Rise in workplace deaths unacceptable - minister

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson. Photo / Martin Sykes

Thirty-one families will be without a husband, father, brother or son this Christmas because of workplace deaths.

Twice as many men died at work between July and November when compared to the same period in 2007.

The Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson has ordered a report into the 31 fatal workplace accidents. Fifteen people died in the same months during 2007 and and 18 died in 2008.

The death-toll rose to 31 this year when a 38 year-old pulp mill worker died in Kawerau last Wednesday.

Ms Wilkinson said she has asked the Department of Labour to look into the deaths to find out if there is an underlying cause and what can be done about it.

"It's not acceptable that 31 families are now without husbands, fathers and brothers.

"I want to know why and how these men died. It may be that there were factors outside anyone's control, but if employers have failed in their obligations to keep their staff safe then they must accept the consequences," Ms Wilkinson said.

She said the deaths were a wake-up call for employers and workers and a reminder that workplace health and safety is important.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) is the largest union in the country. Union secretary Andrew Little said the Minister is doing the right thing by ordering the report.

He said with the amount of redundancies this year, a lot of people are doing casual contracts and may not have the training to carry out certain roles.

"Some employers may have exploited the recessionary environment and cut back on health and safety," Mr Little said.

He said workers facing redundancy may also be scared of speaking up about health and safety concerns.

Mr Little said it will be tough for the families without a husband, father, brother or son this Christmas.

"They've got to know that the workmates of the man killed will feel it too. They'll be thinking of the family.

"I imagine you'll find workmates will rally around this Christmas. It's a hell of a thing to go through a Christmas without a parent that was there last Christmas," Mr Little said.

Ms Wilkinson said most of the 31 workplace deaths are still being investigated by the Labour Department She said the Department will report back with preliminary findings before Christmas.

- NZHERALD STAFF