Workplace fatalities prompt warnings to New Zealand workers

Tuesday 12 January 1999

The Occupational Health and Safety Service of the Department of Labour (OSH) is again urging people to take extra care at work following four workplace-related deaths in just two weeks.

Two loggers, a farm manager and a self-employed bus driver have all been killed in the two week period from Christmas Eve to Thursday January 7.

Prior to Christmas OSH called for increased workplace vigilance as, historically, OSH figures show more people are killed at work over the summer months.

"OSH is now repeating that warning in the wake of these latest deaths," said OSH Business Development and Operations Manager Geoff Wilson.

"What makes these figures even more alarming is that the deaths occurred at a time when the majority of the workforce is on holiday."

In January last year OSH investigated nine workplaces deaths. "We do not want to see those tragic figures repeated again this January," said Mr Wilson.

"Everyone - employers, employees and the self-employed - need to be careful and not let work pressures override safety considerations.

"Parents also need to be vigilant during the school holiday period and be aware that accidents have occurred during holidays with unsupervised children wandering onto construction sites.

"Similarly, farms are dangerous places for children, with accidents often resulting from the dangerous use of vehicles such as tractors and ATVs.

"Parents are also advised not to take children to work with them during the school holidays. Workplaces are not suitable places for children to be looked after during the school holidays. In fact, it is illegal for them to be in many workplaces unless they are directly supervised."

Already in the year beginning July 1 1998 two children under five years old have been killed in workplace accidents.