Officials might look at possible changes to workplace death investigations

Lincoln Kidd, 20, died in December 2013 on a Horowhenua forestry block. Photo / Horowhenua Chronicle

Officials might investigate calls from the parents of a young forestry worker killed when a tree fell on him to overhaul the way workplace incidents are investigated.

Lincoln Kidd, 20, died in December 2013 on a Horowhenua forestry block when he was crushed by a tree felled by his boss Paul Burr.

Workplace deaths again hit the headlines this week when a man was killed in an explosion at a hazardous materials recycling business.

On Monday Burr was acquitted on a manslaughter charge and after the ground-breaking trial Mr Kidd's parents Lesley and Craig said they wanted police to investigate such deaths straightaway, alongside WorkSafe NZ.

When police weren't involved it felt like the importance of workplace deaths was minimised, the Kidds said.

In their son's case police only came on board later and the manslaughter charge was added after health and safety charges were laid by WorkSafe.

Mr and Mrs Kidd also suggested that WorkSafe investigators should receive the same training as police in areas such as forensics.

A spokesman for WorkSafe said issues raised by the Kidds would be looked at as part of a review of that case.

"This will not occur until after Mr Burr and his former company have been sentenced on the two Health and Safety in Employment Act charges they have pleaded guilty to.

"Until that post-sentencing review is complete, WorkSafe is unable to make any comment."

Police were asked if they planned to become involved in workplace deaths earlier.

"Police can and does already work with a range of other agencies such as Worksafe where appropriate. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature and complexity of the investigation," a police spokeswoman said.

The Kidds' calls have been backed by Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly.

She said the council's lawyers helped Mr and Mrs Kidd raise the possibility of laying a manslaughter charge with police, who she said then responded well.

The manslaughter charge Burr faced was the first laid over a workplace death.