ACC initiative to make workplace healthier, safer

ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says this will help make it easier for Kiwi businesses to keep their workplaces healthy and safe.

The $22 million over five years will go into an incentive programme to help businesses reduce workplace injury.

“The subsidies are designed to support small and medium-sized businesses to invest in training, equipment or advisory services that will have a direct impact on the health and safety of workplaces,” he says.

"This is particularly important for smaller businesses which haven't previously been able to access this type of support because the barriers have been too high.

“The Government is determined to ensure that all New Zealanders can return home to their friends and whanau in the same health as when they began their day at work.”

In 2017 ACC claims for work related injuries totalled 231,651. Five sectors currently represent over half (52%) of all severe workplace injuries, namely agriculture, construction, forestry, manufacturing, healthcare and social assistance.

Compared to international standards, New Zealand has a higher rate of injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

The programme will include two types of assistance:

o Workplace injury prevention grants: These grants provide funding for organisations to help solve workplace health and safety problems that affect multiple businesses in an industry or supply chain.

o Workplace injury prevention subsidies: Injury prevention subsidies are available to help small to medium businesses access services and other supports that are known to improve workplace health and safety.

Lees-Galloway says the Government is serious about improving health and safety in Kiwi workplaces.