NZ’s shocking workplace safety record no laughing matter

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

The Government finds itself thoroughly on the back foot over its Health and Safety Reform Bill — facing ridicule in fact, which is a great pity because reform is badly needed.

Problems for the Government and its embattled Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse ramped up on Wednesday with the release of a list of industries classified as high risk, including a category of “other livestock farming”.

Suddenly worm farming and cat breeding were on the list of high-risk industries, along with operating a mini-putt and driving a tourist bus (but not a school bus).

It was a boon for the media, particularly television where both channels raced last night to interview worm farmers and owners of mini-golf courses.

Even worse, they were able to show Woodhouse had not been thoroughly briefed and was unable to answer specific questions. He did not seem to know what was on the list. Labour described the legislation as a national joke. Sadly, that part is.

One would imagine that Woodhouse will be spending time with his officials today giving them a well-deserved roasting.

All this fun and games however is disguising the main issue — the fact sheep, beef and dairy farming are not labelled high-risk. That seems a staggering omission for an industry that has seen 108 fatalities since the start of 2010.

New Zealand has a poor record in regard to workplace accidents. On average 73 people die on the job each year, one in 10 workers are harmed and 600 to 900 die of work-related illnesses. The annual cost to the country is $3.5 billion.

It should also not be forgotten that the legislation has been introduced in response to the Pike River disaster in which 29 miners died. Prime Minister John Key apologised to the families in person for what he said was the government’s weak regulations and inadequate inspection regime.

All of this makes it essential that the new bill, which is still being debated and will come back before the House next week, is robust and sends all the right signals to make our workplaces safer. This is not a joke.