Company fined over worker’s fire injury

Press, 6 October 1988, Page 22

Company fined over worker’s fire injury

PA Auckland A labourer was engulfed in flames after sparks from gas-cutting equipment ignited petrol which he was using to dissolve polystyrene on a city building site, the District Court at Auckland was told. Angus Construction, Ltd, of Auckland was fined a total of $l2OO for two breaches of the Construction Act. The company pleaded guilty to failing to take precautions to ensure the safety of workmen at a central Auckland site, on or about July 13. It was fined $lOOO. Admitting it failed to deliver or post a written z notice of an accident in which serious injury was caused within 48 hours of the mishap, the company was fined $2OO. Ms Shona Anderson, prosecuting, told Judge Rushton that an Angus labourer. Mr Bruce

Bougen, suffered severe burns to the arms when about 70 litres of petrol he used to dissolve polystyrene slabs caught fire. There was an explosion about 3.30 p.m. and Mr Bougen was enveloped in flames. The explosion also ignited a leaking joint on a natural gas main and fire engines had to be called. Ms Anderson said using petrol to dissolve expanded polystyrene slabs was contrary to safe building practice. The proper way to remove it was with non-inflammable substances. An inspector who went to the site five days later to investigate a rumour about an accident was given a copy of a supervisor’s report. The construction safety inspector received no written notice on the prescribed form within 48 hours. Ms Sue Simons, for the

company, said Mr Bougen’s foreman told him to try two cans of petrol with the polystyrene, which was buried two metres and difficult to reach. When told no petrol was available, the foreman advised him to try diesel, but Mr Bougen went to the stores officer, obtained a vehicle and credit card and went to a service station for petrol. Ms Simons said the worker managed to use his initiative in a manner which contributed to the explosion. Since the accident, the company had taken extensive measures to ensure worker safety, including employing two full-time safety officers. Judge Rushton said she was concerned the company told Mr Bougen to use petrol, because it was clearly unsafe and that there was insufficient, qualified and informed supervision.