Vigil highlights work safety

Shane Frater's mother, Jenni Frater (left), widow Deborah McMillan and Deborah's 8-year-old daughter, Skyla Frater, want safety at work to be paramount. Photo / Warren Buckland

Jenni Frater is still angry at the Government six years after her son's death at work.

Shane Frater was 28 when he died in a forestry accident near Napier in 2009.

Mr Frater worked for C&R Logging and was on the job in Rayonier Forest when he was hit by a tree branch as it slid down a hill.

The incident raised concerns for his family about the safety of workers in the forestry industry.

Mrs Frater, a trainee truck driver from Hastings, said her son did not have to die at work.

"It should have been a safe job but it wasn't. Nothing's changed in the industry, it's just as bad as when Shane died," she said. "Workers don't have to die at work."

A vigil was held yesterday on Marine Parade's beachfront to commemorate those who had tragically lost their lives at work. There were 291 white crosses to represent the 291 lives lost in the workplace since the Pike River disaster in 2010 and Prime Minister John Key's promise to improve work-safety laws.

Mrs Frater, with Mr Frater's widow Deborah and his 8-year-old daughter Skyla, are making a stand to show the Government they will not be silenced.

"What really sucks is what happened after he died. The company wound down and started up as a new company. The Government didn't even have a record of my son's death. What an insult.

"He was special. He worked hard and I was proud of him for it."

Mrs Frater said his death had a major impact on her grand-daughter.

"She's really emotional and has counselling. This is something Mr Key needs to see. The impact a workplace death has is huge."

Mr Frater's widow, Deborah McMillan, said everyone had the right to come home safe after work.

Mrs McMillan was in Parliament last Thursday when a watered-down version of the law was debated.

"Shane's death was heart-breaking," she said. "I felt it break again when I realised the Government was using the Pike River tragedy as an excuse to water down health and safety law."

The Health and Safety Reform Bill passed its second reading 63 votes to 58 last week.

Proposed changes include removing worker-elected health and safety representatives from low-risk small businesses. The Government will announce which businesses are high-risk before the bill's final vote mid-August.

Mr Frater's daughter, Skyla, had a message for the Prime Minister: "I love my daddy so, so much and I want John Key to make changes right now."