Another World First for NZ: Preventing Injury in Libraries

Wednesday 1 April 1998

Despite their harmless reputation, libraries are experiencing an increasing rate of workplace injury, prompting the New Zealand Library and Information Association (NZLIA) to develop the world’s first code of practice for this sector, which will be launched in Wellington tomorrow.

With the support of the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) and with the sponsorship of library supplier firms, the NZLIA has created the Voluntary Code of Practice on Health and Safety in New Zealand Libraries.

"Work-related injuries in libraries rose 38% in just two years," said NZLIA spokesperson Ruth Maceachern. "Most of these injuries fell into the categories of Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS), or sprains and strains."

"The Code has the dual aim of educating staff about their responsibilities under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, and acting as a practical guide to combat the growing incidences of OOS and other injuries in New Zealand’s libraries and information centres," Ms Maceachern said.

Such codes of practice although voluntary, are widely adopted as industry standards of safe work practice in New Zealand.

"The NZLIA has also established a taskforce to maintain a watching brief on heath and safety in libraries, and will update the Code when needed," said Ms Maceachern.

The Voluntary Code of Practice is dedicated to the memory of OSH information specialist Rebekah Wards, who first identified the need for the document and obtained support from the NZLIA. Rebekah died in a road accident on Christmas Eve 1995.