National Employment Standards and the KiwiRail MECA
The workplace has always been a common source of injury, infections, and diseases. It is estimated that each year there are also approximately 700-1000 deaths from occupational disease and 100 deaths from occupational injury. In addition, each year there are approximately 17,000 – 20,000 new cases of work-related disease and 200,000 occupational accidents resulting in ACC claims.
As there are inherent risks in a work environment, the Government has developed legislation, regulations, codes, and sets of guidelines to promote and protect the health and safety of workers.
By Hazel Armstrong and Kristen Bunn
Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
Discusses employees rights under the Health and Safety in Employment Act to refuse unsafe work. Includes discussion of Darbyshire v PPCS Ltd where the Employment Relations Authority ruled against the employees.
By Ben Thompson
Enforcing the HSE Act
Examines the 2002 amendments to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
By Hazel Armstrong and Rob Brier
REPORTS
CASES
External Links
- ACC – What support can I get?
- ACC futures
- ACC Read Codes
- Accident Compensation Act 2001 No 49 (as at 01 August 2011)
- Assessment of Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss for ACC
- Health Information Privacy Code 1994
- Increases to ACC client payments
- Ministry of Justice
- New Zealand Council of Trade Union ACC campaign page
- New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
- Non-treating doctors performing medical assessments of patients for third parties – standards of practice
- Parliamentary debates
- Payments for Mental Harm – Marcus Elliott
- Public Service Association privatisation campaign page
- Radio Live 'History of ACC' interview with Hazel Armstrong
- Statistics New Zealand Official Injury Information Plan 2010-2012
- Statutes of New Zealand
- Te Ara Encyclopedia – Workplace Safety and Compensation
- The University of Auckland ACC Group
- UK Health and Safety Executive- Hand Arm Vibration Exposure Calculator