Workplace Health and Safety in New Zealand-a new era

Why workplace health and safety is important

• 73 people die on the job every year

• 1 in 10 workers is harmed

• More than 600 people die from work-related diseases

• 200,000 ACC claims for work-related harm

• $3.5 billion in costs (2-4 percent of GDP)

• Unquantifiable costs for families, friends and communities

So what’s been the problem?

Both the Royal Commission and the Independent Taskforce identified systemic failures:

– Confusing legislation which was poorly implemented

– An ineffective regulator– Inadequate leadership– Poor worker engagement and representation– Workforce shortcomings- both capacity and

capability– Hidden occupational health– A risk tolerant culture

A new era- what’s required?

An urgent, sustainable step change in harm prevention activity reflecting the dual priorities of acute workplace injury and chronic health conditions, coupled with a seismic shift in attitudes towards workplace health and safety.

What’s needed for a new era?

• Good workable law• Strong visible leadership• An effective, well resourced and stand alone

regulator• Robust level of workforce capacity and capability• Genuine and effective worker participation• Effective partnerships• Incentives that are effective levers for good practice• Occupational health taken seriously

Supported by…

• Easy access to information for business, especially the small and medium sized

• Effective targeting of high risk groups and populations

• A national culture that is more risk aware

Government’s response

Government responded through the Working Safer Blueprint and set a target for the health and safety system of at least a 25% reduction in deaths and serious injuries at work by 2020, and a 10% reduction by 2016

So how are we tracking?

• New Legislation with a clearer focus on leadership, accountability, collaboration, risk management and worker engagement and participation comes comes into force 2016

• Stronger industry leadership- Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum and regional health and safety forums

• A new standalone regulator with a stronger focus on engagement, problem solving and information provision as well as enforcement

• A workforce development strategy aimed at building medium to long term capability and capacity

So how are we tracking? (cont)

• A safety star rating scheme under development, led by ACC and WorkSafe supported by industry experts

• Better data, intelligence and guidance to support sector initiatives and partnerships

• Establishment of the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand to ensure easy access to high quality health and safety advice for business.

Is it making a difference?

There have been reductions in the number of fatalities and injuries in some sectors.

According to WorkSafe NZ data, Workplace fatalities in 2014 were under 50, serious harm notifications to WorkSafe NZ are trending down and ACC data is showing similar trends.

While this is promising, we can’t know that these gains are sustainable.

The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand

A representative body for health and safety professionals was recommended by the Taskforce and picked up through Working Safer.

HASANZ was established in September 2014. It is a national umbrella body for health and safety professionals to ensure system-wide collaboration and leadership. It is an “association of associations”.

• Australian/New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM) (New Zealand branch)

• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand (HFESNZ)

• Maintenance Engineers Society of New Zealand (MESNZ)

• NZ Institute of Hazardous Substances Management (NZIHSM)

• New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM)

• NZ Occupational Health Nurses Association (NZOHNA)

• NZ Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS)• New Zealand Safety Council (NZSC)• Physiotherapy New Zealand (Occupational

Health Group)• Occupational Therapy New Zealand (OTNZ)

HASANZ Founding Member Organisations

There are challenges….

• Demand for professional workplace health and safety advisors is unsophisticated and at times inadequate

• Supply of professional workplace health and safety advisors, capability and capacity need considerable development

• The reputation of workplace health and safety advisors is variable, and must gradually improve, demonstrated step by step

• Our success depends on the actions of so many others – Government, WorkSafe NZ, professional associations, key influencers in high risk sectors, business leaders, small businesses and workers

Responding to these challenges

• “Five quick questions” for business• Partnering Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum• Working with industry networks

Demand

• Representation on TROQ steering group• Supporting quality processes within member associations• Working with tertiary institutions (alongside WorkSafe)

Supply

• System-wide culture change through HASANZ• Building leadership and strategic capability in professionals• Actively telling positive stories about professional advice

Reputation

Interventions to build change

The five quick questions

1. Which professional association do you belong to- can you confirm this?

2. What qualifications and/or certification do you have?3. What relevant skills or experience do you have for this job?4. Can you give me examples of similar work you have done

recently?5. Are you happy for us to contact your clients about you work for

them?

Check if health and safety professionals are right for the job by asking these five quick questions

A new era?

Our measure of success will be the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone who works in new Zealand's workplaces.Success will require:• Strong leadership and diligence• Effective health and safety systems and processes• The right capability and capacity• Sound risk management practices in the workplace

ConsistentlyOver time.

Significant system and culture change is underway.