News Release
9 November 2012

Don’t leave safety to the bureaucrats

“The Pike River Report showed so many failings, that a new approach is needed more than ever,” said Tony Rigg, National Manager of the NZ Institute of Safety Management (NZISM). “No longer can health and safety be managed by bureaucrats and political appointments. Safety professionals simply have to be involved at a senior level.”

In response to the Pike River Royal Commission Report, Tony Rigg urged Government to follow recommendations for an independent crown agency to take up the mantle of health and safety. “Bringing health and safety under the remit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) simply isn’t good enough if we are to keep people safe,” added Rigg.

According to the NZISM, a new independent agency with sole responsibility for health and safety would need four things:
• Reliable funding
• Strong management capable of working with private businesses
• Health and safety professionals in positions with the ability to drive health and safety forward
• Interagency collaboration

Tony Rigg continued, “The whole safety agenda is being lost in over-wieldy Government departments that face regular restructuring, poor funding and that struggle to offer anything but a reactive approach. The NZISM urges Government to build this new independent agency quickly.”

ENDS

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