Mahi Haumaru/WorkSafe says jokesters should think twice about pulling pranks at work, following a 2022 gas explosion that burned five Tāmaki Makaurau workers.
The message comes after an employee from civil engineering company Vuksich and Borich left a gas bottle running overnight in a shipping container in Auckland's Wynyard Quarter last August, which exploded the next morning when one worker sparked his lighter, injuring five.
The worker had initially joked about igniting a flame after the group of five smelled gas upon opening the container.
Paul Budd, area investigation manager at Mahi Haumaru/WorkSafe, said employers and staff are equally responsible for work safety.
"And no one should be harmed because of a prank or joke gone wrong," he added.
Budd said Mahi Haumaru/WorkSafe identified issues around Vuksich and Borich's gas bottle storage and worker training, which they have rectified.
"The company has since introduced a barbeque permit procedure and prohibits storage of gas cylinders or gas bottles inside shipping containers."
The prankster has also participated in restorative justice with the other victims.
Paul Stannard from Mahi Haumaru/WorkSafe's energy safety team said to take it seriously if you can smell gas.
"In some of the most significant gas-related events that have come to the attention of Energy Safety in the last few years, people have smelled gas but may not have recognised it as a warning sign."
The advice upon smelling gas is to not use phones, appliances, or ignite flames - and call 111 or the gas supplier.
The safety watchdog will not "carry out further enforcement" because it's not in the public interest.
