Two investigations will be conducted after a local woman accidentally broke her arm today at the Frankton Transfer Station, operated by Otago Southland Waste Services (OSWS).

“OSWS advised me today that a woman was disposing of waste material from her trailer when she was distracted by another user,” Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said.

Unfortunately the woman lost her footing and fell approximately two metres into a loading pit, resulting in a broken arm.

“An ambulance was called to the station and the woman was taken to the Lakes District Hospital for further attention,” Mr Borowy said. An incident report was prepared by OSWS and had been sent to the Department of Labour and provided to the Council.

“Further investigations will be carried out by OSWS and the department,’ Mr Borowy said.

It was the second time in 10-years that a person had fallen into a loading pit at the transfer station.

“We don’t believe the risk is high but our interest is around identifying if there is a risk and if necessary, mitigating that risk. We will look with interest to the findings of the department,’ he said.

The council wished the woman a speedy recovery.

Meanwhile the transfer station would continue to operate normally.

“As always we would ask that care be taken when disposing of material at transfer stations,” Mr Borowy said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Stefan Borowy 03 441 0499

By: Andrea Bunting