Employer Bulletin | 19 June
WorkSafe New Zealand welcomes the guilty pleas from White Island Tours Limited today to charges laid under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, related to their tour operations at Whakaari. Out of the 22 individuals who lost their lives in the volcanic eruption, 19 were customers of White Island Tours, and two were employees.
WorkSafe New Zealand alleges that White Island Tours Limited failed to conduct adequate risk assessments and implement necessary safety measures to minimize the risk of serious injury and death to both tourists and workers. Moreover, the company has admitted to not adequately informing tourists about the hazards and risks associated with visiting Whakaari.
This marks the third party that has pleaded guilty to health and safety failings related to trips to Whakaari. White Island Tours Limited faces charges under several sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
The outcome of these guilty pleas is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing investigation into the Whakaari tragedy, highlighting the importance of ensuring robust safety protocols and thorough risk assessments in tour operations.
In today's Bulletin
- Health and Safety law change to help keep workers safer
- Significant guilty pleas in Whakaari case
- Digital Boost hits another milestone in supporting small businesses to become digitally enabled
- Economy takes knock from Auckland floods and Cyclone
- Five Employment Relations Authority cases and three Bills open for public submission
