The death of a man at a workplace in Otorohanga, and the subsequent sentencing of his former employer, have sparked calls for small businesses in New Zealand to plan high-risk, ad-hoc work.

Mitchell Pool was crushed to death while moving a 1.84T press brake into a workshop at Peter Gray Engineering in December 2023.

The work area had not been fully prepared for the move, which meant the press brake could not be moved using a forklift. Instead, the team of workers used moving skates, a stacker, and a farm jack.

During the move, one of the skates caught in a crack in the concrete floor, causing the machine to become unstable, fall, and fatally crush 31-year-old Pool.

Last month, following the fatality, Peter Gray Engineering Limited was sentenced in Te Kuiti District Court.

Judge Gordon Matenga ordered reparations of NZ$140,000.04 (USD80,360.72) and imposed a fine of NZ$9,000 (USD5,166.05).

WorkSafe New Zealand says the tragedy highlights a risk seen too often in small workplaces: jobs that fall outside day-to-day routines are carried out without enough planning, the right equipment, or clear safety controls.

“This case shows why small businesses need to treat non routine work as high risk,” says WorkSafe New Zealand’s central regional manager, Nigel Formosa.

“Know the load, use equipment that’s fit for purpose, set the job up so safer methods can be used, stop and reassess when things change, and keep people well clear of crush zones.”