Workplace Safety Needs Same Soul Searching As Olympics Performance
New Zealand's dismal workplace safety record would improve if people did as much soul searching about workplace
accidents as they have about the country's poor Olympic performance, Associate Minister for Accident Insurance Ruth
Dyson said today.
Opening the Worksafe Expo in Auckland, Ms Dyson said New Zealand's work accident record is worse than other comparable
countries, especially regarding serious accidents.
"Workplace fatalities in this country run at 4.9 per 100,000 employees compared with 3.8 per 100,000 in Australia and
3.2 in the United States. It appears that New Zealanders are not concerned enough about workplace accidents. We need to
create a climate where such accidents become completely unacceptable."
Ms Dyson said recent media coverage showed the need for a change in priorities.
"While headlines all over the country lamented New Zealand's poor performance at the Olympics and calls rang out for
more money to be poured into sport, the news about our dismal international record for serious workplace accidents
received little media attention."
Ms Dyson said events such as Workplace Expo, involving over 50 companies, play an important part in raising awareness
about workplace safety.
She said the Government also had a key part to play.
"New industrial relations law, a new emphasis by ACC on injury prevention, and health and safety in employment
legislation will all help to create safer workplaces.
"We will be doing our best to make sure that employers, managers, unions, employees and professionals have the legal and
state support they need to make safety and health paramount wherever people work."
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