A Whangaparaoa boat building company has been fined $30,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall in February this year.
The company was sentenced in the North Shore District Court in Auckland on Thursday.
As well as fining Brin Wilson Boat Builders, the court also ordered the company to pay the worker $15,000 in reparation.
The employee injured his head and face and broke his wrist when he fell three metres after reaching for a handrail that was not there.
The rail had been removed for cleaning while the boat was in dry dock for maintenance.
The northern health and safety manager for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says the hazards of falls are well documented and there are many guidelines both generally and more specifically for the boat building industry.
John Howard says all employers and their staff who work at height should read the guidelines and take precautions - because doing nothing is not an option.
