Photo: File image / SuppliedWest Coast ratepayers will not be in the gun for the hefty fine imposed on its former joint venture, Pest Control Research, after one of its workers in Christchurch was poisoned by 1080. The Canterbury company was prosecuted by WorkSafe NZ and fined $275,000 at the Christchurch District Court last week after an employee inhaled toxic vapour during the manufacture of 1080 poison in May 2019. Council chair Allan Birchfield said the council still had a half-share in the company at the time of the accident and was informed of it. The council surrendered its half-share in PCR last year, but retained ownership of the Rolleston building the company rents from the council. Health and Safety requirements were ignored and workers were exposed to a highly toxic vapour from a failure in the manufacturing process, the court heard.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 03, 2021 20:37 UTC