Lines company faces $250k fine over workplace death

Tenix Alliance faces a fine of up to $250,000 after a linesman Chris Petersen, an EPMU member, was killed while working on a 400-volt power line in New Plymouth last year.

The company pleaded guilty last week in the New Plymouth District Court on three charges of breaching the Health and Safety Employment Act and will be sentenced on July 16.

In its plea Tenix Alliance admitted it failed to take all practicable steps to ensure Petersen's safety and failed to ensure there were effective methods in place for identifying existing hazards.

Petersen's widow, Annette, told the Taranaki Daily News she was pleased with the guilty pleas. "It has been a really traumatic time and a really long 10 months on the children and I. The end result, that they have pleaded guilty, has made us a lot happier as a family."