A Tragedy That Changed a Life Forever

A 23-year-old timber worker, Ethyn McTier, is now relearning how to write and play the guitar after losing two fingers in a machine accident at a Timaru lumberyard. The tragedy struck in July, when he was crushed by an unguarded conveyor belt, a preventable accident that has sparked a nationwide conversation about workplace safety in New Zealand.

McTier's story is one of resilience and determination. Once an aspiring musician, he now faces the challenge of reacquiring skills he had taken for granted. His passion for music, which once brought him joy, now carries a bittersweet weight.

The accident highlights a deeper issue: the lack of proper safety measures in workplaces. The conveyor belt that caused McTier's injuries had no guard, a simple but vital precaution that could have prevented the tragedy. Graham McKean of the Maritime Union described the scene as 'horrific,' noting the emotional impact on McTier's colleagues and the sense of injustice that followed.

Dr. Joe Bain, an expert in workplace safety, has spent years testifying in court and at inquests about preventable accidents. He emphasizes that the solutions to these tragedies are well known, but the implementation is often lacking. 'It’s mostly not malice, but businesses not knowing what 'good looks like,' Bain said.

In response to these ongoing safety failures, New Zealand's Workplace Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden, has launched a consultation aimed at simplifying and modernizing regulations around machine guarding. The current Health and Safety in Employment 1995 Regulations are considered outdated and overly prescriptive, according to van Velden.

However, some industry experts argue that the proposed changes are not going far enough. The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) has partnered with ACC to develop a harm reduction plan, but without funding, implementation has been slow. ACC and Worksafe are also facing financial constraints that limit their programs, despite the high cost of workplace injuries, which now exceed $165 million annually.

Leeann Watson of Business Canterbury believes that the government's recent efforts signal a potential shift in the right direction. However, she and others remain concerned about the lack of clarity and consistency in safety regulations. 'There is no business that I know of that is not wanting to keep their people safe,' Watson said. 'They just want good clarity and good consistency.'

Dr. Bain has long advocated for the adoption of European Type C standards, which provide clear, visual guidance on how to safely operate machinery. He has repeatedly urged the government to adopt these standards, but so far, there has been no sign of action. 'Import Type Cs tomorrow and give them to businesses for free,' Bain has said. 'That’s the message I want to send to the government.'

As the consultation continues, the voices of workers, experts, and industry leaders remain divided. Some see the proposed changes as a step forward, while others warn that without clear, enforceable standards, the cycle of preventable accidents will continue.

For Ethyn McTier, the journey is just beginning. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of inadequate safety measures and the urgent need for change.