A multinational company has been fined $180,000 after a worker caught his arm in a bark-stripping machine which did not have the appropriate safeguards for New Zealand use.

CFGC Forest Managers (CFGC) is a forest management and export company. Its parent company, China Forestry Group New Zealand Company Limited, exports logs from New Zealand to China.

The worker was troubleshooting on the debarking machine when its rollers closed and trapped his wrist. He required surgery and plates put in for a broken arm and a dislocated wrist.

WorkSafe opened an investigation into the June 2021 incident at Northport, which found significant safety modifications were made to the debarker before it was put into use.

However, CFGC did not ensure the debarker met New Zealand safeguarding standards before operation. Nor did CFGC bring in a qualified expert to assess the safeguarding of the machine before it was used.

“It is vital that any business bringing new machinery into the country does its due diligence to bring the equipment into line with New Zealand safety standards. Get the right experts and advice to ensure none of your workers are exposed to the type of danger seen in this incident,” says WorkSafe Area Investigation Manager, Danielle Henry.

“About 80% of acute work-related injuries involve machinery and equipment. Protecting people from machines is a priority for WorkSafe, and we are increasing our focus and enforcement activity in this area.”

In December 2022, Newey Machinery was sentenced for its part in the incident as the subcontractor responsible for operating the machine. The company wasn’t fined due to financial incapacity, but Judge Rzepecky ordered that the victim receive $10,000 in reparations from Newey.