NZ Government Bent on Cutting Incidents
The new blueprint calls for cutting workplace injuries and fatalities by 25 percent by 2020.
New Zealand's government recently announced the most significant reform of its workplace health and safety system in 20 years.
"Working Safer: a blueprint for health and safety at work" is the government's response to the recommendations of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety set up in April 2012, partially in response to the Pike River Coal Mine disaster. The plan intends to reduce New Zealand's workplace injury and death toll by 25 percent by 2020.
It will "require leadership and action from business, workers and Government to achieve this goal," according to the agency. "The reform will see the Health and Safety at Work Bill replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act. This will be introduced into Parliament in December 2013. Regulations will also be developed to support the bill, and we will be consulting with stakeholders as part of that work. The new law and key supporting regulations are expected to start coming into force from the end of 2014."