Risk assessment stories
Businesses ignoring known hazards face tougher penalties after WorkSafe New Zealand said identifying risks is not enough to keep workers safe.
Two employees suffered severe hand injuries after a bench saw incident, prompting fines and reparations for two related firms in North Shore court.
A trainee electrician suffered serious burns in Karori after unsafe maintenance near live electricity sparked a flashover, with two firms fined.
A rushed roofing job left Jason Anker paralysed, and his warning is now prompting workers to speak up about unsafe conditions.
Two fatal accidents and multiple near misses show how quickly mobile plant can overturn or drown when water, darkness and soft ground combine.
A flexible, mobile-friendly system is helping Greater Wellington Regional Council improve incident reporting across offices, parks, boats and remote work sites.
Workplace injuries fall when managers back safety with funding, fast fixes and staff who feel safe to speak up.
Remote workers’ homes can count as workplaces, leaving employers on the hook for safety checks, policies and incident response.
Employers are being urged to tighten cycle safety after a new Brake guide warns of risks to staff and fleets.
Patients could face disrupted care and higher risks as a Microsoft security chief warns New Zealand health systems remain easy targets for hackers.
Risk assessments and worker engagement have helped the Westport family farm cut hazards, after a contractor was injured there.
An Otago University study says Christchurch’s liquefaction-affected soil could not support Legionella, ruling it out as a direct cause of the spike.
Missing the certified system by 4 April will invalidate licences, forcing asbestos removers to stop work and risking prosecution.
Senior managers are being urged to tackle work-related road risk as new free guidance highlights safety, compliance and cost savings.
Many firms still face health and safety blind spots, with the new audit rating contractors and workplaces before fines or jail become a risk.
Two-thirds of New Zealand businesses may be missing contractor and workplace risks, with fines or imprisonment possible under new law.
A drainage contractor was fined NZD $48,875 after poor hazard planning left a worker run over by an excavator and badly injured.
The fatal collapse exposed gaps in risk controls after WorkSafe found the packaging firm relied on workers to manage dangerous machinery themselves.
Left untreated, repetitive workplace tasks can trigger debilitating hand pain and tingling, forcing businesses to act on a serious health risk.
Farmers hosting duck shooting or other events face duties to manage hazards for visitors under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
