Forum comment on injuries

Forestry, fishing and agriculture leaders encouraged to continuing working to improve safety record

Wednesday, 15 October, 2014

The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum is encouraging chief executives and directors of agriculture, forestry and fishing companies to continuing working to reduce the high rate of injuries in their industries.

ACC data released today shows that just under one-quarter of workers in these industries had a work-related injury claim accepted by ACC in 2013.

“Nearly one in four workers getting hurt each year is unacceptable,” Forum Executive Director Julian Hughes says.

“Injuries aren’t an unavoidable consequence of work. There are companies operating in high risk industries in New Zealand that achieve very, very low injury rates. Within our Forum there are companies in these three industries that are working hard to reduce injuries and are making progress.”

Initiatives like the current Independent Forestry Safety Review are a good start, he says. “The Forum would encourage and support leaders in forestry, fishing and agriculture to come up with more initiatives to lift their safety performance, and for industry leaders to drive these initiatives.

“There is clear evidence that improvements in workplace health and safety only succeed when they are driven by the people at the top of an organisation – the chief executive and board of directors. Chief executives and directors are in a unique position to influence health and safety because they set the conditions in their businesses, control the resources, and create the culture.”

About the Forum

The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum inspires and supports its members to become more effective leaders on Health and Safety.

The Forum has more than 180 members, who are chief executives and managing directors of significant New Zealand companies.

For more information see www.zeroharm.org.nz

ENDS

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