Company to pay $110,000 to family

A Gisborne company has been fined $35,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $75,000 to the family of a worker who died during a power pole incident.

Woodford Holdings, owned by a husband and wife, pleaded guilty in the Gisborne District Court to failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of Roger Broughton.

Mr Broughton died while working with co-owner Barry Woodford for Eastland Network replacing wooden power poles with concrete ones.

Woodford was responsible for isolating, testing and earthing the site, said Department of Labour prosecutor Renee Riddell-Garner.

But Woodford cut just five of a bundle of six jumpers (wires) and failed to test or earth the site.