Helicopter tour operators plead guilty to health and safety failings

Three helicopter tour operators involved in the deadly Whakaari / White Island eruption in 2019 have plead guilty to health and safety failings, according to WorkSafe NZ.

Volcanic Air Safaris Limited, Kahu NZ Limited, and Aerius Limited operated tours to the Whakaari / White Island when it erupted in 2019, killing 22 people either from the explosion or from injuries sustained following the blast.

Among the casualties were two employees of White Island, according to WorkSafe NZ. Nineteen customers were also from the operator, while another one was a customer of Volcanic Air.

WorkSafe charged the helicopter operators in November 2020, now amended, but did not relate the charges to the eruption or the rescue and recovery efforts after.

According to WorkSafe, the three operators were charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 for failing to comply with their duty to ensure the safety of employees and other people.

Radio New Zealand, citing the summary of facts, reported that Volcanic Air and Aerius had inadequate emergency procedures as a result of their failures to assess the risk.

The summary also said Kahu's emergency procedure was also inadequate for relying on pilots not being injured so they can conduct an evacuation.

All companies had inadequate gas masks and failed to inform tourists of the risks, according to the summary as cited by the RNZ report.

Last minute guilty plead

The three operators entered guilty pleas at the Auckland District Court on Friday, according to WorkSafe NZ.

"These pleas acknowledge the processes that should have been in place to look after people's health and safety on the day Whakaari erupted," said WorkSafe Chief Executive Phil Parkes in a statement.

The guilty plea came following a near 12-month investigation, and as trial was set to begin against them this week.

They add to the growing list of defendants who plead guilty to the case, including flight operator Inflite, GNS Science, and White Island Tours.

Six others, however, are still facing charges, including the island's owners, for failing to ensure the health and safety of workers and others.