NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH &

SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NOHSAC)

Minutes of the Meeting

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, 21ST & 22ND SEPTEMBER 2005, 9.30 TO 4.30PM,

LEVEL 4, PARKIN ROOM, MUSEUM HOTEL

90 CABLE STREET, WELLINGTON.

ATTENDEES

 

Present:

 

Neil Pearce (Chair), Evan Dryson, Philippa Gander, and Selwyn McCracken. Anne-Marie Feyer (via teleconference from 1.30pm to 2.40pm)

In Attendance:

 

Apologies:

Mark Wagstaffe and Stephanie Kerruish (NOHSAC Secretariat – Department of Labour), Hon Ruth Dyson, Associate Minister of Labour (3.15pm to 4.15pm)

Anne-Marie Feyer

 

Minutes by:

Stephanie Kerruish and Mark Wagstaffe

Next Meeting:

30 November 2005

DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE

TARGET DATE

1. Previous Minutes and Action Points

NOHSAC Minutes of 18 May 2005

Proposed: Selwyn McCracken; Seconded: Philippa Gander

 

All action points were reviewed. Action points have been completed and no points were carried forward.

2. NOHSAC’s Operation

Work Programme

Mark Wagstaffe discussed the current work programme with the Committee.

The Committee has decided to publish the following technical reports:

• Surveillance of Occupational Disease and Injury in New Zealand: NOHSAC Technical Report 2
• International Review of Methods – Systems Used to Measure and Monitor Occupational Disease and Injury: NOHSAC Technical Report 3

Prior to these reports being published, they will be peer reviewed.

The suggested timeline for the release of these reports is by the end of December 2005.

Action 1

The Committee are to forward their feedback to Mark Wagstaffe.

NOHSAC Committee

30 Sept 05

Action 2

Mark Wagstaffe to organise the peer review of the Technical reports and give feedback to the Committee.

M Wagstaffe

10 Oct 05

Action 3

Mark Wagstaffe to obtain some prices for publishing the two technical reports.

M Wagstaffe

Sept 2005

The draft Report to the Associate Minister of Labour, which will be based on the two-abovementioned technical reports, , was presented to the Committee to review. The revised draft will be circulated to the committee for further feedback and changes.

Action 4

Mark Wagstaffe will circulate the revised draft to the Committee.

M Wagstaffe

Sept 2005

Action 5

The Committee are to provide feedback to Mark Wagstaffe on any suggested changes to the report.

Mark Wagstaffe advised the Committee of the two companies contracted to carry out the following reviews:

• National Profile of Occupational Health and Safety in New Zealand – Allen & Clark
• Social and Economic Costs of Occupational Disease & Injury in New Zealand – Access Economics

NOHSAC Committee

1 Oct 2005

Action 6

Mark Wagstaffe will find out what research Carol Slappendel has completed on governance for health and safety and bring this information to the next meeting.

M Wagstaffe

Nov 05

Review of Schedule 2 of the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001

At a previous meeting, Hon Ruth Dyson approached the Committee to review the Schedule 2 of the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001.

NOHSAC contracted Dr Tim Driscoll to complete this review. The Committee was presented with Dr Driscoll’s first draft. The question was raised as to the ability of the Schedule to be changed. Mark Wagstaffe confirmed that the Schedule could be adjusted rather than a requirement of changing the Act.

 

Action 7

Mark Wagstaffe will send through a copy of Dr Driscoll’s draft report and the Committee’ suggestions through to Anne-Marie Feyer for comment.

M Wagstaffe

A-M Feyer

Sept 05

Sept 05

Action 8

Mark Wagstaffe is to locate the information on a recent court case regarding environmental tobacco smoke and forward it to the committee.

M Wagstaffe

Sept 05

Action 9

Mark will provide feedback to Dr Driscoll on the recommended changes to the draft report.

 

M Wagstaffe

23 Sept 05

NOHSAC International Review of Workplace Exposures

 

The Committee was provided with a copy of the VIOSH report. It was agreed by the Committee that research be completed specifically for New Zealand and a draft report produced by June 2006. The Committee agreed that Mark Wagstaffe would complete this research.

 

Action 10

Mark Wagstaffe will provide a ‘Table of Contents’ for the proposed research project at the next Committee meeting.

 

M Wagstaffe

Nov 05

3. Meeting with the Associate Minister of Labour

The Committee welcomed Hon Ruth Dyson, Associate Minister of Labour to the meeting.

 

Neil Pearce updated Hon Ruth Dyson on current NOHSAC projects. Hon Ruth Dyson welcomes the opportunity of holding a launch for the Surveillance reports inviting key Government departments, key stakeholder groups and the Injury Prevention team.

 

Discussions were also held on the progress of the review of Schedule 2 of the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001. Hon Ruth Dyson recommended that discussions be held with Business New Zealand and Council of Trade Unions.

 

Evan Dryson suggested consultation with other occupational physicians. Hon Ruth Dyson approved this.

Action 11

Evan Dryson will consult with occupational physicians to gain feedback on Dr Driscoll’s review/lists and report back to Mark Wagstaffe.

E Dryson

Oct 05

4. Other Matters

Meeting Dates

The next meeting date was confirmed as:

30 November 2005

 

Meeting Closed

Meeting was closed at 2pm, 22 September 2005