Government's Health and Safety at Work Strategy launched

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Iain Lees-Galloway launched the Government's Health and Safety at Work Strategy on 13 December at Parliament.

The 10 year strategy aims to reduce the number of workplace health and safety injuries and deaths, and improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

Minister Lees-Galloway says that putting New Zealander's at the centre of the strategy is key.

"We have made significant progress in reducing work-related harm since the Pike River tragedy but it is clear there is much more we can and must do. There are still 50-60 deaths from work injuries each year and 600-900 deaths from exposures to health risks associated with their work. This is unacceptably high and the pace of progress has stalled.

"New Zealand can be among the world-leaders for workplace health and safety if we can get our attitudes and practices right. The Strategy will help us achieve this, by focusing on what makes the biggest impact in key areas that we must improve."

The strategy was jointly developed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and WorkSafe New Zealand, together with a range of stakeholders.