Fonterra to pay dead worker's family $116k

A year after a New Plymouth man was fatally crushed at a local Fonterra factory, a court has ordered the dairy giant to pay $116,000 to his family.

Theo Rangihuna Blake, 52, died on January 17 last year after being crushed by hydraulic packaging machinery at Fonterra's Whareroa plant near Hawera.

He received critical injuries to his head and torso and died in hospital soon afterwards.

Fonterra admitted a charge of failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees and was fined $73,000, in addition to the $116,000 reparation, in Hawera District Court today.

Judge Allan Roberts said the company had apologised to Mr Blake's family and was remorseful. The maximum fine Fonterra was liable for was $250,000.

A summary of facts said there had been previous accidents involving the machinery in question - a palletiser - and Fonterra had assessed its safety and at the time of the incident was looking at ways to improve it.

The company had since made safety improvements to all of its palletisers, including adding protective guarding.

Fonterra was ordered to pay $100,000 reparation to specified family members for emotional harm caused by the incident and another $16,000 to cover costs including the funeral.

Fonterra said another $100,000 in insurance was due to be paid to Mr Blake's estate.

Mr Blake was described by friends after his death as an easy-going and friendly man who got along with everyone.

He enjoyed horse racing and playing pool in his spare time and at his workplace was considered one of the more experienced staffers to be operating a palletiser.

- NZPA