Firms prosecuted over skylight death

The Labour Department is prosecuting two companies following the death of a worker who fell through a skylight.

Robin Angus Campbell, 57, died after falling 6.5m through a skylight at Golden Stock Foods Limited in Ashburton, where he was working as a contractor in August.

Department chief advisor for health and safety Mike Cosman said Mr Campbell was the employee of a contractor who had been employed to work on the ventilation system at the factory.

"The Department is prosecuting the employer of the deceased -- South Island Seed Dressing and Storage Company Limited -- for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of their employee while he was at work," Mr Cosman said.

"The Department is also prosecuting the employer of another employee working on the site, SPM Limited, for exposing the employee to the same risk of a fall that the victim experienced."

Mr Cosman said as the matter was before the courts he would make no further comment until a decision had been made.

The maximum fine for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee while at work is $250,000.

- NZPA