Press release

12 July 2013

Forum strongly supportive of WorkSafe New Zealand Establishment Board

The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum is welcoming today’s announcement of the five-strong Establishment Board for WorkSafe New Zealand, which includes Forum member Don Stock.

“This is an excellent step in the right direction for the changes needed to improve health and safety in New Zealand,” says Julian Hughes, Executive Director of the Forum.

“WorkSafe New Zealand will be a stand-alone agency and signals a new era in health and safety. Today’s announcement of the five-strong Establishment Board provide a clear signal that the Minister is thinking broadly about what is required to improve our poor record on health and safety,” says Mr Hughes.

“We are supportive of the composition of the Establishment Board – made up of senior leaders of business, government and worker representatives”. This was a key recommendation of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety and the Minister’s decision to stick to this approach with the Establishment Board is a good signal of things to come.

“We welcome the appointment of Forum member Don Stock, a director for Energy for Industry and Pioneer Generation. Don has extensive experience leading businesses in high risk industries and this is exactly this kind of background we need for people responsible for setting up the new health and safety agency,” says Mr Hughes.

ENDS

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