Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Proposed changes to the management of health and safety risks will address some management issues, but systemic problems still need to be tackled according to business and union leaders.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the government will legislate to clarify the responsibilities for the day-to-day management of health and safety risks between operational managers and board directors.
The proposal also aimed to exempt small businesses from much of the red tape associated with the legislation.
"It's disappointing to see the minister has ignored the widespread consensus on what New Zealand needs to do to improve its poor track record and instead has chosen to carve out small businesses from good health and safety practices," Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff said.
Council of Trade Unions president Richard Wagstaff. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
"Exempting small businesses from best practice health and safety makes no sense when we know that small business are riskier and need more support."
Wagstaff said the minister had ignored critical issues put forward in a letter from businesses, unions, experts and academics.
"We all met with the minister and wrote to her and said we need to strengthen the existing system," he said.
"We need better leadership and coordination. We need to invest in workforce and work safe, not disinvest. And we need better regulations and guidance.
"She seems to have missed all of those things, and gone in the direction of lessening the government's role on the regulator's role in ensuring people are safe at work."
Employers and Manufacturers safety manager Paul Jarvie said there was more work to do, but the measures were still positive.
"If you look at all the changes that the minister's putting forward. The question is it going to be enough? Does it address the systemic issues?" Jarvie said.
"Probably not, but individually, the changes that have been announced, do make some difference."
Institute of Directors general manager Guy Beatson said the clarification was something directors had been asking for and would help remove duplication and confusion between the duties of directors and managers.
"We have advocated for a clearer division between governance and operational responsibilities," Beatson said.
"Current legal frameworks can blur this line, creating uncertainty for directors who are responsible for strategic oversight but not daily operational control.
"Clarifying that boards are accountable for risk management and safety culture - not hands-on management - will mean directors can better focus on their core governance role without inadvertently overstepping."
Beatson said the proposal was also the first time public policy clearly set out the separation of roles between directors and the operations.
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