What each Dashboard dial shows

Fewer Injuries and Fatalities

The situation

• Work-related fatality rates and injury claims are trending down, but serious non-fatal injury rates are static
• Agriculture, forestry and fishing, construction and manufacturing have the highest injury and fatality rates and are priority sectors in the National Action Agenda
• NZ's rate of workplace deaths is slightly higher than other developed economies, but comparisons are unreliable.

The outlook

• Estimated projections for 2009 (fatal) and 2010 (serious non-fatal) show no significant changes to trends
• Fatalities notified to the Department of Labour in 2010, including 29 at Pike River Mine, indicate a likely rise in official rates
• The National Action Agenda will focus on the priority sectors to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries.

Less Occupational Disease

The situation

• Asbestos related cancer, asthma, dermatitis and circulatory diseases are the most prevalent occupational diseases, with the highest toll
• Agencies do not yet have a comprehensive assessment of the impact of work-related disease
• Tracking is difficult, particularly for long-latency illnesses
• There is a strong tendency for occupational diseases to be under-reported
• Data on the impact of stress and fatigue are only beginning to be gathered.

The outlook

• A model for surveillance of occupational cancer, respiratory diseases and dermatitis will be developed and piloted by December 2011.

Lower Economic Cost

The situation

• There is no single accepted way of estimating the full social and economic cost of work-related injury and disease, but it is estimated by the Department to be about $16 billion
• Direct costs broadly include health and ACC costs, rehabilitation and lost productivity; indirect costs cover non-monetary impacts such as suffering and premature death
• ACC work-related claim costs have risen steadily despite fewer claims being made
• Measures of lost productivity (lost time and return to work rate) have worsened over time
• Priority sector industries make the largest contribution to the total cost burden.

The outlook

• By December 2011, agencies will work towards a single, more widely accepted estimate of total costs.

Improved Industry and Employee

The situation

• Businesses and employees report high rates of health and safety management in workplaces
• While there is strong interest among industry leaders to improve health and safety, it is still seen as difficult by many SMEs
• Most medium to large businesses encourage employee participation in health and safety and provide training for staff
• Health and safety representative training numbers have dropped due to reduced funding.

The outlook

• The National Action Agenda will focus on encouraging industry leadership and engagement in the priority sectors.

Increased Response to Government Activity

The situation

• Response to the Department's enforcement and proactive engagement activities has decreased slightly in 2009/10
• Participation in ACC schemes designed to improve health and safety in the workplace is increasing
• High numbers of people continue to access health and safety information through online services.

The outlook

• The Department will be better targeting its enforcement and proactive activity towards poorer performing workplaces and priority sectors
• Focused harm-reduction activity in key areas, such as quad bikes, is starting to produce positive results
• ACC has recently introduced an experience rating system into its Work Account, to provide further incentives for improving workplace safety.