A widow has spoken to Thames District Court about the death of her truck driver husband – whose May 2023 death in an accident highlighted a number of health and safety failures.
Greg Stevens, 59, died after his logging truck rolled as he tried to negotiate a tight bend on a road which was part of a wood lot harvest operation run by Forest 360.
The road had no warnings signs, road markers or berms, and its sharp corner was well outside any recommended specifications for the heavy vehicle he was driving, according to WorkSafe.
The court found the wet surfaces, mud-caked tyres, darkness, and a steep downhill approach made the bend even more dangerous.
In a victim impact statement in court, Caroline Stevens, Greg’s widow, said: “Greg’s death was preventable.”
“If those companies had done what they should have done, my Greg would still be with me today.
“Greg’s death has left both mine, and the lives of our families in limbo. Only someone who has experienced a loss like this in such tragic and horrible circumstances will ever understand.”
She hoped her husband’s death would serve as a reminder to prioritise safety in the workplace, “so no other family has to endure this trauma”.
“My plea is simple: let our loved ones come home from work safely.”
The forest owner, Specialty Timbers (1987) Limited, and the transport contractor, Trevor Masters Limited, have been sentenced for the health and safety failures.
Reparations of $171,258 were ordered, alongside a combined fine of $26,250. Both companies had previously been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
WorkSafe said Judge Tompkins found each party had assumed someone else had ensured the road was safe, so nobody took responsibility.
The forest managers, Forest360 Limited, separately had entered into an enforceable understanding, or a binding agreement, with WorkSafe to invest over $400,000 in a range of safety actions in response to the death.
WorkSafe said forestry is a priority due to a fatality rate 20 times higher than the average for all sectors, with a role to influence businesses and workers to meet their responsibilities to keep people healthy and safe.
WorkSafe northern regional manager Brad Duggan said: “No log is worth a life”.
“Forestry operators must understand that managing forestry roads isn't optional. If you're moving heavy vehicles through difficult terrain, you need proper risk assessment, proper consultation, and proper controls.
“If you're not sure your roads are up to standard, stop and check before the next truck goes out.”
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