24 August 2004
Strategy maps the future of safe and healthy work
A proposed strategy for achieving long-term health and safety in the workplace, is being released for public comment,
Associate Labour Minister Ruth Dyson announced today.
The draft Workplace Health and Safety Strategy for New Zealand to 2015 sets out proposals across all sectors with
specific goals looking ahead to the year 2015 and beyond.
“The strategy looks at the big picture of healthy working lives. Getting the strategy together has involved hard work
and hard thinking by all the groups involved, from industry and union representatives to government agencies such as OSH
and ACC.
“This high level strategy will be backed up with an implementation plan that translates the strategic goals into
practical steps.
“As well as agreeing on the destination, the Strategy maps the pathways to get there. The result will be safer,
healthier and more productive working lives.”
“The benefits of good workplace health and safety reach beyond the office, the factory or the farm. An investment in the
health and safety of workers benefits industry, families and communities: it’s good for people, and it’s good for
business. We need the strategy to provide leadership for a diverse workforce sector and to provide a common vision for
everyone involved,” Ruth Dyson said.
The proposed strategy is out for public comment until the end of October. It is available online at: www.whss.govt.nz.
People wanting to comment on the Strategy can email whss@dol.govt.nz or call the Department of Labour infoline on 0800
20 90 20.
ENDS