Two companies have been fined a total of $60,000 after a worker at a Taranaki oil and gas facility fell into a cellar, fracturing his spine and cutting his shin.
The worker fell more than three metres after a grating covering the cellar gave way, as the clips used to secure it were missing.
NZEC Wiahapa Limited, which operates the facility, was fined $30,000 in the Hawera District Court today and ordered to pay $10,000 in reparation.
The man was contracted to work at the site by Vause Wireline, which was also fined $30,000.
