State of Thriving Nation Report – Health and Safety at Work
Health and Safety / 30 September 2024
After the release of the latest ‘State of a Thriving Nation’ Report released by the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum, it was revealed that workers are almost twice as likely to die in New Zealand compared to the UK and Australia.
New Zealand’s five-year average to 2024 has been consistently much higher than Australia (1.6 times) and also the UK (6.4 times) the report states.
This has created a huge financial toll of workplace fatalities and injuries in New Zealand, which has reached $4.9 Billion, an increase from the $4.4 billion in 2022. The total financial calculation considered the cost to Accident Compensation Corporation, private losses through income, the statistical value of life and the reported costs of health effects from WorkSafe NZ own 2023 reporting.
The report also detailed that nearly 50% of New Zealand employees are affected by poor workplace health and safety and the same amount of people had a positive perception of the country’s health system.
55% of the respondents that were surveyed for the report, said they would pay out of their own pocket a nominal amount to make work safer in New Zealand. This amount would equate to about $750 million a year by the people surveyed who were willing to contribute.
The report has motioned health and safety experts to call on the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden to consider the report’s findings in her upcoming review into health and safety.
Forum chief executive Francois Barton said “Every death, serious injury and ill-health from work is a reminder that we still have work to do.”
Message for Employers
If you are unsure as to your health and safety obligations, we can assist by giving detailed advice and can also help in providing education and training to directors and senior leadership teams on what this means in your context.
Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.
