Podcasts about Worksafe

The war on road cones has ratcheted up, with the coalition government setting up a hotline for people to report the overzealous use of road cones and no, it's not an April Fool's joke. The hotline is part of a first tranche of measures introduced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden, designed to reform the country's health and safety laws so businesses can focus on the necessary and the essential - not on the “senseless and superfluous” as Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking this morning. “One of the things I heard from travelling from Whangarei to Bluff, talking to small business and workers, was that most of them don't know what to do to comply. We're going to make it a lot clearer, so you only need to focus on your critical risks. Things that will actually cause people harm, rather than posters saying warning hot water or warning here is a staircase. We've got to bring some common sense back to New Zealand and to business. “A lot of it is companies finding they're spending a lot of money on over compliance because they are fearful of prosecution. You know, and we've heard it even in the case of traffic management that sometimes some companies are spending nearly half of their project cost on temporary traffic management. So, we're bringing some common sense back and saying look, in some cases you're doing too much and in some cases, we need to focus less on the paperwork and making sure that WorkSafe has a paper trail and more on how you actually reduce harm in your workplace. Let's go back to what you can recognise as things that could cause death or serious illness and injury and not sweat the small stuff.” So businesses will now only notify WorkSafe when significant events occur, such as death, serious injury, and illness, which is a good thing. I remember coming out of the studio door a couple of years ago and a bit of loose metal cut the top of my foot. Not seriously, I required a Band-Aid, not stitches, but I had to fill out a workplace health and safety form. It was an incident. However, the Opposition spokesperson Jan Tinetti says the Government is weakening workplace health and safety reforms and is being reckless. She says health and safety is not a political game, and everyone must get home safely. And whenever I think of the words “getting home safely”, I think of Jahden Nelson. The 28-year-old scaffolder had to have both of his arms amputated after a metal pole he was carrying touched a live overhead power line. The workplace he'd been working on had been given a Close Approach Consent – that's required when work is being done near overhead power lines. The consent required the crew that put up the scaffolding to be the same crew that took it down for safety reasons, so they knew where the power lines were, they knew they were live – it makes sense. However, WorkSafe found none of the four man dismantling crew, including Jahden, had been involved at the outset. The initial crew received a safety briefing – not the dismantling crew. So the company was sentenced, and the fine was reduced to nothing because they couldn't pay it. And you know, ultimately it doesn't really matter what sort of fine they got or what sort of punishment they got because Jahden's the one who is living without his arms. A 28-year-old man, fit, strong, healthy, goes to work, spends six months in hospital, his life has changed forever because some numpty didn't bother to assess the critical risk and tell the dismantling crew ‘make sure the overhead power lines are switched off'. Or you don't go near them, or they're insulated. And that, I guess, is what Brooke van Velden is talking about, that if firms are focused on the critical risk factors involved in the business it makes much more sense than saying be careful of the Zip, the water's hot. We have an absolutely shocking record of work-related deaths. An estimated 10,000 people, men, women, and, in some cases, children have died from occupational ill health or workplace fatalities since 2010 – in 15 years, 10,000 people have died. And then you've got people like Jahden: didn't die. Has his life changed? You betcha. 420,000 people were injured at work. So I think some of these dumb rules came as a result of people just desperate to ensure that workers went to work and came home safely. I think they were trying everything, throwing everything at it. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has data from 2022, and it allows comparison between countries that use a risk management framework, which we've done since Pike River since 2010. According to this, almost three times as many people die at work in New Zealand than in the UK. So more rules, the word soup, hasn't made us safer. What will? What is it going to take to prevent the deaths of 10,000 more people over the next 15 years and having 420,000 people's lives changed - some irrevocably? Fewer rules and thinking for yourself? Well, that was a very laissez-faire attitude – that was the she'll be right attitude that some of the old timers still have. Surely there's got to be a balance between the she'll be right and the word soup. There's got to be a happy medium that sees workers go to work and come home safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's asking people to dob in too many road cones at work sites. A telephone hotline is planned - for people to report excesses. It'll be manned and funded by WorkSafe. It's been announced at the same time as Health and Safety at Work Act changes, with a focus on reducing the load on smaller businesses. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper has voiced support with this idea. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our second episode of Season 2, Dr Caroline Howe (founder of My Social Support Network) takes us through the very real changes we see in our bodies after an injury. This is very common, especially due to the added effects of damage to the Vagus nerve and the increase of cortisol in the systems of injured workers. This is also available through the new My Social Support Network programme "Regain Control", an 8-week reset for your mind and body. Register at www.mssn.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THIS IS A REPLAY OF EPISODE #207 The Psych Health and Safety Podcast will be returning 14th January 2025! In this episode Australian hosts Jason and Joelle chat with Dr John Fitzgerald, Mentally Healthy Work Lead at WorkSafe New Zealand. We explore a research report recently published by WorkSafe examining the role of work factors in suicide. John details the research purpose, methodology, and findings, and shares his key takeaway messages arising from the research. https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/research/work-related-suicide-examining-the-role-of-work-factors-in-suicide/

When strippers arrive at work and don't know how much money they're taking home at the end of the shift. Their employer might decide to take a higher percentage of their wages that week, or they could've been fined for something inconsequential – with no way of rebutting. They can't unionise, negotiate better contract terms, or complain to the likes of WorkSafe or the Commerce Commission. Fired Up Stilettos is an organisation and social movement working to improve the lives of strippers and sex workers in Aotearoa. Today on The Front Page, one of the group's organisers Margot Embargot joins us to discuss the deception, discrimination, and stigma these workers face daily. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsSound Engineer/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of the Bend Don't Break podcast features Katie West, a civilian transcriptionist for the RCMP, who opens up about her journey through chronic stress and PTSD. Often overlooked, civilian staff like transcriptionists and 911 operators are regularly exposed to traumatic content, yet lack the same mental health support systems available to front-line officers. Katie shares her deeply personal experiences with PTSD, detailing the toll of listening to traumatic cases for hours on end and the difficulties she faced when seeking help. She discusses the systemic gaps in mental health support for civilian roles, her challenges with WorkSafe, and the need for greater understanding and resources for "trauma-exposed professionals." Through her story, Katie advocates for change and sheds light on the unseen struggles of those working behind the scenes in law enforcement, urging for a more inclusive approach to mental health care for all first responder staff.

Mark Beyer and Mark Pownall discuss Chris Ellison and Mineral Resources; tender reforms; a report on Perth's future; Perron Group results; Angela Bennett; WorkSafe; and a preview of the next magazine.

Burnout is the modern curse of the workplace. Most often seen in the most diligent of workers, burnout is a major impediment to a happy and balanced work life. Even more so, burnout is a huge concern for people returning to work after a workplace injury who are now facing the prospect of reinjury. In this episode, Dr Caroline Howe is in conversation with Alicia Gibbs, who takes us through the effects burnout can have on your ability to return to work, plus how to avoid burnout in the first place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minister for Small Business, Michael Ferguson, talks Kaz & Tubes through the government support available for struggling small Tassie businesses. Lloyd Hudson, Principal Piccolo and Tutti Flute player with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, previews their upcoming concerts with The Cat Empire. Robin Pearce, Executive Director of WorkSafe Tasmania, details the free events happening throughout October for WorkSafe month. And, Tubes catches up with Zoe Booth as she completes the final run of her 450km fundraiser for the Leukaemia Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, hosts Gordon and Jose welcome seasoned restaurateur Peter De Bruyn, who shares his 30 years of experience in the industry. Peter, the executive chef at the Strathcona Hotel and board chair at the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, dives into hot topics like tipping culture, California's minimum wage hike, and how restaurants are navigating increased costs. He also discusses the challenges related to labor shortages, food supply issues, and the impact of recent CRA and WorkSafe regulations on tipping practices. Tune in for valuable insights and strategies for restaurant owners and operators. 01:22 Peter De Bruyn's Background and Career 03:24 Changes in the Restaurant Industry 05:09 Impact of Minimum Wage Increases 14:20 Tipping Culture and Challenges 18:18 No Tipping Policy: Pros and Cons 27:34 Managing Tips and CRA Regulations ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬  Audio Podcast Links Spotify | Apple | Google | Amazon | RSS | Download Leave your suggestions for new topics in the comments! We read every single one.

As the summer continues to heat up, legislators in Sacramento are finally moving forward with protections for workers who work in overheated indoor conditions across the state. The rules have been caught up in limbo following the state prison system's concern that it would simply be too expensive to renovate their facilities to make it cool enough for safe working conditions. The rules have now moved forward through the State's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for all hot indoor workplaces in the state except for in California prisons.  Joining us to discuss are Rachel van Geenhoven and Brian Kaneda. Rachel is communications director with WorkSafe, a California organization that uses policy advocacy, legal services, and movement building, to promote and protect the basic right of all people to a safe and healthy workplace. Brian is deputy director of Californians United for a Responsible Budget, or CURB, which is an organization dedicated to reducing imprisonment in our state by developing economic analyses about how it's actually financially better for all of us, to reduce prisons. Check out WorkSafe's website: https://worksafe.org/ Check out CURB's website: https://www.curbprisonspending.org/ —- Subscribe to this podcast: https://plinkhq.com/i/1637968343?to=page Get in touch: lawanddisorder@kpfa.org Follow us on socials @LawAndDis: https://twitter.com/LawAndDis; https://www.instagram.com/lawanddis/ The post New Heat Protection for CA Workers Excludes Prisons w/ Rachel van Geenhoven & Brian Kaneda appeared first on KPFA.

Energy Minister Simeon Brown wants appropriate accountability over a fallen electricity tower.   Thousands of Northland residents experienced outages yesterday after a transmission tower toppled northwest of Auckland.  The Electricity Authority says it's investigating and Simeon Brown's asked WorkSafe to do the same.  Electricity Authority Chief Executive, Sarah Gillies, told Heather du Plessis-Allan “Consumers have a right to have confidence in their electricity supply.”  Gillies said “We're the regulator – and we're independent.”   LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Official papers show a long-awaited scheme to boost work safety programmes will be axed. WorkSafe was meant to show a return of $1.10 on each dollar it got from ACC for the programmes - it managed just 20 cents. Phil Pennington spoke to Corin Dann.

WorkSafe has found shortcomings at Fire and Emergency - or FENZ - over how two volunteer firefighters died in a landslide in Cyclone Gabrielle. Phil Pennington spoke to Corin Dann.

WorkSafe's calling for businesses to boost safety standards as more workers lose fingers on unsafe machinery. The courts have issued more than half a million dollars worth of fines to three manufacturing businesses, since mid-March. They involve three people who lost multiple fingers in 2022. WorkSafe Principal Inspector Mark Donaghue says these companies should have had more safety precautions in place. "What we do find is that some safety systems can be bypassed - or may not be in place at all - for various reasons." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Elliott has weighed in on the news WorkSafe Victoria will not reopen their investigation into the bungled hotel quarantine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WorkSafe is investigating the death of a teenager at a farm in the Wheatbelt over the weekend. 

The proceeds of crime laws have traditionally been used to target gangs and drug dealers. Now police have their eyes on a new target, and that's left businesses feeling vulnerable.

The lawyer for the Whakaari White Island owners is calling for an independent public inquiry into the deadly eruption saying government agencies including WorkSafe should be held accountable. Five companies, including that of the island's owners, have been fined and ordered to pay millions of dollars in compensation for failings leading up to the disaster and a coronial inquiry is still to come. But lawyer James Cairney wants a Royal Commission to investigate the role of multiple government officials. Amy Williams has the story.

An aunt's five-year fight for her nephew's death to be fully investigated has ended with a firm no from WorkSafe. A coroner told WorkSafe to reconsider what it did after two young casual workers, Jake Ginders and Floyd Harris, both on learner licences, crashed near Woodville in 2019. WorkSafe has now told the men's families it has done enough and will not investigate further. It made a visit to the labour hire firm AWF months after the crash. Jake Ginders' aunt Diane Chandler of Levin says society is the loser.

WorkSafe is pulling out of funding safety programmes to the tune of up to $15 million a year, skittling one in the high-risk forestry industry. But ACC, which gives WorkSafe the money, says putting a stop to that will make no difference to how much is spent on safety programmes overall. Phil Pennington spoke to Corin Dann.

A bullying investigation into one of the country's most senior prosecutors has found her behaviour towards staff was challenging, critical, and unpredictable but did not meet the WorkSafe definition of a bully. Crown Law has released the results of an inquiry into claims about Crown Solicitor Jacinda Hamilton. The staff who believe they were bullied have told RNZ they are shocked and dismayed at the findings. Investigative reporter Guyon Espiner spoke to Corin Dann.

We relive some truly horrific Victorian ads and vote on TMOTW. #chooselove Link to the compilation we watched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuF9Wkgn0jwSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Zaunmayr and Jack McGinn discuss the current performance and big future plans at Fremantle Port. Plus: Coca-Cola's Perth buy; Fortescue's $1.4 million WorkSafe instruction, and public sector wage policy shift.

Kelly talks to Kathryn about some of the court cases she's been covering recently, and also the WorkSafe charge the Rotorua Lakes Council is facing. Plus Makuini Warbrick's inspirational story about how she lost 50 kg - naturally.

WorkSafe is seeking independent advice about a leaking oil and gas well in the Kupe Field off the coast of Taranaki. The KS-2 well has been leaking a small amount of gas since at least 2018 - a fact that the Environmental Protection Authority only revealed when forced to by the Ombudsman. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

A new app being trailed with a handful of New Zealand trucking companies could be a game changer for the industry, according to one operator. Three firms across the country are trailing the alternative fatigue management system with support from New Zealand Land Transport, Transporting NZ, the police and WorkSafe. One of those is Stephenson Transport from the Hawkes Bay and the chief executive Todd Stephenson joins us.

A WorkSafe investigation has found an accident, which left an Auckland scaffolder with no arms, was preventable. Jahden Nelson was working in the West Auckland suburb of Massey last year dismantling scaffolding when a steel pole he was holding touched an overhead powerline giving him a severe electric shock. Both his arms had to be amputated and Nelson now needs daily assistance for the rest of his life. Paul West from WorkSafe oversaw the investigation. West spoke to Corin Dann.

Health workers say engineered stone workshops need to do better to prevent a deadly disease, that can cause lung scarring.  A Ministry of Health check recommends more be done to prevent silicosis, which can happen when engineered stone dust is inhaled.  The ministry supports more ventilation systems, and masks, to stop this.  College of Physicians silicosis expert Alexandra Muthu told Mike Hosking there should be a better occupational health service.  She says at the moment, everything falls between Worksafe, ACC, Te Whatu Ora, and industry.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A law expert says the Whakaari White Island trial was a messy process.   The island's owner, Whakaari Management Limited, has been found guilty on one health and safety charge brought by WorkSafe.   WorkSafe charged 13 parties in 2020; six pleaded guilty ahead of the trial and another six had charges dismissed.  Law expert Chris Gallavin told Mike Hosking that not having corporate manslaughter in our legislation, is a glaring hole.   He says it would cover a lot of people dying at work, and the members of the public who died in this kind of situation.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some questions around yesterday's White Island verdict:  Was justice done? Was justice seen to be done?  Did a lot of people needlessly get dragged before the court for no good reason?  Did those who had their charges dismissed get any compensation for lost time and energy on a case for them that went nowhere?  Is it fair that the law allows a Government agency to simply machine-gun a series of charges about the place, in the hope a few will stick? Do you machine-gun charge, hoping some will take the path of least resistance and simply plead guilty?  Did some of those that pled guilty do so for essentially the wrong reasons and, if so, do they now regret that?  Does the landing of a single guilty verdict from all those charges justify the approach from WorkSafe?  Given what the judge said about WorkSafe and their reportage of operations on the island, are they potentially as culpable as anyone else? And if they are, where are the charges against them?  Where is any accountability from them at all?  Why do we have a system whereby you get charged and then have those charges dismissed and you can essentially do nothing about it?  Where is WorkSafe and why don't they front to defend their actions? Given that, is there a gross unfairness in the balance of power in matters such as this?  How many of the WorkSafe charges, or indeed the WorkSafe approach to all of this, was a butt covering exercise designed to make them look better than they clearly are?    Accepting this was a tragedy and lives were changed forever, how much of their approach was about looking like they cared and were out to get some people, even if those people were not in any way culpable?  As tragic as the circumstances turned out to be, does some level of responsibility lie with individuals who took part in a tourist exercise involving a live volcano and there fore a level of risk was entered into?  Is the reality not that if you are dealing with nature and you can't control, or tame nature, it is at all times beyond your control and therefore risk is involved and people buy into that risk?  The fact one charge, one contested charge of all the charges, actually stuck - what does that change?  Was justice done?  Was justice seen to be done?  Or are the questions just asked an indication of a sloppy Government department who are as guilty, if not more so, than anyone else who appeared in that court? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, Anthony welcomes John Meier, the CEO of ERNwest, our partner in WorkSafe. The two discuss the Stay at Work program, the most common injuries in hospitality, and how to change the culture of your business to include safety. We mentioned the following websites in this podcast: My Hospitality Insurance Going Green toolkit Wildfire & Excessive Heat toolkit Regional meetings Please email us with any questions at podcast@wahospitality.org. Thank you to our sponsors, Hospitality Health Insurance and ERNwest. Subscribe to Washington Hospitality Industry Podcast on Soundwise

WorkSafe, which is already under fire already for not doing enough to keep workers safe, is cutting back on what it does to save money. Its chief executive met with senior staff last week to discuss ways to manage its costs with the regulator facing a multi-million-dollar deficit. His pledge is no inspectors and investigators would be cut - but the sinking lid has already put three top investigative jobs, unfilled ones, on pause. Reporter Phil Pennington spoke to Corin Dann.

The families of two labour hire workers killed in a road crash on their commute have spoken up about four years of hitting, not so much a brick wall as blank stares, in their quest for answers and accountability. Phil Pennington reports. RNZ has requested Worksafe's call logs around the notification, but it has so far refused them Worksafe declined to be interviewed. RNZ has approached the police for comment.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has been convicted but not fined following the death of an 11 year old girl in a chaotic bus crash five years ago. 11 year old Hannah Francis was killed and several others injured when the brakes on the bus they were travelling on over-heated and failed, crashing down Ohakune Mountain Road in July 2018. A Worksafe investigation found the company had not maintained its fleet or adequately trained its drivers. At the Waitakere District Court this afternoon, RAL which owned and operated the bus was convicted but avoided a fine because the company is now in liquidation. Our reporter Finn Blackwell is at the court and spoke to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6335395276112

Frustrations are building over slow progress to reassess manufacturers deemed to be putting tradies at high risk of silica dust exposure. Fatal lung disease silicosis can develop after breathing in silica dust when dry-cutting artificial stone - the type used for kitchen benchtops. In February this year, WorkSafe identified 78 businesses who were not compliant with protective measures to keep workers safe from silica dust inhalation. But as of July 31st, only 17 reassessment visits had been completed, and of those, some were still not effectively managing risks. In 2020, ACC developed a tool to identify people at risk of accelerated silicosis. As of August 1st, it had 190 claims lodged for assessment. The Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) has written to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety pushing for more urgency on the issue, saying the current arrangements fail to keep workers safe. In a response the Minister says it's increasingly clear it's an issue, but WorkSafe is taking a stricter approach to enforcement. Professor Lin Fritschi was active in the campaign to ban silica products in Australia - a move it is now fast-tracking, becoming the first country in the world to do so. Professor Fritschi and NZCTU president Richard Wagstaff speak with Kathryn Ryan.

A Northland dive company has avoided a prosecution over a kayaking accident after agreeing to fund community safety measures - at a cost of a quarter of a million dollars. A WorkSafe investigation found Dive Tutukaka and Tauraroa School were liable after the children, on a kayaking trip, fell out of the kayak, with one getting a foot stuck in a crevice in a sea cave while waves swept over her head. Both children were left traumatised while Tauraroa Area School's Board of Trustees was convicted of safety breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act. While avoiding a conviction, WorkSafe says Dive Tutukaka's safety training will cost more than any fine they might have had to pay. Dive Tutukaka owner and manager Kate Malcolm spoke to Corin Dann.

WorkSafe says it doesn't normally end up investigating pranks, after revealing it was a joke that caused a gas explosion and left five workers in hospital last year. It says a barbecue gas bottle was mistakenly left running overnight in a shipping container at a Wynyard quarter construction site last August. When the five workers opened the container they could smell gas. One of the workers joked about igniting his lighter and, when he did, the gas exploded. WorkSafe's Paul Budd says it is unusual for a workplace prank to go so terribly wrong. Budd spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Safety in the workplace is critical for all businesses, regardless of the organization's size. Depending on your industry, hiring safety professionals, investing in equipment, or providing safety training may be part of a comprehensive safety plan. Learn how to find a solution that fits your business with Gavin Coyle, consultant and author of Workplace Safety on a Budget.

Profits ahead of employee and tourist safety. Lawyers have opened Worksafe's case against the owners of Whakaari White Island today, saying the Buttle brothers had not done enough to inform visitors of the risks. It's three and a half years since the eruption, which killed 22 people and injured 25 others. Lawyers say inadequate infrastructure on the island made survival and recovery of some more difficult. A warning, some parts of this story may be distressing. Emma Stanford has been at the Auckland District Court.

Harrowing stories of Whakaari White Island victims trying to flee to safety have been heard in the Auckland District Court. WorkSafe has opened its case against the volcano's owners and two tourism operators three and half years after the eruption that killed 22 people and injured 25 others. A warning some parts of this story may be distressing. RNZ reporter Lucy Xia has more.

Families of those who lost their lives in the deadly Whakaari eruption were among those acknowledged a mihi whakatau today, to herald the start of a trial over health and safety failings leading up to the disaster. The legal proceedings are the result of WorkSafe's most extensive and complex investigation. It's been 3 and a half years since the disaster, which claimed 22 lives and left 25 seriously injured. The judge alone trial is due to start tomorrow. Amy Williams has been at court.

The WorkSafe prosecution over the Whakaari eruption begins today – and some of the heroes of that dreadful day are in the spotlight.

Three commercial helicopter tour operators have pleaded guilty and will no longer face trial over health and safety failings in the lead-up to the deadly Whakaari eruption in 2019. A judge alone trial is due to start next week, at Auckland District Court. Today's guilty pleas takes the number of defendants down to six, including the island's owners and three members of the Buttle family. The last minute guilty plea means the start of the trial will be delayed by one day. Judge Evangelos Thomas told the court WorkSafe will need time to adjust its case. Amy Williams has been at the court hearing and joined Lisa Owen in studio. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6330721572112

New Zealand's first-ever Carcinogen Survey has found alarming numbers of people are exposed to cancer-causing agents in their work. What can we do about it?

The brother of a man who died after the tragic Whakaari/White Island eruption says a guilty plea by GNS Science means it's taking the rap for the failings of others. The Crown Research Institute this week pled guilty to charges related to multiple field trips its staff took to the island before the eruption, and the institute's failure in its duty to the helicopter pilots who were contractors. Mark Inman, brother of tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman, says GNS Science is a scapegoat for Worksafe who failed to protect his brother. He spoke to Tim Watkin this morning.

New Zealand's cavalier attitude towards workplace safety is taking a grim toll - largely on young men involved in dangerous trades. 

The issue of karakia at public gatherings has come to a head at a recent Otago Regional Council meeting. Also the Gore District Council has been sentenced on a WorkSafe charge of failing to perform a duty in relation to the death of 3-year-old Lachlan Jones in one of the council's sewage oxidation ponds. And Tim discusses Queenstown's rental woes and power outages in Otago following strong winds and heavy rain. Tim Brown is an RNZ reporter in Dunedin covering Otago and Southland

Jeff Kennett is the outgoing president of the Hawthorn Footy Club, who have found themselves in hot water after allegations of racism towards First Nations players and staff. Today, WorkSafe launched their investigation into the club and we caught up with Jeff Kennett exclusively.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Kennett is the outgoing president of the Hawthorn Footy Club, who have found themselves in hot water after allegations of racism towards First Nations players and staff. Today, WorkSafe launched their investigation into the club and we caught up with Jeff Kennett exclusively.