Summer continues to be the most deadly season for workplaces, provisional figures from the Department of Labour show.
Of 54 work-related deaths investigated by the department in the last year, 18 were in summer -- a third of the total.
Eleven occurred in autumn, 12 in winter, and 13 in spring.
That continued a long-running trend of higher injury rates in the summer season, said Craig Armitage, head of the department's Workplace Health and Safety service.
"Previously autumn has tended to be our second most deadly season, though this year there was also a disappointingly high number of deaths in spring and winter."
For the last two years the department had been running workplace health and safety campaigns to encourage people to take particular care during summer and autumn.
This year's campaign is just ending.
"The campaigns follow research showing workplace fatalities are consistently highest in summer, followed by autumn, particularly in the agricultural sector."
Previously there had been a trend for agriculture, forestry and construction to be the most dangerous industries, Mr Armitage said.
However, last summer and autumn the highest number of accidents, 12, occurred in the industrial and commercial sector.
Five occurred in the agricultural sector, five in the construction sector, two in forestry, one in the recreational sector and four in other sectors.
Research shows the two peak times for work-related fatal accidents during summer and autumn were late morning and mid afternoon, with workers aged between 45 and 54 most at risk.
Research showed off-road vehicles -- largely all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and tractors -- were a leading cause of death and injury on New Zealand farms.
The department was researching the hazards posed by ATVs in workplaces.
The loss of loved ones, the suffering of family and friends and the wider social and economic impacts of workplace deaths are immeasurable.
"That's why our latest campaign focused on the message of `taking care' so workers come home safely."
"Having a safe workplace makes good business sense. Research shows safe workplaces are more productive workplaces," he said.
These figures are based on investigations undertaken by the department, so do not include investigations into work-related deaths undertaken by other agencies, or deaths from long-term work-related illnesses. Annual statistics on workplace injuries are provided by Statistics New Zealand.
