$25K for stevedore who broke both legs

The stevedore was working for the Ports of Auckland when he fell while trying to dislodge a stuck twist-lock on the top of a two-container stack. Photo / NZME.

A stevedore who broke both legs in a fall while unloading a container ship in January will receive $25,000 in reparation from Ports of Auckland.

The company was also fined $55,000 after admitting a charge laid by Maritime New Zealand of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure safety of an employee.

Ports of Auckland (POAL) was sentenced in the Auckland District Court today.

The stevedore was working on the Lica Maersk when he fell while trying to dislodge a stuck twist-lock on the top of a two-container stack.

He hit a crane beam and the wharf before landing in the water, where he was left for 15 minutes because of the difficulty of reaching him in a narrow space.

The man broke both legs, fractured three vertebrae, 10 ribs, his sternum, two tendons in his hand and lacerated his lung.

He was hospitalised for three months, and is unlikely to work again as a stevedore.

No safety rail was in place where he was working. POAL had not told stevedores to stop using unlocking poles to remove twist-locks, despite identifying that they were hazardous.

Maritime NZ director Keith Manch said the sentence reflected the seriousness of the incident.

"There were multiple failings of procedures and communication in this case and the long-term effects for the injured man have been devastating," Mr Manch said.

"All workers have the right to safe workplaces and to go home healthy at the end of the day."