EMPLOYERS – FROM THE ACC!!! - HERE IT COMES AGAIN (IN SPADES)
Our guess is they will pass this bill and
hand employers the bill!
Parliament has a Bill before it extending ACC terms & conditions that will have
a serious effect on Employers when passed (and we think it will be.) Please be aware
this is not law – yet. The bill is the Injury Prevention
Rehabilitation & Compensation Amendment Bill (No 2).
Basically the three main points in the Bill that will affect employers are:
- Mental Injury may be covered by the scheme (workplace claim)
for the first time.
- A range of Gradual Process Injuries and illness claims may
become part of the 'workplace accident' by default. Conditions such as asthma,
dermatitis and hearing loss (going to be a three step test) are already part of
the scheme and may be classified as workplace accidents. The main point here
is that Employers will have to be able to prove the condition did not occur in their workplace. It appears
that if there is a 'causal link' between an
injury & 'the workplace' the default position will be that it is work related.
- If a business (say a farm) has poisons stored and if an
employee suffers symptoms (say dermatitis) that can be caused by the materials stored,
the presumption might be the condition has been picked up in that workplace.
Stress systems will need to be updated and implemented by every
business in NZ. Any new staff needs to be trained and existing staff will require
training confirmation. The repercussions on a business failing to successfully defend
themselves will be very significant. Those with limited capital will be under
threat of insolvency.
It is mandatory for every business to have a 'Stress Management System' in place.
The system includes a written process to detect stress or fatigue in the place of
work before it becomes 'mental harm'. Please ensure your business is protected.
ESP subsbscribers get this free - see the library section
in the online Toolbox
Otherwise click here to buy online for $88 +gst >>
or
Sign up for the Employer Support Package and get this
FREE >>
To manage your way through the new threat
Please Update Immediately
The systems and procedures businesses now need to update and ensure they have implemented
(in detail) are:
- Stress Management
- OSH systems including the storage of hazardous substances, Material Safety Data
Sheets and owners must be able to prove the business has trained its staff in safe
procedures.
The law requires businesses to monitor health of an employee who is exposed to a minimised hazard. The
new exposure to any business without an effective system in place is alarming.
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