KEY POINTS:
Toll NZ operator has pleaded not guilty to breaching the Health and Safety Act, after Interislander ferry crew members were exposed to a hazardous substance spilled during a stormy Cook Strait crossing.
Maritime New Zealand has brought the prosecution after crew on the Aratere were asked to load the rail deck following a silica dioxide spill.
The silica dioxide - a type of builder's plaster - had spilt from a container during a crossing in March last year when the ferry twice tipped by 50 degrees.
After the crossing, contractors cleaned up the spill, but there was still some of the substance remaining on the deck when crew were asked to load the vessel for its return sailing to Wellington.
Maritime NZ spokesman Steve Corbett said some crew who had been exposed to the silica dioxide suffered harm, but he couldn't give details of because the matter was before the courts.
At a status hearing in Wellington District Court today the case was adjourned until February 28 for a full hearing date to be set.
- NZPA
