Media Release

11 May 2009

A community project that aims to reduce accident rates among Pacific Island workers received the judges’ commendation award at the country’s premier health and safety awards.

The Puataunofo project in Manukau City was recognised in the category ‘Best Initiative to Encourage Engagement in Health and Safety’ in the Safeguard Awards at Auckland’s Sky City Convention Centre this week.

Puataunofo produced a DVD Come Home Safely which was launched in September 2008to raise awareness of health and safety issues for Pasefika workers, particularly in high-risk workplaces.

Members of the Puataunofo project team also visited workplaces and were present at community events and festivals passing on the message that health and safety is everyone’s business.

Puataunofo project partners include the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Manukau City Council/Injury Free Counties Manukau, Pasefika Injury Prevention Aukilana/Pasefika Community, ACC, the Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union, the New Zealand CTU’s Komiti Pasefika and the Injury Prevention Network of Aotearoa.

EPMU spokesperson Jerome Mika is delighted Puataunofo’s success has been recognised.

“The Puataunofo project represents the most exciting development for health and safety in a very long time. It speaks to the whole community, even though it has Pacific Island workers and their community as its focus.

“The material and activities provided are engaging and imaginative.  The Pacific Island community has shown real leadership to all of us. The EPMU – through its Komiti Pasefika – is privileged to be part of this project.”

Department of Labour head of Workplace Health and Safety Craig Armitage says Puataunofo is a chance for Pacific people to spread the health and safety message by telling their own stories.

“Come Home Safely tells the stories of two men behind the injury statistics.  We wanted people to hear first-hand how devastating workplace accidents can be —not just for the people directly involved but for their families, workmates, friends and communities.

He says Puataunofo’s success is further evidence that everyone has a role to play in making our workplaces safer.

“Everyone has to work together to keep a workplace safe, because everyone is affected if one person is hurt.”

ENDS

Tanu Toso, from Pasefika Injury Prevention Aukilana, is available to do interviews about the Puataunofo project. A copy of the DVD Come Home Safely is also available from the Department of Labour.