The Minister of Labour, Kate Wilkinson, opened the second day of the National Safeguard Health and Safety Conference. She unveiled a complete new action plan, to combat workplace injuries and deaths in New Zealand and a new document which will assist contractors and employers.

The new action plan, shows a "shift in thinking" and a "narrower yet deeper focus on places with problems," said Wilkinson. The Department of Labour had identified five sectors of great importance to target and construction is at the top of that list.

A unique concrete plan to tackle the problems inherent in each sector had been made said Wilkinson. Additionally, The Department of Labour will give particular attention to falls from heights in construction, which is one of two major health and safety problems in New Zealand. The other issue being accidents on quad bikes in the farming sector.

The Department of Labour also used the Safeguard Conference as the place to release a new document for principals. The new document: "A principal's guide to contracting to meet the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992" is available on their website www.dol.govt.nz . As more work is being contracted out, a wider audience is requiring assistance with the issues surrounding principals.

The summary guide "Health and Safety in Contracting Situations" has been attained for Site Safe members, and will be posted out July 2010.

Click here to view Department of Labour media release - new contracting guidance

Posted: 20 June