Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Company told to improve safety after driver crushed

Updated at 9:17 pm on 13 June 2012

The Department of Labour says the serious injuries suffered by a truck driver who was crushed by a falling crate at an Auckland company could have been prevented.

The company, Sealed Air, has been fined more than $30,000 and ordered to pay further reparations to the truck driver.

The driver was making a delivery to the packaging company in May last year when a crate fell on him causing fractures to his spine, pelvis and ankle, as well as lacerations to his spleen and kidney.

He had to spend three-and-a-half months in hospital recovering and still needs medical treatment.

The department's northern general manager, John Howard, says the injuries could have easily been prevented if the company had had a safety zone for truck drivers.

Sealed Air has already paid reparations of more than $37,000 and has now been ordered to top it up to $40,000.

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