Rotorua District Council Gets Thumbs Up From ACC At Napier Conference

Rotorua District Council's progressive leadership of community and workplace safety initiatives has received a ringing endorsement from ACC's CEO.
 
Dr Jan White was the keynote speaker at the annual Local Government Health and Safety Conference in Napier, September 16 -18.
 
In the 2006/2007 year ACC looked after more than 1.8 million claims from people injured in New Zealand, with 23,378 of those from the Rotorua district.
 
Dr White told the conference that councils have a huge part to play in keeping New Zealanders safe as they work and play. That can also be economically beneficial because people - including tourists - are attracted to safe places like Rotorua.
 
ACC has established relationships with 40 councils, of which 24 have signed agreements with ACC, and planned health and safety activities in place.
 
Jan White said the best way to improve safety and injury figures is to "share the goal" with other organisations like ACC, government, industry, the education sector, community groups, and iwi.
 
"Rotorua District Council is a great example of a partnership that is new but is progressive with some good engagement to date," she said.
 
Dr White praised the council's collaborative activities over ACC New Zealand Safety Week, its work towards the best practice level of the Workplace Safety Management Programme, and its efforts to spread road safety messages during community road programmes.
 
She also mentioned the collaboration between the council, ACC, the Department of Labour and Site Safe to present and attend safer industry construction breakfasts, and also that local retailers and hire equipment operators will be approached to work together to support local DIY safety projects focusing on the safe use of ladders.
 
Jan White also congratulated Rotorua for its pursuit of the World Health Organisation's Safe Community accreditation. Only six New Zealand cities and communities have that distinction.
 
ACC's Rotorua Branch manager, Tracey Boyes said that ACC and local government are natural partners for taking leadership in creating safe communities.
 
"Not only are councils large employers, they have a wide sphere of influence in the communities and are responsible for many public spaces. Combining workplace health and safety responsibilities with improving community safety is practical and effective. We look forward to working with the Rotorua District Council on many more projects to come," Ms Boyes said.

ENDS

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