24 Feb 2015

Council admits mower death safety breach

12:32 pm on 24 February 2015

The Hastings District Council has admitted a workplace safety breach in relation to the death of a four year old boy who was run over by a tractor mower.

The boy was killed in Kirkpatrick Park in October 2013.

The council initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of breaching workplace safety laws, but has now changed its plea to guilty, after a discussion with WorkSafe.

It said it accepted it failed to take all practicable steps to make sure its employee did not act in a way which could harm another person.

The council said since the accident, it had reviewed operating procedures for all mower operators and improved training and supervision.