A Tragic Loss and a Call for Accountability

A devastating workplace accident at a Timaru lumberyard has led to a landmark legal ruling, with the company and its director ordered to pay $450,000 in fines and reparation to the family of a 23-year-old worker, Ethyn McTier, who was tragically crushed to death. The incident, which occurred on 1 November 2022, has sparked a broader conversation about workplace safety and corporate responsibility.

Ethyn McTier's family described him as a gentle, kind-hearted individual who was the emotional anchor of their household. His death left an irreplaceable void, and his family expressed their gratitude that the company, Point Lumber, and its director, Sean David Sloper, were held accountable for their role in the tragedy. However, the pain of losing him remains immeasurable.

The incident took place at the Point Lumber facility in Timaru, where Ethyn was working when he became trapped in a conveyor belt drive roller. A subsequent investigation by WorkSafe revealed numerous safety violations, including a lack of guarding along the conveyor belt and a failure to conduct a risk assessment. Notably, the company had previously been advised in 2017 to implement safety measures for the conveyor belt but had ignored these recommendations.

In the May court hearing, Judge Dominic Dravitzki considered a total penalty of over $600,000 but ultimately reduced the fines to $250,000 for the company and $60,000 for Sloper, with an additional $140,000 allocated for reparation to McTier’s family. The decision came after the court heard that the company faced financial losses and that a heavier penalty could threaten its viability.

The McTier family emphasized that Ethyn's death was entirely preventable and urged employers to take workplace safety more seriously. They expressed hope that the case would serve as a wake-up call for other companies to implement proper safety protocols and prevent similar tragedies. Ethyn's mother, father, and sister delivered deeply emotional victim impact statements in court, describing how his death has irreparably affected their lives and shattered their family dynamic.