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LIFE SAVING INITIATIVE A FIRST FOR NZ
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (21 April 2010) - A life-saving initiative aimed at reducing workplace injuries and deaths is being introduced for the first time in New Zealand.
New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) National Operations & Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Manager Neville Rockhouse, says the initiative is the start of an entire industry regulating itself in the best interests of both company safety managers and private consultants.
“The initiative has come about after we began searching for an internationally acceptable continuing professional development (CPD) standard for New Zealand safety practitioners.
“It turns out that the UK has the most compatible continuing professional development framework that we in New Zealand are now adopting. This initiative promises to revolutionise the safety industry here.”
Mr Rockhouse says a memorandum of understanding between NZISM and the UK’s Institution of Occupational Safety (IOSH) outlines, for the first time in New Zealand, the minimum standards required for professional safety practitioners.
“This means that if a company takes any health and safety advice from a practitioner, that safety professional will be suitably qualified to give such advice. It will get rid of the cowboy operators that every unregulated industry suffers from.
“With over 1,000 work-related deaths in New Zealand each year and an estimated $5 billion cost to businesses, this MoU will ensure safety practitioners in New Zealand are of the very highest calibre.
“This is a historic development in New Zealand’s health and safety industry.”
For further information, contact Neville Rockhouse, National Operations & CPD Manager, New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) on 027 664 1042.
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ENDS
The signing of the memorandum of understanding between NZISM and IOSH will take place this Friday (April 23) at the Ernst & Young Building, The Majestic Centre, Level 24, 100 Willis Street, Wellington from 9am. Neville Rockhouse is also Safety & Training Manager at Pike River Coal;
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