WorkSafe’s actions are under question after it sent police to carry out a scene examination, rather than a specialist investigator, following the death of Jason Rawiri (42) who was struck by a falling tree at Ngātapa near Gisborne on October 14.
Worker advocates are questioning whether police have the necessary expertise to gather evidence from a forestry fatality site to support a potential prosecution, and have labelled WorkSafe's actions disrespectful to the victim and his whānau.
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Michael Wood, has said he wants an explanation about WorkSafe's decision: "WorkSafe works with the wider system to ensure investigations are completed to a high standard. However, it is important that the agency communicates effectively with victims and their families so they are informed and understand the investigation process."
Work is underway to update regulations for plants and structures, including forestry sites, he says..
"This will help operators ensure their sites are operating to a high standard, protecting workers and visitors. It is important that the forestry industry reflects on their safety record and what more they can do to keep people safe," says the Minister.
Police Investigations Acting Director Inspector, Geoff Jago, says police and WorkSafe work together and share information on investigations under an agreed memorandum of understanding.
"It is not unusual for WorkSafe and police to conduct investigations in tandem," he says. "Police's role at the scene of a workplace death, including deaths in the forestry sector, is to coordinate and preserve evidence, and to manage experts as needed in order to gather the information needed to support both the police and WorkSafe investigations."
WorkSafe has defended its actions, saying it reviewed material provided to police before releasing the accident site back to contractors to ensure appropriate information was collected. It has opened an inquiry into the accident and says police were not carrying out the formal investigation.
