02 September 2002

ACC Stats Show Need For Stronger Health And Safety Law

“ACC projections of rising workplace deaths and injuries show the urgency for stronger workplace health and safety law,’ said Council of Trade Unions secretary Paul Goulter today.

An ACC Booklet launched today shows 92 people were killed and a further 30,660 were injured in workplace ‘accidents’ last year.

“The new Parliament needs to prioritise new workplace health and safety law, supporting a greater role for elected and trained health and safety reps,” said Paul Goulter.

“Many more people are injured on the job than at home and the cost to the country, employers and workers is huge.”

Paul Goulter said on top of the death and injury figures the impact of work-related disease added up to a crisis which must be addressed with urgency.

“The statistic of over 30,000 moderate or serious injuries must be addressed by those who are best placed to do so - workers themselves, through an increased role of health and safety reps,” he said.

“The reality is that we have to act with urgency, not only to prevent the anguish to the families and friends of hundreds of workers who die or are injured from work-related accidents or disease every year, but also to avoid mounting costs to the country, workers and employers,” said Paul Goulter.

ENDS

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