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WorkSafe New Zealand has officially begun an investigation into work health and safety at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park in the lead up to last month\u2019s fatal landslide.<\/p>\n
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Six people died after a section of Mauao hillside collapsed, sending a landslide into the holiday park and Mount Hot Pools about 9.30am on January 22.<\/p>\n
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WorkSafe\u2019s announcement today followed the completion of the recovery operation by police on February 1.<\/p>\n
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WorkSafe central regional manager Nigel Formosa said the organisation had taken time to be clear about what sat within its remit.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOur investigation will focus on work\u2011related matters prior to the landslide.”<\/p>\n
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This included establishing whether there had been a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 by businesses and organisations related to the operation of the holiday park.<\/p>\n
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WorkSafe would utilise technical experts and gather information from a range of sources.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOur team is focused on understanding the decisions and circumstances that shaped the work environment at the holiday park before the landslide,\u201d Formosa said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019re committed to carrying out a careful, methodical investigation that stays grounded in evidence and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, for the victims and their wh\u0101nau.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis will take time, but it\u2019s important we complete a thorough investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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WorkSafe had already started to engage with Tauranga City Council as the operator of the holiday park, and the roles of other parties would also be considered in coming months.<\/p>\n
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