New Zealand: health and safety task force publishes report and recommendations

The Independent Task Force on Workplace Health and Safety published its final report and recommendations today: see here (pdf). The report concludes that the health and safety system is not fit for purpose. Many recommendations are made including the creation of a due diligence obligation for those with governance roles in companies. In this regard, the task force states: "We believe strongly that directors’ duties in relation to workplace health and safety should be as strong as other fiduciary duties" (para. 223). The introduction of a new law on corporate manslaughter law is not proposed; the task force instead proposes that the existing manslaughter offence is extended to companies and the general rules on corporate liability are revised.

For further information see: main report (pdf) | executive report (pdf) | working papers | press release | consultation |.