Talley’s has commissioned an independent review in response to allegations resulting from a 1 NEWS investigation.
Talley’s CEO Tony Hazlett confirmed the review after a number of 1 NEWS stories in recent days.
A whistleblower from the company shared images of filthy conditions at the company’s Ashburton factory, while also alleging there were a number of health and safety breaches.
“We will be commencing an independent investigation by a suitably qualified health and safety expert to look specifically at the practices and allegations made regarding the Ashburton plant,” he said.
“The company is in the process of appointing an appropriate reviewer who has the skills and availability to commence that immediately. Part of that review will be setting up a channel where current and former employees can put any safety concerns to the reviewer candidly and anonymously if they would like.
Talley’s is one of New Zealand’s largest food producers.
“We believe an independent and expert review is the best way of addressing these recent allegations.”
Hazlett also welcomed an additional review by WorkSafe, who yesterday said they would take a “close look” at the company’s operations.
He offered “the company’s full cooperation into their review of Talley’s health and safety practices across all sites”.
The confirmation of the independent review comes as another whistleblower told 1 NEWS of their deep concerns over the conveyer system that runs through the Talley’s Ashburton factory.
A former worker has come forward alleging a lack of a crucial line of defence in any conveyer system - emergency stop buttons.
“It's only a matter of time before someone else gets hurt or killed,” the whistleblower, who will be kept anonymous, said.
The emergency stop buttons allow anyone to easily stop a conveyor, if a worker gets trapped in the machine.
“It's pretty sad that I have to think pretty hard to where I've seen any. They're around, there would probably be only 10 or 15 that I know of, and I would have to look for them to find those,” the whistleblower said.
Talley's has repeatedly come under fire for dangerous machines and operations.
Late last year, Talley's were fined more than $300,000 dollars over two separate incidents where migrant workers were caught in exposed nip points on conveyer belts.
A judge noted the hazard was obvious and dangers were "well known", with the failure to guard against them constituting a "long-recognised and fundamental breach".
WorkSafe has released data showing Talley's Group faced formal enforcement action 43 times between 2018 and 2021, including 22 health and safety improvement notices and a recommendation for prosecution.
Experts say the key to improving safety is to simply listen to your employees.
“They're the ones who the job every day, they know better than the supervisors and the leadership team about what actually happens day to day,” Greg Dearsly of First 4 Safety said.
At Talley's, it's claimed the opposite happened with concerns about emergency stops ignored.
“It's been brought up at different times along the whole duration of my time there,” the whistleblower said.
"It all gets mentioned and talked about, and really doesn't get actioned in the manner it should."
Talley's refused to respond to us on those specific questions today as their investigation begins.
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