Health and safety review must be more than a Band Aid

Media statement Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Health and safety review must be more than a Band Aid

The Government's consultation document reviewing New Zealand's workplace health and safety is very comprehensive and a welcome shake-up, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).

EMA manager of occupational health and safety (OHS), Paul Jarvie, says, "We hope that a rigorous consultation process will identify real, objective and tangible improvements to the way occupational health and safety (OHS) is managed in New Zealand.

"I really want to be sure we get a different and evidence based approach rather than more of the same, or a band aid for New Zealand's horrible stats on injury and death at work.

"EMA is committed to the consultation process and will take this Safer Workplaces document to members for their input before we submit our views and ideas."

Mr Jarvie was an appointed member of the Employers Reference Group for the Government's strategic review of OHS law and systems.

The Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety is reviewing the overall workplace health and safety system, including legislation, regulation, incentives and enforcement.

The Taskforce is expected to make recommendations to the Government next year on measures to achieve the Government's goal of a 25 per cent reduction in workplace deaths and serious injuries by 2020.

ENDS

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