A Senior Manager from the Department of Labour (DoL) in New Zealand has been in Great Britain this week to learn lessons from, and share knowledge with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The one week visit to the HSE's headquarters in Bootle, Merseyside, has been an opportunity for New Zealand officials to see in detail how Great Britain's health and safety regulator carries out its duties and discuss how it prepares to continue to drive down death and injury rates in the workplace.
The Group Manager for Workplace Services, Maarten Quivooy, says:
"We are facing similar challenges to HSE in ensuring standards of health and safety are not compromised during a period of economic recession and that stakeholders understand that effective risk control contributes to productivity and economic growth, and adds value for society.
"That means we need to reflect on how we can use our limited resources to greatest effect in bringing about better workplaces practices that ensure New Zealand workers are healthy, safe and productive at work. This visit is an excellent opportunity to learn from HSE's strong history and depth of experience in the field of health and safety. It's also an opportunity to establish a strong working relationship with HSE so that we can continue to share advice with each other."
The Deputy Chief Executive of the HSE, Kevin Myers, also commented on the visit.
"HSE has a strong record in reducing and regulating the risks to workplace health and safety, and this visit is a great opportunity to share our knowledge and experience with health and safety specialists from New Zealand.
"HSE is always very keen to learn how other countries focus their efforts on improving workplace safety, and this visit offers the opportunity to learn about practical examples of successful interventions in New Zealand."
Mr Quivooy is joined by Keith Stewart, a Health and Safety Practice Leader from the DoL's Workplace Group, on their visit to the HSE. They have been discussing smart regulation, the new HSE strategy, intervention strategies and approaches, how to advance occupational health, dealing with major hazards, and how to better communicate the importance of health and safety, as well as an opportunity to see the HSE service delivery in action in Manchester.
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