Logging company Mike Harris Earthmoving Limited was fined $100,000 at the Rotorua District Court after a worker suffered burns from an electric shock that left them without full use of their right hand
Any business conducting work near live powerlines must consider the risk they pose as part of its safety planning, says WorkSafe. Continue →
WorkSafe has accepted Enforceable Undertakings (EU) from two South Island companies following an incident that followed the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake
As part of the EUs, Marlborough Lines Limited and Dominion Salt Limited will carry out a number of health and safety initiatives aimed at improving safety in the electricity industry. Continue →
An employer has been ordered to repay six workers after reducing their salary to 80 per cent without legal consultation
Eastern Bays Hospice Trust, operating as Dove Hospice, was ordered to repay money owed to six workers after it unilaterally reduced workers’ salary to 80 per cent before making them redundant. Continue →
The COVID-19 situation continues to be stressful and challenging for many businesses, but it’s important to remember that employment legislation has not changed, says MBIE
Many employers are feeling the pressure to adapt quickly to the new environment. Continue →
As Auckland returns to Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country to Level 2, we must once again adapt the way we work and go about our lives
Four new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in one family in South Auckland. Continue →
Strings Attached Limited was ordered to pay over $400,000 in reparations and consequential loss to a worker who was paralysed in a four metre fall and will never walk again
In a reserved decision released last week, Strings Attached Limited was ordered to pay the victim following the incident in East Tamaki in November 2017. Continue →
Simply identifying health and safety risks is not enough, the New Zealand meat company has learned after a worker suffered a life-threatening infection following an incident at the company’s plant in Imlay
In June 2015 a worker was cleaning up an offal spill, when some raw material squirted into his eye. Continue →
With the announcement today that New Zealand is moving to COVID-19 alert level 1 at 11:59 on Monday 8th June, the construction industry has now published a revised standard and protocols for ongoing operations
Key changes from alert level 2 to alert level 1 are:
The relaxing of physical distancing requirements on site. Continue →
Homeowners, builders and DIYers will soon have an easier time making basic home improvements as the Government scraps the need for consents for low-risk building work
The Government is introducing new exemptions to the Building Act in a move save homeowners $18 million in consenting costs each year, though building work must still meet the Building Code, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa announced today. Continue →
Businesses and services need to meet public health requirements under the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Alert Level 2) Order 2020 which has been brought in by the Government to set out what you need to do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, WorkSafe reports
Moving to Alert Level 2 brings many more PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking – businesses, not-for-profits and other organisations) back to work. Continue →
Industry and government have been working with Site Safe to update the existing construction protocols to reflect what is now permitted under Level 2
Site Safe Chief Executive Brett Murray says “we’ve been working with a cross-industry working group to make sure everyone has access to this important information as soon as possible, so businesses will have time to get to grips with what level 2 means for them. Continue →
Under alert Level 3 all businesses that are permitted to resume operations need to have a COVID-19 safety plan that sets out how they’ll operate safely, says the Head of WorkSafe’s General Inspectorate Jo Pugh
To help meet the requirements for Level 3 work arrangements, WorkSafe New Zealand has developed a template to help workplaces consider the risks introduced by COVID-19 and how they can mitigate them. Continue →
Businesses need to focus on known and understood health and safety risks, alongside those of COVID-19, to limit any spike in incident numbers as we leave Level 4 lockdown, says New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) President Greg Dearsly
These comments echo those of the Government’s support of “safe” economic activity at Level 3 and the importance of staying safe and looking after each other. Continue →
More businesses can start operating again under Alert Level Three on 28 April, however they must take health and safety measures to keep their workers safe
Many businesses will be looking to restart after several weeks in lockdown. Continue →
A new national Standard and Protocols have been developed for the construction industry, providing clarity over what will be expected as the industry returns to work under Alert Level 3
“The government’s announcement that construction will be able to operate under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 is a huge relief to us all,” says Civil Contractors New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock. Continue →
Does Worksafe New Zealand have the will to follow the lead of the Labour Inspectorate and prosecute company officers for offences committed by the company? Continue →
Failure to impose and enforce an effective anti-bullying policy in the workplace could prove expensive for employers
By Jerome Matthews (LLB)
A recent judgement handed down in the NSW District Court awarded damages in the sum of $1,394,000.91 plus interest and costs to the plaintiff Mr Ward for conduct calculated to cause harm. Continue →
Flawed floor earns a big payout for one casino player who slipped and sustained back injuries
By Jerome Matthews (LLB)
Casino operators Star Pty Ltd were ordered to pay A$150,000 after a NSW court ruled they were in breach of their duty of care to a customer who slipped and fell in its Star Casino. Continue →
