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B:HIVE, Smales Farm, 72 Taharoto Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Email us
info@teesdaleassociates.com
Call us
021 920 323
Prioritising workplace health and safety.
The fact is far too many people are injured, or die, as a result of workplace accidents. In addition to the high personal impact for many people, the business costs of workplace accidents are significant. While the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 imposes greater obligations on all parties, our view remains that it’s the attitude of the people rather than the system itself which will deliver better outcomes; and that must start at the top. We implement health and safety systems, advise on strategies to promote positive attitudes to health and safety, provide audit services and assist with all other aspects of health and safety and ACC, including risk management should things go wrong.
Health and Safety FAQs
Far too many people are injured, or die, as a result of workplace accidents. In addition to the high personal impact for people directly affected and their families, serious workplace injuries or deaths have a very detrimental impact on staff morale and productivity if staff believe that the business does not care sufficiently for their welfare. For business owners, directors and managers, there is also a high risk of significant fines and penalties being imposed by the courts following a WorkSafe investigation. That can have a devastating impact on business viability, particularly in the case of a small/medium business.
The cost of workplace accidents in New Zealand in 2023 was NZ$4.9 billion, up from NZ$4.4 billion in 2022. In addition, the social cost of work-related health issues was at least $2 billion annually. Other business costs include increased training costs, loss of productivity due to absenteeism, direct costs, like surgeries or medications, or indirect costs like the need for professional care, administrative expenses and workers’ compensation insurance costs.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, the responsibility for workplace safety is shared. The employer, as a person conducting a business or undertaking (“PCBU”) must comply with all laws and regulations applicable to its business activities. That involves ensuring so far as is reasonably practicable, the work environment that is without risks to health and safety, maintaining certain records and reporting procedures, promoting and recognising worker participation in health and safety matters and proactively seeking to identify continuous improvement initiatives to safeguard the health and safety of all people on its premises or affected by its operations. Company Officers, being persons who exercise significant influence over the management of the business, including Directors, the Chief Executive and the Senior Leadership Team, are required to exercise the care, diligence, and skill that a reasonable officer would exercise in the circumstances. Managers and supervisors also have a responsibility to both understand the employer’s health and safety approach and ensure the part of the business for which they are responsible meets its obligations, such as training their staff, managing risks and hazards in the workplace, and holding their team accountable for health and safety activities including; training, emergency drills, work area inspections, hazard reports, incident reports, meetings and contractor safety procedures.
Workers also have a responsibility to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, ensure their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons, and comply with all reasonable instructions of the business related to health and safety.
Workplace safety is paramount at all times, as a momentary lapse can have huge consequences. This is one of the key business challenges for employers, officers and supervisors. Maintaining the required focus is also a challenge for workers, because they are the ones most likely to suffer longer term consequences of a workplace injury.