Worksafe New Zealand will continue to investigate the death of a Southland man seriously injured at a Christmas party.
Robin Lloyd (50), of Winton, a truck driver for Southern Transport Logging, received serious head injuries when he was struck by a vehicle at the company's Winton depot about 10.50pm on December 19.
He died in Dunedin Hospital 10 days later and his funeral was held in Invercargill on Monday. WorkSafe was initially alerted to the incident because it occurred at a workplace and continued to be involved, a spokesman said yesterday.
He would not say whether New Zealand's Health and Safety in Employment Act specifically covered activities at social functions held outside work hours. Because the investigation was under way, no further comment would be made at this stage, he said.
Southern Transport Logging is one of several fuel, transport, concrete and contracting companies owned by the HW Richardson Group, of Invercargill.
The company has launched its own investigation and police have also begun a criminal investigation focusing on the alleged misuse of a hire van in a work building.
Richardson Group specialised transport general manager Dale Cocker said yesterday he welcomed WorkSafe's continued involvement after a ''grey area'' about whether it could investigate incidents which happened outside work hours.
The function was attended by staff from Southern Transport Logging and another Winton company, CraigPine Timber Ltd, plus clients of both companies, he said.
Mr Cocker said Mr Lloyd, a bachelor who had no children, had worked for the company for several years and his death had brought ''shock and sadness'' for family and colleagues.
''A lot of people have been affected by this ... It's just tragic.''
Mr Lloyd was struck while in the doorway of one of the depot buildings, Mr Cocker said. Alcohol was being consumed at the party, he said.
While most people would think it reasonable to have alcohol at a Christmas party, the Richardson Group had banned the consumption of alcohol at all its sites pending the findings of the internal investigation, he said. That covered more than 100 sites in New Zealand and Australia.
''It's about getting the investigation right, and taking the risk away of this ever happening again.
''No doubt the investigation will come up with sound recommendations which will be put to [our] board.''
The company was working ''very, very closely'' with Mr Lloyd's family and assisting WorkSafe and the police he said. Mr Lloyd's family declined to talk to the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
