Recently the news media communicated, somewhat inaccurately, the notion that the soon to be amended Health and Safety legislation was contemplating the incorporation of Manslaughter charges in cases where employees had died in or around a company’s environment. This communication was very quickly rebuffed, but what became abundantly clear is that the new Health and Safety legislation is designed to catch senior business leader’s attention.
Directors and companies are liable for fines up to $600,000 if it is proved they could have or should have done more to prevent serious injury. In addition if a company, and or its leader/s, are found to be negligent in their duties and an employee was critically injured then a jail term of up to five years may be incurred.
Recent well-publicised events where loss of life, or serious injury eventuated, has resulted in some stiff penalties being enacted under the new legislation. For senior leaders having verbal or written assurances that their organisation is complying with the requisite Health and Safety standard is not going to be enough. It is imperative that organisations have visible proof that their Health and Safety policy is alive and well in the organisation, but more importantly is being adopted, embraced and managed by all levels of the organisation, not just the shop floor. Being independently certified to a standard that is globally recognised is a solution that many companies are moving towards.
It provides business leaders with an independent verification that the company is on top of it its game and is putting its best foot forward to minimise or mitigate risks that might result in a serious or fatal injury being sustained. New Zealand’s leading Management System Certification body, Telarc, has recently noticed a significant increase in enquiries to evaluate and audit New Zealand businesses against an internationally recognised Health and Safety standard such as AS/NZS 4801. The belief in the market is that because of the new Health and Safety legislation organisations need to have in place a management system with international recognition to minimise the potential for transgressions and or subsequent legal action.
As organisations look at ways to mitigate risks and protect themselves and staff, it makes sense that preventing injury or death is smarter than possibly facing a time consuming, expensive and potentially crippling legal action. More and more New Zealand organisations are looking closely at their social and corporate responsibilities to not only protect workers but to identify and actively manage and minimise risk. It is a fact that certification reduces risk considerably and provides comfort and peace of mind at all levels that the organisation is doing everything in its power to protect their employees and business.
For more information phone 0800 004 004 or email info@telarc.co.nz
