'These vats had reached boiling point on many occasions, putting workers at risk of serious harm'
Heinz Wattie’s Limited has appeared in the Hastings District Court after a boiling solution burned a kitchen worker’s lower legs.
The vat used to manufacture brine solution for use in various food products at the company’s Hastings factory boiled over in May 2017.
The employee attempted to turn the machine off at a wall switch near the vat, however the boiling brine overflowed and entered the worker’s gumboots, causing severe burns.
A WorkSafe investigation found these vats had boiled over on numerous occasions in the past, resulting in burns to another worker on one occasion.
Moreover, Heinz Wattie’s was aware that the vats were likely to boil over if left unattended.
The company was also aware that this was capable of causing serious injury to workers, however Heinz Wattie’s failed to ensure the health and safety of its workers.
The investigation also found the liquid entered the worker’s boots because the worker was not provided with adequate personal protective equipment, and had not been given proper supervision or training.
Heinz Wattie’s Limited was fined $281,250 and ordered to pay reparation of $50,000 to the victim.
Heinz Wattie’s Limited “should have known better”, according to the Head of Specialist Interventions, Simon Humphries.
“These vats had reached boiling point on many occasions, putting workers at risk of serious harm,” said Humphries.
“Our investigation found workers were simply told to avoid vats when they boiled over.”
Humphries added that Heinz Wattie’s should have had effective controls in place to eliminate the known risk to its workers.
“When you know there’s a problem, the law requires you to fix it. They didn’t and that is simply not acceptable.”
