WorkSafe says explosion that seriously burned a forklift driver was avoidableBy Penny Smith of RNZWorkSafe says an explosion that put a forklift driver in hospital for nine weeks could have been avoided with basic safety controls. The worker was seriously burned when several condemned, 9kg gas bottles exploded and the forklift the worker was driving caught fire in March 2024 at Tank Test in Papatoetoe, Auckland. The company was fined more than $300,000, including reparations of $5000, in a reserved decision of the Manukau District Court. In sentencing Tank Test, Judge Gus Andrée Wiltens described the hazard as “clear and obvious”. He noted the company could have eliminated the risk at no cost by ensuring forklift and degassing operations never happened at the same time.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 07, 2026 04:14 UTC