We have had a large increase in activity from New Zealand since the end of 2014. This increase can be directly linked to changes that are going to take place in 2015 connected to workplace health and safety.
Every day I am speaking with employees who are concerned about the new reforms coming towards the end of 2015. These companies are looking for ways to be more compliant. These companies are looking to provide the safest workplace.
The following information comes directly from the Ministry of business, innovation and employment website.
The Health and Safety Reform Bill has been introduced to Parliament, representing a major change to New Zealand’s health and safety system.
The Bill is part of ‘Working Safer: a blueprint for health and safety at work’ and reforms New Zealand’s health and safety system following the recommendations of the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety.
Working Safer is aimed at reducing New Zealand’s workplace injury and death toll by 25 per cent by 2020. Leadership and action from businesses, workers and Government will be needed to achieve this goal.
The Health and Safety Reform Bill will create the new Health and Safety at Work Act, replacing the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
The Health and Safety Reform Bill is currently before Parliament. The select committee considering the Bill is due to report back by 30 March 2015 and then the Bill will continue its progression through the parliamentary process. It is likely that the Bill will come into force in the second half of 2015.
There will be adequate time between when the Bill is passed and when it comes into force to make sure duty holders are aware of their responsibilities under the new law.
How do these changes impact Visitors that come to your business?
The working safer mantra is about reducing work-related fatalities and serious injury by 2020. This goal is all about saving lives and reducing serious injury that can ruin a persons life confining them to years of rehabilitation.
While the focus on the bill is about employees this bill also impacts any other person who is on your site including employees and contractors. The inquiries that started coming in at the end of 2014 and have continued strongly in 2015 are about safety of every person on site not just employees.
How can a Visitor Management System help?
A visitor management system can assist when a visitor first arrives taking the visitor through a light induction specific to your entrance to your building. For example a visitor may come through the reception area and complete a short lite induction where a contractor may go through a rear entrance and have to complete a more detailed induction.
Having your visitor, contractor complete and acknowledge and induction prior to coming onto your location gives you the ability to share health and safety information that must be read and electronically acknowledged as the person signs in.
Could your company be more compliant?
