About WorkSafe New Zealand
WorkSafe New Zealand: Ensuring Safe Workplaces for All
WorkSafe New Zealand is the country's primary workplace health and safety regulator. The organization is responsible for ensuring that all workplaces in New Zealand are safe and healthy for workers, visitors, and the general public. WorkSafe was established in 2013 as a result of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, which aimed to improve workplace health and safety standards across all industries.
The mission of WorkSafe is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by promoting safe work practices. The organization works closely with employers, employees, industry groups, unions, government agencies, and other stakeholders to achieve this goal. It provides guidance on best practices for managing workplace hazards such as chemicals, machinery, noise exposure or manual handling.
One of the key functions of WorkSafe is to enforce compliance with health and safety laws through inspections or investigations. Inspectors from WorkSafe visit workplaces regularly to ensure that they comply with relevant regulations such as those related to hazardous substances or electrical equipment. They also investigate accidents or incidents that occur in workplaces where there has been serious harm caused.
Workplace accidents can have devastating consequences not only for workers but also their families who may suffer financial hardship due to loss of income or medical expenses incurred during recovery periods. Therefore it's essential that employers take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to providing a safe working environment.
To help businesses meet their obligations under the law regarding workplace health & safety regulations; Worksafe offers a range of resources including online tools like "My Industry" which provides tailored advice based on your industry type; "Good Practice Guidelines" which provide practical advice on how you can manage risks within your business; "Safety Topics" which offer information about specific hazards like asbestos exposure or working at heights.
In addition to these resources available online; there are also training courses offered by Worksafe designed specifically for different industries such as construction sites where risks are higher than other sectors due mainly because they involve heavy machinery usage & high-risk activities like working at heights etc..
Another important aspect of Worksafe's role is educating people about workplace health & safety issues so they can make informed decisions about how best protect themselves while at work. This includes providing information about common hazards found in different types of workplaces (e.g., offices vs factories) along with tips on how individuals can reduce their risk exposure (e.g., taking regular breaks if sitting down all day).
Overall Worksafe plays an essential role in ensuring that every worker goes home safely each day without any injury caused by unsafe conditions within their place of employment - whether it be an office building or construction site! By enforcing compliance with relevant legislation through inspections/investigations while offering guidance/resources/training opportunities - Worksafe helps businesses create safer environments where everyone feels confident going into work each day knowing they're protected from harm!