Under scrutiny

NZ grapples with safety legislation

In New Zealand ports, H&S has been a particular concern after a series of high-profile wharf accidents, that have led to union calls for a much more rigid safety regime – amid frustration that the Government is stalling on H&S reforms.

In the most recent case, Lyttelton Port of Christchurch pleaded guilty to charges laid over the death of a maintenance fitter, taking responsibility for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure his safety as he operated a Snorkel scissor lift.

The prosecution led Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Wayne Butson to say that while the port and union had been working together to improve the culture on the waterfront, the culture would only change nationally if unions, management and WorkSafe (the Crown entity charged with ensuring workplace safety) had a united front.

“We also need to fast-track improvements to health and safety legislation – improvements the Government is stalling on,” he said.

The NZ Government has been accused of watering down the impact of its own Health and Safety Reform Bill. It has removed some provisions for businesses to have elected health and safety representatives, and has ruled out incorporating a crime of corporate manslaughter in the legislation.

Opposition parties and trade unions have accused the Government of undermining effective worker participation in H&S plans.

WorkSafe New Zealand high hazards and specialist services general manager Brett Murray told Port Strategy the organisation recognised the complications and hazardous working environments in ports, with multiple companies and contractors on site at the same time, often working independently.

“The major causes of harm on ports tend to be transport-related, falls from height and crushing incidents. There is also always the possibility of catastrophic failure caused by crane collapse. Large-scale fuel storage is also a potential hazard that must be managed at ports.”

WorkSafe has stepped up its engagement with the port sector and has met with union leaders and port chief executives in recent months and is encouraged by the leadership the sector is displaying in health and safety.