A Taranaki recyling company has admitted two charges in New Plymouth District Court over an accident in which a man's legs were sheared off in a baler.
The company faces fines of up to $500,000.
As a production manager at Taranaki Recyclers, Ben Hekenui had to ensure continuous processing of waste arriving at the plant.
Last April, he climbed a conveyer belt to clear cardboard blocking the feed to a baling machine - a practice described as common.
Mr Hekenui fell into the baler and a hydraulic ram was activated. His lower legs were sliced off - one above and one below the knee.
LGC, the company operating as Taranaki Recyclers, on Thursday admitted to failing to take all practicable steps to protect employees and failing to ensure systematic hazard identification.
The company will be sentenced in March.
Mr Hekenui, a former Manawatu and Central Falcons rugby league representative player, is continuing physiotherapy on artificial legs and aims to compete at the Paralympic Games.
