Darien Fenton
Health and Safety Spokesperson

7 August 2013

From the dire to the disastrous

The Government is looking to bring in expensive overseas hires to fill gaps in the local labour inspectorate following its botched change process, Labour’s Health and Safety spokesperson Darien Fenton says.

“Simon Bridges’ ‘Lifting Our Game’ change programme was supposed to have 158 warranted health and safety inspectors in place by 1 July.

“That target hasn’t been met. As of today there are only 98, putting critical enforcement - such as that needed in the forestry industry - out of reach.

“To fill the gap MBIE is considering hiring Australian health and safety inspectors - at an additional cost of $25,000 per inspector, per year.

“Furthermore, inspectors already made redundant in the botched process are also being approached to be rehired.

“The on-going failure of Mr Bridges to get the inspectorate in order threatens his just announced health and safety reforms.

“Those won’t be in place until December 2014. In the meantime, New Zealand workers will be depending on existing safety systems, including the health and safety inspectorate, a unit where staff are stressed and overworked.

“This is a dire situation that could lead to unnecessary tragedy. Mr Bridges needs to get it sorted quickly.”

ENDS

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