Media Release

14 December 2015

WorkSafe launches extractives industry safety initiative

World-leading continuing education requirements for safety-critical roles in the mining, quarrying and tunnelling industries will come into force in New Zealand on 1 January 2016.

WorkSafe New Zealand’s Chief Inspector Extractives, Tony Forster says the requirements are unique as they focus on a broad range of different roles, rather than the professions themselves as most continuing professional development (CPD) programmes do.

“Updating technical and operational skills and knowledge by role and putting these into practice with professional judgement is the key to safer work practices in these industries,” he says.

The Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2013 now require all Certificate of Competence (CoC) holders who wish to renew their certificates to undertake CPD.

WorkSafe New Zealand has set the requirements after consultation with the New Zealand Mining Board of Examiners and the industries, and will also administer them.

“This is an important step in improving and supporting safety in our extractives industry and it will drive CoC holders to continuously develop quality safety cultures in their businesses,” Mr Forster says

“The programme will give those with statutory responsibility for safety critical roles in the extractives industry the confidence to challenge, and then effectively improve poor workplace safety performance.”

Depending on the role, CoC holders will have to complete between 40 and 120 hours of professional development work during the five year life of their certificates to meet the requirements of certificate renewal.

“We will hold CPD workshops across the country next year to give CoC holders the opportunity to learn more about CPD and how they will be administered,” Mr Forster says.

For more information
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/guidance-by-industry/extractives/board-of-examiners/continuing-professional-development

[Ends]

© Scoop Media