WorkSafe New Zealand

Our refreshed strategy defines the wider health and safety at work system (te aronga matua) and reflects our role in the system (kawa), how we will undertake that role (tikanga), where we will focus our effort (kaupapa), and how we will measure our impact (mātauranga). It focuses on the most serious harm in New Zealand workplaces. As the primary health and safety at work regulator, our role is to influence businesses to carry out their responsibilities – and to hold them to account if they don’t. Find out more and read our refreshed strategy on our website: https://lnkd.in/g6_JJF-f

It’s Pink Shirt Day today, a day to celebrate diversity, promote kindness and inclusiveness, and to help eliminate bullying. 91.3% of workers have experienced at least one form of bullying in the past 12 months. Organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand have an important role to play in creating culture where their kaimahi can “Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying." Check out the tools and resources to help guide you in preventing bullying in the workplace on our website. https://lnkd.in/gvykGh3K. Show your support for Pink Shirt Day today by wearing pink, and find Pink Shirt Day resources for workplaces at https://lnkd.in/g2qudZeQ

Every week, we are notified of unsafe machines across the country causing injury and death. The problem is particularly bad in the manufacturing sector. Since mid-March, courts have imposed more than half a million dollars in penalties against businesses where workers have lost fingers on machinery with exposed moving parts. Preventable injuries like this have a real impact on peoples’ lives and should not be happening in 2024. Businesses must manage their risks and do everything they reasonably can to keep people safe. https://lnkd.in/eaezAQdi

Apprentices should not be killed on the job. They are the future generation, and companies which take on apprentices need to recognise they have a responsibility to look after them. https://lnkd.in/gf8HfTXZ

Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Businesses and workers must do everything they reasonably can to keep people healthy and safe by the reducing risk involved in their work. This year the focus is ensuring safe and healthy work in a changing climate. With a changing climate comes a heightened risk of natural events and exposure to extreme temperatures. We have information on our website on how to manage risks at work after a natural event such as working in extreme temperatures and check out the National Emergency Management Agency (NZ) guide on how you can get your business prepared. Be prepared, manage your risks, and look after each other. WorkSafe natural events and emergencies guidance: https://lnkd.in/gQkFJ8Wg

This International Workers’ Memorial Day, we remember those who never made it home from work. Even one death caused by work is too many. Businesses must do everything they reasonably can to keep work and workers safe. Work shouldn’t cause sickness, injury or death. Find out how you can keep yourself and your kaimahi healthy and safe at https://lnkd.in/gbT7VX-y

Energy Safety has extended its clampdown on Serene bathroom heaters which don’t meet New Zealand’s safety standards. We’ve taken action against the S2068, S207T and S2069 models. Find out what you need to do if you are a supplier of heaters, an installer, or have a bathroom heater at home. https://lnkd.in/guQKQcSE

A self-drive vehicle to enhance worker safety will be trialled by one of the country’s largest energy providers as part of a $1.15m agreement with WorkSafe. It follows the uncontrolled release of geothermal steam at Mercury NZ’s Rotokawa power station near Taupō in July 2021. The so-called ‘steam hammer’ event could have seriously harmed workers if they had been in the area at the time.  The investment from Mercury demonstrates a substantial commitment to health and safety with benefits to workers, industry, and the community. https://lnkd.in/gRZawdK4

Congratulations to Hans Key from WorkSafe New Zealand, who has received the Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence

Have you used SafePlus Online before? Answer our quick survey: https://bit.ly/4aonG8I If you are a small or medium sized business who has used the online tool before, WorkSafe would like to hear about your experience to understand what to improve by answering three quick questions.