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.