The Government has launched a three-month consultation period on regulations aimed at improving health and safety at work
On average, 58 people a year in New Zealand die from injuries at work involving plant or structures. That’s three-quarters of all work-related deaths.
Moreover, there are high serious-injury rates for falls from heights, particularly in the construction sector, according to the Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.
The Government is currently seeking feedback on how to reduce death and injury in the workplace ahead of planned reform to health and safety regulations, some of which are up to 40 years old.
Consequently, Lees-Galloway has launched a three-month consultation period on regulations aimed at improving health and safety at work.
READ MORE: Kiwi firm to pay $55k over safety failure
Lees-Galloway added that “everyone deserves to come home from work safe and healthy”.
He said the Government is making progress with the launch of a consultation on options to improve regulations for working with plant (eg machines, vehicles and equipment), structures (eg buildings and towers), at heights, and on excavation work.
“The regulations in these areas are outdated and full of gaps. We’re modernising them to ensure they are clear, effective, proportionate and durable,” said Lees-Galloway.
“This reform continues the work to implement the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and address the issues identified by the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy and the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety.”
READ MORE: ‘Employers are going to get hurt’
He explained that everyone has a responsibility for workplace health and safety, so we want to hear a wide range of views. Businesses will have insights into how to implement regulations, while workers know what makes the most impact on the ground.
“Many businesses are already managing risks from plant, structures and working at heights well. We have made good progress as a country in recent years to improve our health and safety performance.
“However, there is still a significant amount of harm occurring and we can’t become complacent.”
