Latest news with #WorkSafeNewZealand
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
WorkSafe Changes A Welcome Step Towards Modern, Supportive Regulation
Press Release – EMA The changes – including a new letter of expectations, a restructured funding model, and a legislative rewrite of the regulators core purpose – represent a significant shift in the approach to health and safety regulation in New Zealand. The change in focus for WorkSafe New Zealand is long overdue and should assist employers in keeping workers safer while having fewer concerns about being punished, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). The changes – including a new letter of expectations, a restructured funding model, and a legislative rewrite of the regulator's core purpose – represent a significant shift in the approach to health and safety regulation in New Zealand. The EMA has long advocated for a more balanced, collaborative model that fosters partnership and practical support for employers and workers. 'Hello, what can we do to help?' may be the new greeting from a WorkSafe inspector, says EMA Manager of Employment Relations & Safety Paul Jarvie. 'These reforms will help modernise WorkSafe into a regulator that promotes compliance through education rather than fear,' he says. 'This is a welcome and necessary change. For years, businesses – particularly small and medium-sized enterprises – have felt they were being policed rather than supported. 'We've heard consistently from our members that the culture of enforcement-first created a climate of fear and concealment, rather than clarity and cooperation. This meant businesses were reluctant to call in WorkSafe for assistance because they were worried about simply being fined without getting the help or guidance they originally sought to avoid or manage a potential risk in the workplace. 'That feedback has come through strongly from our members for many years and Minister van Velden heard the concerns during her roadshow events with small to medium businesses last year. The EMA has been calling for a shift towards an enabling, advisory-based regulator – and it's pleasing to see the government respond.' The announcement includes a redefinition of WorkSafe's role, with a greater emphasis on early engagement, targeted guidance, and clear, consistent advice. Updating and streamlining more than 50 guidance documents and re-prioritising critical risk areas are among the first steps being taken. 'Cleaning up of WorkSafe advice documents is long overdue and must continue,' Jarvie says. 'Clear expectations, consistent advice, and a shared goal of risk reduction should be the foundation of our health and safety system. New Zealand workplaces are safer when employers and regulators work in partnership.' The EMA also supports the move to involve industries more directly in developing Approved Codes of Practice, with WorkSafe providing guidance and oversight. 'Industry knows its risks best,' says Jarvie. 'Empowering businesses to help shape the standards they work to – with proper regulatory oversight – is a smart, pragmatic approach that will deliver better compliance and ultimately, better outcomes for workers.' The EMA assisted the Minister 's review roadshow and found strong support from our members for these changes. The EMA is actively involved in supporting our members to meet and surpass their health and safety obligations through our comprehensive training programme. The EMA looks forward to continuing to work with the government, WorkSafe, Unions and other key stakeholders to ensure the transition achieves its intended purpose: a modern, fit-for-purpose regulator focused on outcomes, not bureaucracy.
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Business
- Scoop
WorkSafe Changes A Welcome Step Towards Modern, Supportive Regulation
The change in focus for WorkSafe New Zealand is long overdue and should assist employers in keeping workers safer while having fewer concerns about being punished, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA). The changes - including a new letter of expectations, a restructured funding model, and a legislative rewrite of the regulator's core purpose - represent a significant shift in the approach to health and safety regulation in New Zealand. The EMA has long advocated for a more balanced, collaborative model that fosters partnership and practical support for employers and workers. 'Hello, what can we do to help?' may be the new greeting from a WorkSafe inspector, says EMA Manager of Employment Relations & Safety Paul Jarvie. "These reforms will help modernise WorkSafe into a regulator that promotes compliance through education rather than fear," he says. "This is a welcome and necessary change. For years, businesses - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises - have felt they were being policed rather than supported. "We've heard consistently from our members that the culture of enforcement-first created a climate of fear and concealment, rather than clarity and cooperation. This meant businesses were reluctant to call in WorkSafe for assistance because they were worried about simply being fined without getting the help or guidance they originally sought to avoid or manage a potential risk in the workplace. "That feedback has come through strongly from our members for many years and Minister van Velden heard the concerns during her roadshow events with small to medium businesses last year. The EMA has been calling for a shift towards an enabling, advisory-based regulator - and it's pleasing to see the government respond." The announcement includes a redefinition of WorkSafe's role, with a greater emphasis on early engagement, targeted guidance, and clear, consistent advice. Updating and streamlining more than 50 guidance documents and re-prioritising critical risk areas are among the first steps being taken. "Cleaning up of WorkSafe advice documents is long overdue and must continue," Jarvie says. "Clear expectations, consistent advice, and a shared goal of risk reduction should be the foundation of our health and safety system. New Zealand workplaces are safer when employers and regulators work in partnership." The EMA also supports the move to involve industries more directly in developing Approved Codes of Practice, with WorkSafe providing guidance and oversight. "Industry knows its risks best," says Jarvie. "Empowering businesses to help shape the standards they work to - with proper regulatory oversight - is a smart, pragmatic approach that will deliver better compliance and ultimately, better outcomes for workers." The EMA assisted the Minister 's review roadshow and found strong support from our members for these changes. The EMA is actively involved in supporting our members to meet and surpass their health and safety obligations through our comprehensive training programme. The EMA looks forward to continuing to work with the government, WorkSafe, Unions and other key stakeholders to ensure the transition achieves its intended purpose: a modern, fit-for-purpose regulator focused on outcomes, not bureaucracy.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Headway Calls For Urgent Action To Stop 'Run It Straight'
Press Release – Headway The organisation says the format and promotion of the Run It Straight events appear to deliberately target financially vulnerable people by offering large prize pools up to $20,000. Brain injury charity says the events pose a real risk of brain injury and lifelong disability Headway is raising urgent concerns about the Run It Straight events scheduled to take place across Auckland this month, calling them 'dangerous spectacles' with a very real risk of traumatic brain injury or death. 'These events are not sport. They're commercialised violence targeting the most vulnerable in our community,' said Stacey Mowbray, CEO. 'We see the lifelong impact of brain injury every day. This is not entertainment. It's a public health and safety crisis waiting to happen.' While concussions are often dismissed as mild or temporary, Headway notes that even so-called 'minor' brain injuries can lead to long-term mental health challenges, reduced capacity to work, and serious impacts on whānau. The organisation says the format and promotion of the Run It Straight events appear to deliberately target financially vulnerable people by offering large prize pools up to $20,000. 'It's tough to say no to that kind of money when you're struggling but it's unacceptable to use financial hardship as leverage to expose people to brain injury,' said Mowbray. Headway also questions how these events were permitted. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, organisers must manage risks 'so far as is reasonably practicable.' Based on the scientific evidence on brain trauma, Headway believes these risks cannot be reasonably mitigated—especially not by the superficial measures promoted by organisers. 'The claim that onsite doctors and mouthguards are sufficient to make this safe is deeply misleading,' said the spokesperson. 'These do not prevent brain injury.' Earlier this month, Headway raised the issue with Auckland Council, the Mayor's office, Councillors, MPs, and WorkSafe New Zealand. Responses to date have been unsatisfactory, and the organisation will now be submitting an Official Information Act request to determine how permits were issued and what risk assessments, if any, were reviewed. The largest of the upcoming events is being held at Trusts Arena. Headway is particularly concerned about the involvement of Chanel Harris-Tavita as a special guest and have contacted the New Zealand Warriors to express concern about his endorsement of the event. Headway has also contacted Auckland Rugby Union and Auckland Rugby League to understand how an affiliated rugby club and rugby league club could also host smaller versions of Run it Straight. 'We urge venue operators, local authorities, and sports bodies to act now,' said the spokesperson. 'These events carry serious, lasting harm—and those enabling them share responsibility.'
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Headway Calls For Urgent Action To Stop 'Run It Straight'
Press Release – Headway Brain injury charity says the events pose a real risk of brain injury and lifelong disability Headway is raising urgent concerns about the Run It Straight events scheduled to take place across Auckland this month, calling them 'dangerous spectacles' with a very real risk of traumatic brain injury or death. 'These events are not sport. They're commercialised violence targeting the most vulnerable in our community,' said Stacey Mowbray, CEO. 'We see the lifelong impact of brain injury every day. This is not entertainment. It's a public health and safety crisis waiting to happen.' While concussions are often dismissed as mild or temporary, Headway notes that even so-called 'minor' brain injuries can lead to long-term mental health challenges, reduced capacity to work, and serious impacts on whānau. The organisation says the format and promotion of the Run It Straight events appear to deliberately target financially vulnerable people by offering large prize pools up to $20,000. 'It's tough to say no to that kind of money when you're struggling but it's unacceptable to use financial hardship as leverage to expose people to brain injury,' said Mowbray. Headway also questions how these events were permitted. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, organisers must manage risks 'so far as is reasonably practicable.' Based on the scientific evidence on brain trauma, Headway believes these risks cannot be reasonably mitigated—especially not by the superficial measures promoted by organisers. 'The claim that onsite doctors and mouthguards are sufficient to make this safe is deeply misleading,' said the spokesperson. 'These do not prevent brain injury.' Earlier this month, Headway raised the issue with Auckland Council, the Mayor's office, Councillors, MPs, and WorkSafe New Zealand. Responses to date have been unsatisfactory, and the organisation will now be submitting an Official Information Act request to determine how permits were issued and what risk assessments, if any, were reviewed. The largest of the upcoming events is being held at Trusts Arena. Headway is particularly concerned about the involvement of Chanel Harris-Tavita as a special guest and have contacted the New Zealand Warriors to express concern about his endorsement of the event. Headway has also contacted Auckland Rugby Union and Auckland Rugby League to understand how an affiliated rugby club and rugby league club could also host smaller versions of Run it Straight. 'We urge venue operators, local authorities, and sports bodies to act now,' said the spokesperson. 'These events carry serious, lasting harm—and those enabling them share responsibility.'
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Headway Calls For Urgent Action To Stop 'Run It Straight'
Brain injury charity says the events pose a real risk of brain injury and lifelong disability Headway is raising urgent concerns about the Run It Straight events scheduled to take place across Auckland this month, calling them 'dangerous spectacles' with a very real risk of traumatic brain injury or death. 'These events are not sport. They're commercialised violence targeting the most vulnerable in our community,' said Stacey Mowbray, CEO. 'We see the lifelong impact of brain injury every day. This is not entertainment. It's a public health and safety crisis waiting to happen.' While concussions are often dismissed as mild or temporary, Headway notes that even so-called 'minor' brain injuries can lead to long-term mental health challenges, reduced capacity to work, and serious impacts on whānau. The organisation says the format and promotion of the Run It Straight events appear to deliberately target financially vulnerable people by offering large prize pools up to $20,000. 'It's tough to say no to that kind of money when you're struggling but it's unacceptable to use financial hardship as leverage to expose people to brain injury,' said Mowbray. Headway also questions how these events were permitted. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, organisers must manage risks 'so far as is reasonably practicable.' Based on the scientific evidence on brain trauma, Headway believes these risks cannot be reasonably mitigated—especially not by the superficial measures promoted by organisers. 'The claim that onsite doctors and mouthguards are sufficient to make this safe is deeply misleading,' said the spokesperson. 'These do not prevent brain injury.' Earlier this month, Headway raised the issue with Auckland Council, the Mayor's office, Councillors, MPs, and WorkSafe New Zealand. Responses to date have been unsatisfactory, and the organisation will now be submitting an Official Information Act request to determine how permits were issued and what risk assessments, if any, were reviewed. The largest of the upcoming events is being held at Trusts Arena. Headway is particularly concerned about the involvement of Chanel Harris-Tavita as a special guest and have contacted the New Zealand Warriors to express concern about his endorsement of the event. Headway has also contacted Auckland Rugby Union and Auckland Rugby League to understand how an affiliated rugby club and rugby league club could also host smaller versions of Run it Straight. 'We urge venue operators, local authorities, and sports bodies to act now,' said the spokesperson. 'These events carry serious, lasting harm—and those enabling them share responsibility.'
