Safety of staff when travelling overseas comes within new rules

Businesses are being warned of tougher rules covering staff safety when they're travelling on business. The looming changes to workplace rules in the Health and Safety Reform Bill were spurred by the Pike River Mine disaster and Flight Centre says there are key points for businesses:

• Work activities are not limited to the physical workplace and includes travel for work up to the first overseas destination.

• Businesses must develop and maintain a travel policy that includes health, safety and security in travel arrangements.

• They must ensure safety when travel is bought.

Under the proposed changes those individuals recklessly breaking the law could be imprisoned for five years and/or fined $300,000. Companies could be fined up to $3 million.

Andy Jack, Flight Centre's general manager corporate, said the new rules could become law later this year.

"I think there are parts of the business community that are aware of it ... "

Problems arose when staff did their own booking and ended up "off the grid". Firms needed to ensure that accommodation was up to a proper standard.