New Zealand law requires that workers and other people involved in racing are given the highest level of protection from workplace health and safety risks, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes risks to both physical and mental health.

The primary responsibility for providing workplace safety rests with the" Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking” (PCBU) - a definition covering employers, self-employed, principals to contracts, and manufacturers, designers, etc. who have the primary health and safety duties.

Any worker has the right to stop work, or refuse to carry out work, if they believe that doing the work would expose them, or anyone else, to a serious risk to health or safety from an immediate or imminent hazard.

The best first steps are always to discuss the matter with the employer or other parties that may be involved, and to agree a plan to eliminate or mitigate the risks.

An employee can also take a personal grievance against their ‘PCBU’ if they are pressured to either not perform a health and safety duty, or not exercise their rights in relation to health and safety.

If health & safety issues remain unresolved, you can next raise the matter with your relevant racing Code or WorkSafe New Zealand can help.

 

 

Further resources:

Managing Health & Safety - WorkSafe NZ