New Zealand Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced targeted consultation with farmers and the wider agriculture sector to...
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This week’s announcement by New Zealand’s Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden on reviewing the risks associated with Worker Exposure Standards for wood dust and machine guarding has been welcomed by the Wood Products and Manufacturing Association. Source: Timberbiz The proposed changes aim to ensure standards reflect real-world risks and align with international benchmarks. The NZ Government says manufacturers have said that the current rules are unclear and difficult to apply, leading to unnecessary costs and compliance burden. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the proposed changes aim to ensure standards reflect real-world risks and align with international benchmarks. Manufacturers have said that the current rules are unclear and difficult to apply, leading to unnecessary costs and compliance burden. She said that as an example of the law’s confusion, a business owner told her they got conflicting advice from WorkSafe inspectors on identical machinery guarding in Auckland and Christchurch, deeming the same machine guarding to be compliant in one city but non-compliant in another city. Wood processors and manufacturers also gave feedback that they felt constrained by Workplace Exposure Standards that don’t reflect operational realities or international benchmarks. “Many described the current approach as overly rigid and unclear, with one participant saying the standards are ‘an overreaction to risk which will cripple the industry’.” The Workplace Exposure Standards for soft wood dust, hard wood dust, and welding fumes will be reviewed, with an aim to improve clarity and better align with international standards. “Businesses expressed frustration that the wood dust standard is impractical and not based on realistic risk assessments. They want a system that is both protective and practical, and these changes aim to provide that,” Ms van Velden said. WPMA Chief Executive Mark Ross said the current approach to workplace safety regulations in these areas had been described by WPMA members as inconsistent and therefore unclear. “Some businesses have invested tens of thousands of dollars in equipment and controls but still struggle to comply with standards that don’t align with international benchmarks or practical realities,” he said. “Wood processing businesses have expressed frustration that the softwood dust standard is impractical and not based on realistic risk assessments. They are wanting a system that is both protective and practical, and the changes announced by the Minister aim to provide that,” Mr Ross said. “When our wood processing businesses can focus on managing genuine risks rather than navigating complex and sometimes contradictory regulations, they can operate more efficiently, continue to keep their people safe, and contribute more effectively to our regional economy.” The Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association will be actively engaging with the consultation process and encourages members to participate and share their experiences. As the Minister states, simplifying machine guarding rules and reviewing the Workplace Exposure Standards will make it easier for people to do the right thing, without compromising safety. See: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/regulatory-relief-manufacturing-sector
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