Charges Laid Following Fatal Gas Explosion In Onehunga

The Department of Labour has laid five charges against two parties in the Auckland District Court today in relation to the fatal gas explosion in Onehunga in June this year.

The charges have been laid under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 following the workplace accident on 4 June 2011.

“This investigation was the result of a tragic accident that claimed one life, and left others injured,” says John Howard the Department’s Northern General Manager.

“There are too many people dying and being injured at work and the Department is committed to bringing down this toll.

“Our investigation was very thorough and looked at whether the legal obligations were complied with, what caused the accident and what can be done to prevent this happening in the future,” Mr Howard says.

Now that charges have been laid the Department will not provide further information, and will not be giving interviews.