WorkSafe New Zealand is warning port companies to ensure fault recording systems such as tip alarms are properly monitored following Ports of Auckland’s sentencing over the death straddle operator Laboom Dyer.
Dyer was loading and unloading containers on to ships, using a straddle carrier. While attempting to carry out a U-turn, the straddle fell to its side. He later died in hospital from serious injuries sustained in the August 2019 incident.
WorkSafe area manager Danielle Henry says the WorkSafe investigation found the port was not implementing safe procedures off the back of alarmingly high tip alarm rates.
“When straddles took corners too fast, a tip alarm would signal. The Port was receiving reports at the time of the incident which showed tip alarms were being activated regularly, yet weren’t acting on the concerns raised as a result of those tip alarm activations.”
Henry says while the risk of tipping was known, Ports of Auckland failed to effectively monitor and address critical tip alarm activations.
“The Ports also had a bonus system in place which rewarded drivers for productivity. While it was conditional on health and safety compliance, the Ports had done nothing to promote safe driving and counteract any incentive to achieve greater productivity at the expense of safety.”
Henry also noted the driver was not wearing a seatbelt when the incident occurred.
“Our investigation found the Ports of Auckland had failed to monitor compliance with fundamental safety requirements”.
At the Auckland District Court on December 4, Ports of Auckland pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to comply with a duty that exposes individual(s) to a risk of death or serious injury, an offence against section 48 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
It was fined $540,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $136,000 to the victim’s family. It has also previously supported Laboom’s family with funeral and other costs.
In a statement, Ports of Auckland says Dyer was “a much loved colleague”.
“Since the accident we have made changes to improve training, as well as implementing better monitoring and management of straddle tip alarm activations and of driver behaviour, in particular with regards to the use of mobile phones in straddles and the wearing of seatbelts.
“We offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Laboom’s family and friends. We understand how much pain his loss has caused, and profoundly regret what has happened,” the company says.
