Salters Cartage Limited and its owner, Ronald Salter, have been ordered to pay $4 million following the tragic 2015 death of Jamey Bowring, a 24-year-old worker who was killed in an explosion at the company’s Wiri site.
The High Court ruling came after the police commissioner filed for civil forfeiture under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act (CPRA), stating that Salter’s business financially benefited from not adhering to safety regulations concerning hazardous substances.
The case was originally set for a seven-week trial, but a settlement was reached through discussions between the involved parties.
Bowring’s mother, Sarah Ferguson told media Salter’s conduct had a cause of frustration, stating that his negligence and disregard for safety were unacceptable.
Detective Inspector Lloyd Schmid said the case was unique due to its aggravating circumstances, including the hazardous conditions that led to Bowring’s death.
He noted that while police do not intend to apply civil forfeiture laws regularly to workplace safety violations, this case warranted such action.
Schmid also reassured businesses that police will evaluate similar cases individually in the future.
