A Palmerston farmer has been fined $33,000 after an incident in which a truck driver was left with a skull fracture and significant head injuries. The injuries occurred after a stock loading ramp used to unload sheep from a truck fell on him when its winch system failed. WorkSafe says the October 2017 incident is a reminder that all stock loading ramps should be fitted with an automatic brake winch system to prevent unwinding. The decision said Mr Ashton had not ensured the 250kg-300kg stock loading ramp he owned was without risks to any person. WorkSafe has issued a technical bulletin for owners and users of mobile stock loading ramps available here.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 17, 2019 21:11 UTC