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WorkSafe recently published a report on Workplace harm and risk in New Zealand. The whopping 106-page report is packed with valuable information on the current state of safety and highlights areas that need improvement to create a safer environment for everyone. 

Our certified Health and Safety Advisor Evette has pulled out all the stuff you need to know and provided advice on the safety areas you should focus on to make the biggest impact. 

NZ trends in work-related fatalities and injuries

Most work-related fatalities and serious injuries happen in just a few industries. Unfortunately, construction makes the list, as does agriculture, forestry & fishing, manufacturing, and transport. 

Over the past two decades, there has been a significant decline in the rate of fatalities and serious non-fatal injuries, with the fatality rate dropping by more than half. However, the pace of improvement has slowed down in the last ten years. 

Between 2017 and 2021, New Zealand’s work-related fatality rate was still 40% higher than Australia’s, even after taking into account economic activity and employment differences. Although the comparison with Australia is worrying, it shows us there is potential to improve our fatality rates in NZ.

This graph shows the number of injuries that resulted in more than a week off work from 2022 to 2023. The injury rate accounts for the number of people working in the industry, rather than the total number of injuries. 

Construction has the highest rate of all sectors.  In other words, a construction worker heading out the door for the day has a higher chance of injury than someone working in a factory, driving a truck, working on a farm, or any other industry. 

Types of injury

When we look at workplace injuries, we can group them into five main categories:

1. Sudden accidents: These are injuries that happen unexpectedly, often in industries like construction or manufacturing where the risk is high.
2. Airborne risks and carcinogens: This is exposure to harmful dust or other contaminants in the air. In New Zealand, over half of the workforce is exposed to at least one carcinogen. Unfortunately, in some industries, workers face multiple risks, and safety measures aren’t always properly enforced, leading to serious health issues over time.
3. Musculoskeletal risks: Jobs that involve heavy lifting, awkward positions, long periods of standing, or exposure to loud noise often lead to these kinds of injuries. These risks are especially common in physically demanding jobs.
4. Work environment and organisation risks: Things like shift work and extreme temperatures can cause both physical and mental stress for workers.
5. Psychosocial risks: High work demands, lack of job control, and negative behaviours like bullying or harassment are common across many industries.

The path forward

WorkSafe found that most serious injuries and deaths occur in just a few industries. To make these workplaces safer, it’s important to have strong safety measures in place. This means better safety rules (and enforcing them), providing proper training and resources for workers, and building a culture that values safety..

Here are some ways you can proactively create a safety culture on your site today: 

Lead by example: Take the initiative in promoting safety. Regularly demonstrate safe practices and make safety a priority in your daily tasks. Your actions will encourage others to follow suit.

Encourage open communication: Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing safety concerns. Encourage team members to share their thoughts and ideas on how to improve safety on-site.

Regular safety meetings: Schedule regular safety meetings to discuss any potential hazards, recent incidents, and preventive measures. Use these meetings as a platform to reinforce the importance of communication and teamwork.

Encourage reporting: Make it easy and non-intimidating for workers to report safety issues or concerns. Let them know their input is valued and will be acted upon.

Collaborate on solutions: Involve workers and contractors in finding solutions to safety challenges. By working together, you can come up with practical and effective ways to improve safety on-site.

Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate safety expectations and procedures to all workers and contractors. Ensure everyone knows their role in maintaining a safe work environment.

Evaluate and improve: Continuously assess your safety communication practices. Identify areas where communication might be lacking and take steps to strengthen it.

When we all understand the biggest causes of work-related harm, we can work together to create a future where every worker in New Zealand has a safe and healthy place to work.

For more information, you can check out our Fostering a Culture of Safety blog or download our Simple Guide to Toolbox Meetings. 

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) wants to hear about your experiences with the work health and safety system – how you think it’s working now, what you think works well, and what you think should change. We will be submitting our feedback and we encourage you to share your experiences too! https://www.mbie.govt.nz/have-your-say/work-health-and-safety