WorkSafe is making inquiries following the death of a child after leaving a school van earlier this week.
The boy, who attended a school for children with special needs, died on Monday. RNZ understands he was under the age of 10.
WorkSafe northern regional manager Brad Duggan said work-related transport must be planned and managed so that risks were identified and controlled.
This included ensuring systems were in place to keep people safe when getting on and off vehicles, and that vulnerable people were properly accounted for.
Where there were work activities involved, WorkSafe expected those responsible to take all reasonable steps to prevent harm, Duggan said, and failures in these systems could have devastating consequences.
A statement from the school on behalf of the principal said the boy was "dearly loved" and asked for the family's privacy to be respected.
It said the school's board and leadership had support in place for staff and students.
"It's really sad and a hard time for the school community and the boy's family.
"He was a very loved young man."
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |
