Assurance by OSH of work scheme coverage

Sunday 11 October 1998

The application of health and safety legislation to the Community Work Scheme was spelled out by the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour.(OSH) today.

"Sponsors have the same obligation to Community Work Scheme workers as employers have to employees under the OSH-administered Health and Safety in Employment Act," said OSH spokesperson Lisa-Marie Richan.

"OSH will investigate any complaints from community workers about the safety or health of their working conditions, in the same way it investigates complaints from any New Zealand employee," Ms Richan said.

"OSH will also respond to requests from Community Work Scheme sponsors about their legal obligations, in the same way the Service responds to any employer,"

"OSH will monitor the sort of requests received and will make information available to sponsors, through WINZ, about any common issues," said Ms Richan.