We continue our series of meth contamination case studies – all of these have been collected by MethSolutions’ staff while out on testing and sampling jobs.
Example 1 – Rodney district
Long-term family farm leased to a share milker who employs a manager. Manager is moved on for poor performance and a new person takes over. They do a great job and are set to move onto a different farm at start of the next season. The new manager knows the history of the first farm manager and gets the place Baseline tested as a precaution.
Property tested positive for meth at levels which indicated significant levels of manufacturing related behaviour. The farm manager who had lived in the property for 9 months, now had an explanation as to why they had persistent bronchitis and their partner had dizzy spells!
Issues at play:
• Employers liability to the farm manager for an unfit workplace
• Share Milker’ s liability to the farm owner for damage to property
• Share Milker’s liability to the farm owner for loss of value of the property
Example 2 – Franklin district
Property is Baseline tested as part of due diligence under a sale. Property tested positive for meth at levels which indicated significant levels of manufacturing related behaviour. Council are involved having been notified by the Police.
Cottage is left on site as roof provides drinking water for stock. Property is leased to a farmer who installs farm workers into the onsite cottage.
Issues at play:
• Owner will be in breach under the Health Act and may face legal action
• Farmer may be in breach of employers obligations regarding a safe workplace
Example 3 – Taupo District
Rural lifestyle block up for sale undergoes pre-purchase inspection. Property tested positive for meth at levels which indicated significant levels of manufacturing related behaviour. Use of multiple kits isolated the residues to one particular part of the property, reducing the cost associated with further testing and clean up.