Department to lay charges over Orewa explosion

The Department of Labour is laying charges over the boiler explosion at Orewa College earlier this year.

The explosion killed one person and seriously injured another.

The charges are being laid under the Health and Safety in Employment Act and relate to the failure to take all practicable steps to provide a safe workplace.

The Department will not name either the parties or the specific charges until the charges reach court.

The Department of Labour is working closely with the Ministry of Education on this matter.

Information about health and safety for schools and about boiler safety is available on the Ministry’s website.

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/SchoolOperations/PropertyManagement/StateSchools/SupportingDocs/Section7OperationalPolicies/HealthAndSafety.aspx

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/SchoolOperations/PropertyManagement/StateSchools/SupportingDocs/Section7OperationalPolicies/Boilers.aspx