'No question' quarries need tighter regulation - PM

The scene of the digger accident. Photo / Westpac Rescue Christchurch

New Zealand's quarry industry, underfire this week after a digger driver was killed while operating illegally, will become better regulated under proposed health and safety reforms, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Health and safety regulator WorkSafe confirmed yesterday that quarry owner Murray Taylor, who was buried under 1500 tonnes of rock on Monday, had not gained the qualification needed to operate his lime quarry in North Canterbury. Four people have died in quarries since 2010.

WorkSafe also said it did not yet have a full register of quarries in New Zealand - believed to number at least 850 - or know whether their staff had fulfilled new requirements to upgrade their "certificates of competence".

There is "no question" that quarries need tighter health and safety regulation, Mr Key said today.

However, putting them in the same category as underground mines was unhelpful, given how different they are, he said.

"We are going to pass new legislation, it will have an impact of improving health and safety standards right across New Zealand, from quarries to, quite frankly, corner dairies, but we have to make sure we get in place the right sort of provisions, otherwise people won't follow them and that just makes a worse situation."

Police and WorkSafe investigations into Mr Taylor's death are continuing.

The quarry site, which is now subject to a prohibition notice, and equipment was officially handed over to WorkSafe last night.

The death has been referred to the coroner.

Mr Taylor's family has asked for privacy.

In a family statement released through police today, the family remembered Mr Taylor as a "loved and dearly treasured man".

They thanked police and the recovery team for their "constant hard work and care throughout this difficult time".

Worksafe general manager of high hazards and specialist services Brett Murray said the investigative process would take some time.

"It will not be until that is concluded that we will consider what steps should then be taken," he said.

"WorkSafe will be reviewing in our investigation the role that every party connected to this tragedy has played."

The prohibition notice issued by WorkSafe will remain in place until the high hazards unit is "satisfied that the site presents no danger to anyone on the site and there is an appropriately qualified manager on site to manage operations".