CONTRACTOR FINED
UNCERTIFICATED MACHINERY. SEQUEL TO AN ACCIDENT. (Per United Press Association.) Nelson, Mar. 29. A case of considerable interest to contractors and others was heard before Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., to-day when the Inspector of Machinery proceeded against W. H. Williamson, a contractor, for using machinery for which a certificate had not been issued. The case arose out of an accident to an employee at the new hospital whereby the victim lost two or three fingers and in consequence of a subsequent inspection of the plant made by the inspector it was found that no license had been issued for the particular machine. Defendant pleaded guilty and explained that through an oversight no license had been obtained. Since the accident the plant had been dismantled. There had been no intention to evade the Act. The inspector said there was no guard over the machine. If the department had been advised when it was erected the use of the machine would have been prohibited until made safe. If the machinery had been inspected the accident would probably not have happened or it would not have been such a serious one. The Magistrate said he was afraid he would have to look upon the offence as a serious one though it should be generally known by contractors and others who use machinery that it had to be inspected by the department. The object was to see that it was safe for workmen. The maximum penalty was £lOO. The inspector had stated that the accident would not have happened if the law had been complied with. He must also take into account that the penalty must be a substantial one as a warning to other tradesmen. A fine of £lO would be imposed with costs £2 3s.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 19831, 30 March 1926, Page 7
Word Count
296CONTRACTOR FINED Southland Times, Issue 19831, 30 March 1926, Page 7
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