New Health and Safety Association Launched

MEDIA RELEASE

10 September 2014

New Health and Safety Association Launched

A new umbrella association for workplace health and safety professions in New Zealand has been established. The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) was launched on 10 September 2014 in Auckland by George Adams, Chair of the Independent Forestry Safety Review and of the Occupational Health Advisory Group set up by WorkSafe NZ.

HASANZ aims to raise professional standards across the occupational health and safety sector to provide healthier and safer workplaces for New Zealanders.

It has been created in response to the findings of the Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety following the Pike River mining disaster. The Government’s resulting Working Safer package of reforms (2013) included a commitment to set up a representative body for health and safety professionals to help prevent serious harm and fatalities at work.

“Business wants clarity on how to deliver against the new accountabilities for workplace health and safety and on occasions where they need external advice, that will entail the ability to identify, select and to trust a professional or a professional organisation,” said George Adams. “Having a well placed and well known and effective body such as HASANZ, which is set up to do just that, will be vital going forward.”

“As an association of associations, HASANZ is a first point of contact for government on workplace health and safety matters and the “go to place” for businesses seeking support and advice,” said HASANZ and NZ Occupational Hygiene Society representative Suzanne Broadbent at the launch.

Founding member organisations include: the Australian/New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand, Maintenance Engineers Society of New Zealand, NZ Institute of Hazardous Substances Management, New Zealand Institute of Safety Management, NZ Occupational Health Nurses Association, NZ Occupational Hygiene Society, New Zealand Safety Council, New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists (Occupational Group) and Occupational Therapy New Zealand.

“A step change in workplace health and safety in New Zealand requires us to work more collaboratively and to give as much emphasis to health as to safety,” said HASANZ representative and New Zealand Institute of Safety Management National Manager Tony Rigg. “HASANZ is committed to promoting excellence in workplace health and safety practice.”

A priority is improving access to quality advice for businesses by creating an online register of competent health and safety professionals.

“It’s important that people have confidence in the health and safety advice they receive,” said Tony Rigg. “It’s also important they know where to go for reliable information. Working together with industry and government, HASANZ will enable workplace health and safety professions to provide better guidance and support to employers and workers for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”

For more information go to www.hasanz.org.nz or email info@hasanz.org.nz

Ends

Background information

What?

Setting the standard for health and safety advice and services in the workplace.

The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) is the umbrella organisation for workplace health and safety professions in New Zealand.

HASANZ represents 10 diverse organisations with a shared purpose – to raise professional standards to provide healthier and safer workplaces for New Zealanders.

We promote excellence in workplace health and safety (H&S) practice.

We are:

• an association of associations

• a truly representative body for workplace H&S professionals in New Zealand, designed for us, by us

• a trusted voice for H&S professionals

• a first point of contact for government on workplace H&S matters

• the “go to place” for information and support in the H&S space.

• A priority is improving access to quality advice for businesses by creating an online register of competent workplace health and safety professionals.

Increased professionalism = increased confidence in health and safety advice and services.

Who?

Founding member organisations include:

• Australian/New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM)

• Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand (HFESNZ)

• Maintenance Engineers Society of New Zealand (MESNZ)

• NZ Institute of Hazardous Substances Management (NZIHSM)

• New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM)

• NZ Occupational Health Nurses Association (NZOHNA)

• NZ Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS)

• New Zealand Safety Council (NZSC)

• New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists (Occupational Group) (NZSP)

• Occupational Therapy New Zealand (OTNZ).

Why?

Establishing a representative body for health and safety professionals was a commitment in the Government’s Working Safer package of reforms (2013) developed in response to the findings of the Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety (2012).

HASANZ supports the Government’s target of reducing the rate of fatalities and serious injuries in the workforce by at least 25% by 2020.

A step change in workplace health and safety performance in New Zealand requires us to work collaboratively to drive effective solutions.

HASANZ will help workplace H&S professionals provide better guidance and support to businesses for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

How?

• Professional standards – engaging with the education sector to raise the level of the health and safety curriculum content to enhance the credibility and recognition of the health and safety professions.

• Professional excellence – promoting robust collaboration between health and safety professions.

• Industry advocacy – promoting and influencing public policy and resource allocation decisions.

• Health and safety leadership – engaging with communities and businesses to provide informed assurance on health and safety.

• Stakeholder engagement – increasing the visibility and reputation of the health and safety professions.

When?

HASANZ is an incorporated society launched on 10 September 2014.

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