Report calls for clear, simple OSH info

The Department of Labour has been told it must take urgent action to improve materials supplied to businesses to help them develop effective occupational health and safety systems.

The message comes in a new report which stressed the need for plain language and clear, concise information, as well as practical advice and solutions.

It concluded that New Zealand's regulatory framework lacked a commitment to providing businesses with codes of practice and guidance materials designed to encourage and help ensure compliance and support best practice.

As a result, codes of practice were rarely developed and, when they were, could be out of date and inconsistent with industry practice.

The Review of the Key Characteristics that Determine the Efficacy of OHS Instruments was commissioned by the National Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee (NOHSAC) in conjunction with the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.

The first of its kind undertaken, the review analysed the range of resources supplied to businesses, including approved codes of practice and guidance materials.

The subsequent report was based on an extensive international literature review, detailed interviews and questionnaires, and an online survey of users in Australia and New Zealand.

NOHSAC chair Professor Neil Pearce said the Department of Labour, the Government's lead agency for the workplace health and safety strategy, must take urgent action to remedy the situation.

"The department is required to provide information and education to help employers, employees and other people to improve workplace safety," he said.

"We know that businesses, especially small enterprises, don't have the resources to source this information themselves - and that employers, unions and OHS practitioners are deeply concerned about the lack of workplace support and guidance from government agencies," he said.

"It's vital that we do something about this if we're to reduce the country's unacceptable rate of work-related illnesses and injuries."

Prof Pearce called on the department to dedicate additional funding to developing and disseminating up-to-date and relevant advice for workplaces.

The report identified a number of key characteristics, including the need for plain language and clear, concise information, as well as practical advice and solutions.

"It's also important to keep material up to date and relevant, and consider online as well as in-print distribution channels," he said.

New Zealand was well placed to set an international example for its occupational health and safety performance.

"We simply need more commitment from the government agencies involved, so that together we can achieve the Workplace Health and Safety Strategy's vision of healthy people in safe and productive workplaces," said Prof Pearce.