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WorkSafe Declines Action in Ashburton Microwave Incident

9/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

WorkSafe New Zealand will not intervene in the August 7 incident involving an Ashburton District Council staff member who threw a microwave from a balcony outside Ashburton Library & Civic Centre.
The microwave glowed and smoked; a staff member reported a strong smell of smoke.
The staff member removed the microwave and threw it over the balcony after confirming no one below.

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Story summary

WorkSafe New Zealand will not intervene in the August 7 incident involving an Ashburton District Council staff member who threw a microwave from a balcony outside Ashburton Library & Civic Centre.
The microwave glowed and smoked; a staff member reported a strong smell of smoke.
The staff member removed the microwave and threw it over the balcony after confirming no one below.