A major South Canterbury agribusiness has been sentenced following the death of a worker crushed by a hydraulic tailgate inside a farm shed.
Louis van Heerden, 45, was killed at Turley Farms Limited near Temuka in March 2022 while working as a spotter during the unloading of grass seed. He was standing at the back of a dark, narrow shed when the hydraulic tailgate of a trailer closed on him.
A WorkSafe New Zealand investigation found the farm had no clear plan for managing vehicle movements inside its sheds, and workers should not have been permitted in such a restricted space.
The company charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and sentenced at Timaru District Court on February 13, receiving a fine of $247,500 and reparation orders totalling $201,477.
“Farmers are tempting fate if they think traffic only needs to be managed outdoors. Without a clear plan for how vehicles and people move around indoor barns and sheds, it’s only a matter of time before something goes terribly wrong,” WorkSafe area investigation manager Steve Kelly says.
“This is a good reminder to take a critical look at how tractors and other vehicles move around inside farm buildings.
“Clear separation of vehicles and pedestrians is the key component. Signage and designated safe areas are also simple and inexpensive ways to boost safety – especially when compared to a conviction and a fine,” Kelly says.
Since the fatality, Turley Farms has introduced safety measures including reversing cameras, closing alarms, and isolation valves on its trailers.
WorkSafe has identified agriculture as a priority sector under its new safety strategy, as farm vehicles remain one of the leading causes of workplace deaths and injuries.
Although only six per cent of New Zealand’s workforce is employed in agriculture, the sector accounts for 25 per cent of serious workplace harm cases.
WorkSafe is urging farmers to review their safety protocols inside barns and sheds and has published guidance on safe tipping practices and managing workplace traffic to prevent further tragedies.
