Recent reports have brought New Zealand’s worker safety issues to the forefront. In an article by the NZ Herald, workers in New Zealand were found to be twice as likely to die from a workplace incident compared to Australia.
Research from the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum revealed that the cost of workplace accidents reached $4.9 billion in 2023 alone, due to lost lives, injuries, and health problems.
While New Zealand shares similar workplace health and safety regulations with Australia and the UK, the country lags significantly in performance.
The key question is: why is worker safety in New Zealand so lacking compared to Australia? Let’s explore the factors contributing to New Zealand’s worker safety crisis and how businesses can improve conditions.
Why New Zealand Lags Behind
New Zealand’s workplace fatality rate is 60% higher than Australia and 500% higher than the UK. This is alarming, given that these countries share similar legislative frameworks. The Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum reports that New Zealand’s regulators are reactive. Instead of addressing risks early, they often respond only after incidents occur.
1. Proactive vs. Reactive Regulation
Australia’s regulators take a proactive approach to workplace safety. They focus on identifying risks and managing them before they lead to accidents. In contrast, New Zealand’s system has been criticised for its lack of oversight and coordination. This makes it harder for businesses to address risks in time.
New Zealand’s safety culture tends to be reactive. Regulators intervene after incidents happen, rather than proactively working with companies to avoid them in the first place. This passive approach is a key reason behind the higher number of workplace fatalities.
2. Industry-Specific Challenges
New Zealand’s economy relies heavily on high-risk industries like agriculture, fishing, forestry, and construction. These sectors see more workplace accidents and fatalities. Without tailored safety measures for these industries, companies struggle to protect their workers.
In Australia, safety measures target specific high-risk industries. By addressing sector-specific risks, Australia has reduced workplace accidents significantly.
Six Ways New Zealand Can Improve Worker Safety
To close the safety gap with Australia, New Zealand needs to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. Both businesses and regulators must work to prevent accidents before they occur. Here are some strategies New Zealand can adopt.
1. Investing in Safety Management Software
Businesses can improve worker safety by using safety management software like SiteConnect. These tools help companies digitally manage risks and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Safety management software simplifies incident reporting, safety checks, and audits.
Using these platforms, businesses can monitor safety in real-time. They can detect potential hazards and prevent incidents before they happen. A proactive safety culture, supported by technology, can help close the gap with Australia’s safety performance.
2. Regular Training and Safety Audits
For New Zealand to improve its safety outcomes, businesses need to prioritise continuous safety training and audits. This means making safety a core part of the company’s operations. Workers at all levels must stay up to date with the latest safety protocols.
Regular audits are essential for identifying weaknesses in safety practices. These audits help businesses revise and update their safety plans to ensure they’re effective. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, businesses can reduce the risks that lead to workplace injuries and fatalities.
3. Stronger Collaboration Between Business and Government
To achieve better worker safety outcomes, there must be greater collaboration between businesses and regulators. Regulators should provide real-time feedback to companies on safety practices. This includes offering guidance on best practices and helping businesses identify and address risks.
At the same time, businesses need to take responsibility for worker safety. They should comply with safety regulations and actively work to improve their safety performance.
4. Better Data Collection and Accuracy
The foundation of any effective safety program is accurate and comprehensive data. By improving the methods used to collect health and safety data, New Zealand can gain a clearer picture of the gaps to improve worker safety in various industries.
This includes refining the ways in which incidents are reported, and ensuring that data on near-misses, minor injuries, and unsafe conditions are captured as thoroughly as major incidents.
5. Effective Penalties
A structured penalty system for non-compliance can deter businesses from neglecting safety regulations.
When businesses know that violations will be met with significant penalties, they are more likely to invest in safety training, equipment, and protocols. This accountability drives a stronger commitment to maintaining a safe working environment and reduces the likelihood of negligence.
6. Ensuring Consistent Application of Safety Standards
Better enforcement ensures that safety standards are applied consistently across all sectors and businesses. This uniformity helps level the playing field, so no company can gain a competitive edge by cutting corners on safety.
Consistent application of regulations means that all workers, regardless of their employer, benefit from the same high safety standards.
The Role of Technology in Worker Safety
Technology plays a critical role in ensuring safety continuity. Tools like mobile safety apps and automated safety alerts allow businesses to monitor and manage safety risks more effectively.
Platforms like SiteConnect allow businesses to:
- Assign safety tasks and ensure accountability.
- Automate incident reporting and track responses.
- Create custom safety checklists to manage site-specific hazards.
- Monitor site-specific safety plans and get alerts when new risks arise.
With these technologies, businesses can create a safer, more transparent workplace. Workers and managers benefit from the real-time insights these tools offer, making it easier to prevent incidents before they happen.
Building a Safer Future for Kiwi Workers
The recent NZ Herald article underscores the urgent need to improve worker safety in New Zealand. Although the country’s safety regulations resemble those of Australia and the UK, New Zealand’s reactive approach to safety is putting workers at risk.
By adopting proactive regulation, investing in safety management software, and improving collaboration between businesses and the government, New Zealand can make strides toward improving worker safety. As businesses continue to embrace technology and foster a culture of safety, New Zealand has the potential to match Australia’s safety performance, reducing workplace incidents and saving lives.
