Committee Minutes - 14 november 2006

Minutes of the Committee Meeting
TuesdaY, 14 november 2006, 9.00 TO 2.30PM
wellesley club, mcginnity street, WELLINGTON

ATTENDEES

Present: Professor Neil Pearce (Chair), , Professor Philippa Gander, Dr Evan Dryson.

In Attendance: Mark Wagstaffe and Stephanie Kerruish (NOHSAC Secretariat)

Alison Dalziel (Group Manager, Work Place Policy, Department of Labour, 10am to 10.30noon)

Apologies: Anne-Marie Feyer, Professor John Langley

Minutes by: Stephanie Kerruish and Mark Wagstaffe

1. Previous Minutes and Action Points

NOHSAC Minutes of 8 August 2006 were reviewed and the Committee agreed that they were a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Proposed: Philippa Gander Seconded: Neil Pearce

All action points were reviewed.

2. Welcome

The Chair advised the Committee that Professor John Langley was the successful appointment for the vacancy on the Committee. Due to other circumstances, Professor Langley was not able to join the meeting. He has commenced a three year term, which ends on the 16 October 2009.

3. Meeting with the Minister of Labour

Hon Ruth Dyson met with Neil Pearce, Mark Wagstaffe and Hazel Armstrong (the Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Work Related Gradual Process Disease or Infection), on 18 October 2006. The Minister supported the suggestion that the Committee and the Advisory Panel work together on projects.

4. NOHSAC Operations

The tentative meeting dates for 2007 were discussed. The Committee’s next meeting will be held on the 21 February 2007.

Action 1: NOHSAC Secretariat to send an email out to the Committee asking for their comments on the proposed dates for the year.
Responsible: NOHSAC Secretariat
Target Date: November 06

5. NOHSAC’s Work Programme

Review of the Surveillance of and Control of Workplace Exposures in New Zealand.

The reports were launched on the 25 October 2006. NOHSAC Secretariat has received a number of requests for the report, particularly from the medical community.

National Profile Report - Report to the Minister of Labour

Mark Wagstaffe will redraft the letter to seek further information from relevant agencies by the end of January 07. Neil Pearce and Mark Wagstaffe will draft the preferred options and circulate it around the Committee for further additions/comments.

Action 2: NOHSAC Secretariat to redraft letter to seek comments from agencies.
Responsible: Mark Wagstaffe
Target Date: January 07

Action 3: Neil and Mark to prepare the ‘preferred options’ and forward to the Committee for additions.
Responsible: Mark Wagstaffe and
Neil Pearce
Target Date: January 07

International Review of National Structures for Occupational Health and Safety

Mark Wagstaffe provided the Committee with a draft outline of Dr Kendall’s report. Dr Kendall advised that the report will be delayed. The final is due on the 20 November 2006.

Action 4: NOHSAC Secretariat to advise Nick Kendall that the Committee would like the opportunity to comment on the report.
Responsible: NOHSAC Secretariat
Target Date: 17 November 06

Action 5: Mark Wagstaffe will review the report and forward both the report and his comments to the Committee for their recommendations.
Responsible: Mark Wagstaffe
Target Date: 20 November 06

Request for Proposal on Musculoskeletal disorders.

The Committee reviewed the outline of the proposed RFP. The Committee felt that this would be a useful technical report that will support other key issues. The suggested deadline for finalising the RFP is prior to Christmas.

Action 6: Mark Wagstaffe will revise the RFP and distribute with a list of possible contractors to the Committee for comment.
Responsible: Mark Wagstaffe
Target Date: 30 November 06

The Evolving Work Environment in New Zealand, Implications for Occupational Health and Safety

Mark Wagstaffe will revise the draft RFP and forward to Philippa for further comment.

Action 7: Mark Wagstaffe will revise the RFP and forward to Philippa Gander for comment. Mark will also provide the Committee with a list of possible contractors to the Committee for comment.
Responsible: Mark Wagstaffe and
the Committee
Target Date: 30 November 06

The Committee decided to publish one of the above reports by the end of 2007.

Future Work Programme

The Committee discussed possible topics for future reporting. They are:
- Occupational Health and Safety in Small Businesses
- Workforce Development for Occupational Health and Safety

6. Other Matters

Invited Guests

Alison Dalziel, Group Manager, Work Place Policy, Department of Labour (DoL). met with the Committee to discuss the relations between the Committee and DoL. Alison and the Committee agreed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) needed to reviewed and a detailed list of ‘operational rules’ be included.

Action 8: Mark Wagstaffe and Alison Dalziel will review the MOU and forward to the Committee for feedback. The final agreed MOU will be completed by Neil Pearce and James Buwalda, the Secretary of DoL.
Responsible: Mark Wagstaffe and
the Committee
Target Date: 30 November 06



Meeting Closed
The meeting was closed at 12.30pm, 14 November 2006.