OHSIG welcomes Working Safely Blueprint

OHSIG welcomes Working Safely Blueprint

Thursday, 8 August 2013, Press Release: Occupational Health and Safety Industry Group

Media release

The Occupational Health and Safety Industry Group (OHSIG) welcome the government’s response to the Taskforce recommendations. ‘Working Safer’ is the type of bold response that was called for by the Taskforce in the early days of its work programme.

The ‘Working Safer’ response follows on from the Government’s commitment to the implementation of the recommendations from the Pike River Royal Commission and together they are the most significant changes to be seen in New Zealand’s workplace health and safety system for 20 years.

With a new regulator in place from December this year and changes in legislation, data and research, an increased focus on major hazards, occupational health and worker participation all set to be in place over the coming 12 to 18 months New Zealand’s workplace safety environment is going to be positioned well to achieve the goals outlined in the Taskforce report. Supported by the Government and industry, the goal of a reduction of at least 25 percent in the rate of workplace fatalities and serious injuries by 2020 may well be achievable.

The OHSIG Stakeholders work in all areas of workplace health and safety including engineering, occupational health and hygiene, occupational therapy and medicine, ergonomics and generalist safety practitioners. Each individual group has a part to play in contributing in the development of the ‘Working Safer’ blueprint.

Chair of OHSIG, Greg Dearsly said OHSIG stakeholders are pleased to see proposed structural and legal changes ahead that will help to ensure increased focus on the occupational health outcomes of New Zealanders. The “Working Safer” reforms indicate a positive change towards effective management of health and safety and we are keen to work with these changes and assist in the implementation of improvements.

OHSIG highlights a concern that unless the Government understands the gravity of the occupational health issues in New Zealand and implements suitable systems and controls then this area risks being side-lined.

The OHSIG acts as an industry forum to bring the voice of OH&S providers to government and, equally, for government to have a single point of contact with the industry. It is made up of 9 association members who are committed to improving the health and safety of NZ employees at all levels.

The OHSIG stakeholders are as follows.

© Scoop Media