5 Sep 2010

$180,000 penalty after death of contractor

9:39 am on 5 September 2010

Fulton Hogan has been fined $80,000 for ignoring safety rules that led to the death of a contractor in an explosion.

Last year, a Greymouth man was killed as he welded the top of a tank containing flammable bitumen, causing fumes to ignite and the tank to explode.

In Greymouth District Court, a judge also ordered Fulton Hogan to pay reparation of $100,000, after the company earlier admitted it did not take all practicable steps to ensure safety.

The Department of Labour, which brought the charges, says Fulton Hogan knew the risks, but did not tell the welder to stop work.