Board of trustees charged over fatal boiler explosion

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The board of trustees of an Auckland school has entered no plea to two charges over a fatal boiler explosion in June last year.

Orewa College caretaker Richard Nel died after receiving burns to 90 percent of his body, while contractor Robin Tubman is still recovering from serious injuries.

The board is charged under the Health and Safety in Employment Act with failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee, and failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that no workplace hazard harms an employee of a contractor.

It entered no plea to the charges, which were laid by the Department of Labour in North Shore District Court in December last year.

The trial has been adjourned until March 30.

Orewa board of trustees chairman Phil Pickford said last year the school would defend the charge "vigorously and rigorously".

- NZPA