Logger arrested after worker killed.

[Ianab]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10455485/Arrest-following-logging-death

A Horowhenua man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter following the death of a man during a logging operation.

Lincoln Kidd, 20, was killed on December 19, 2013, while he and colleagues felled tress on a forestry block on State Highway 1 near Levin. Police say he was struck by a falling tree.

Police announced this afternoon a 46-year-old from the Horowhenua had been charged with manslaughter. He also faced workplace health and safety charges by WorkSafe NZ.

"There have been investigations by WorkSafe NZ and Police that involved an extensive inquiry phase and a large number of witness statements were taken, and legal advice was sought," Levin CIB Detective Sergeant Peter Vine said.

"Throughout this process we have remained in frequent contact with Mr Kidd's family and we have met with them recently to communicate the next steps in our investigation."

The 46-year-old will appear in the Levin District Court tomorrow.

Short on details as the case is now before the courts and police wont comment on details in that situation. But usually accidents like that only involve workplace safety charges. Must have been something spectacularly dumb.  :-\

[drobertson]

Working conditions are very difficult for young folks to deal with.  It is very hard at times for these young folks to speak up when they are not sure what is right and wrong. Or the macho thing steps in and bad things just happen.  this is a very sad day for all those folks for sure, especially the family of the one that passed.   

[Ianab]

A few more details after the first court appearance.

Seems the guy was using a mechanical harvester to fell trees, while a ground crew was limbing, too closely. He dropped a tree and it hit one of the crew. I think it's normal practice not to have anyone on the ground within X metre of a harvester while it's working?

Ian

[WDH]

Exactly.  Two tree lengths is commonly specified. 

[Magicman]

That is a tragedy.  It would seem much easier for the ground guy to see the harvester than vice-verse.  Still a life was lost.   :-\

[barbender]

I can't remember the distance the decals our machines state, but I'm thinking 300'. I would never want to be working on the ground anywhere near one. This is very sad.

[drobertson]

High speed, low drag more often than not will produce the wrong outcome.  Over confindence is and always has been a set back for so many.  A very sad story for sure.

[luvmexfood]

Criminal charges in coal mining accidents used to be unheard of here in the coalmines of central Applachia.
Now if it is proven that safety checks were being "pencil whipped" or something of that nature where their is clear disregard for safety then charges may be brought. As they should be.

[thecfarm]

The stroke of the pen will get you,sooner or later.

[Corley5]

  300' is what the decals say on my machine.  The operator can't necessarily keep track of where the ground crew is.  They should stay well away from the machine.  I tell my guys if they need to talk to me and can't reach me on my cell phone to approach from the cab side of the machine and make sure that I see and acknowledge that I see them and then wait for me to ground the head and shut the machine down before coming any closer.