Experience no substitute for risk management

A Safety News article.

The death of a West Coast flooring company employee has drawn a strong warning from WorkSafe for businesses not to rely on the experience of workers in the absence of proper risk identification and management.

In March 2019 an employee of Coastwide Flooring Limited was installing carpet in a Greymouth building using a strong organic solvent-based adhesive. The worker had 17 years’ experience in the industry.

He was found unresponsive by a co-worker and died three days later in Christchurch Hospital’s intensive care unit.

WorkSafe’s Investigations Manager for the South Island, Steve Kelly, says the company had a lax approach to health and safety.

To read more, click here.