Changes to ‘high risk’ industries list flagged
WELLINGTON: The Government is flagging changes to the list of ‘‘high risk’’ industries that require health and safety representatives, from which agriculture was excluded under the previous government.
Workplace Relations Minister Iain LeesGalloway said it would be reasonable to expect ‘‘genuinely’’ highrisk sectors would be on that list.
‘‘That is the list that excluded agriculture and included worm farms, and I don’t think that’s a good example of the system being focused on what’s important and what will make the biggest impact.’’
He said people could expect some change in that area, which the Government would announce in the ‘‘very near future’’.
The main areas of focus included better coordination of people in the system, improving capability and being able to monitor performance more effectively.
Mr LeesGalloway was asked how, in practical terms, the Government intended to do that.
‘‘Workers have to have a voice; workers have to be able to be part of decisions that are made in their workplace, that they are able to speak up when they see unsafe practices or identify risks,’’ he said.
There had been a much greater focus on health and safety since the Pike River tragedy, including new legislation and the establishment of WorkSafe, he said. ‘‘But the truth is we still are a long way behind other countries we usually compare ourselves with, for instance the UK, Australia, Europe.
‘‘The rate of deaths, injuries and core health at work in New Zealand are far higher than all of those countries, which indicated we’ve got a long way to go,’’ Mr LeesGalloway said.
One specific aim was to decrease the rates of death and injury among Maori workers.
‘‘Maori workers are overrepresented in highrisk occupations, particularly like forestry and farming, but we also know they are often in more precarious work arrangements, often on work sites that are more isolated and they often have less control over their work.’’
Public consultation closes on June 8. — RNZ