The following Media Release was put out on 8th December 2014:
A landmark partnership to improve capability in workplace health and safety
A breakthrough opportunity for health and safety practitioners has been announced by the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) today.
New Zealand has unacceptably high rates of workplace fatalities, serious harm injuries and work-related disease and illness. Work is underway to achieve a 25 percent reduction in these by 2020.
With establishment funding from WorkSafe, the NZISM will deliver a complete accreditation framework for health and safety practitioners in New Zealand by mid-late 2015.
The NZISM began implementing an accreditation framework in 2009 and is now striving to unlock the full potential and benefits of a comprehensive accreditation framework.
NZISM’s National Manager, Tony Rigg, says professional accreditation of our health and safety practitioners is a crucial element in improving workplace health and safety standards in New Zealand.
The establishment of a broader accreditation framework responds to key recommendations in the April 2013 Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety report. Quality delivery of this project means that we can be assured that the health and safety practitioners delivering advice in New Zealand workplaces are competent to do so.
“Such a framework will offer increase visibility of, confidence in and access to quality health and safety advice,” Mr Rigg says.
“This transparent and robust framework will be designed to accommodate and support a wide range of practitioners with varying levels of knowledge, skills and experience. It will offer a choice of pathways, accessible professional development options, be globally recognised and supported by a mentoring programme.”
Mr Rigg says the NZISM has recently appointed a dedicated project manager to oversee the establishment of the project and ensure comprehensive stakeholder engagement with the objectives and outcomes of accreditation.
“We will leverage our core values of proactivity, professionalism and preparedness to foster excellence in workplace health and safety management. We have already kicked off the project with exhaustive research and evaluation enabling us to work closely with practitioners to develop an accreditation framework New Zealand needs. ”
This work is part of an extensive and co-ordinated effort to prevent ill-health, injury and death. Over time, this will enhance quality of life for New Zealanders, foster higher productivity and contribute to reduced medical and other costs.
“WorkSafe alone can’t meet the Government’s target of reducing death and serious harm by 25% by 2020. We will make safety our strength.” Mr Rigg says.
Over the coming weeks and months, the NZISM will be providing updates online at
www.nzism.co.nz.
