In November 2022, the PSA and the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) signed a worker participation agreement. The result of several years’ work, this was a big step forward for health and safety at NZDF. We talked with PSA Organiser Mark James about what a worker participation agreement is, and how it’s helping NZDF keep our members safe.
What is a worker participation agreement?
A worker participation agreement requires an organisation to engage with its workers and enable them to
participate in improving health and safety. Organisations must ask for and account for workers’ views on
health and safety. Workers must have clear and effective ways to suggest improvements or raise concerns.
Organisations and workers should work out solutions together.
PSA reps had been advocating for NZDF to improve its health and safety for several years. A memorandum
of understanding was not meeting workers’ needs, the NZDF was failing health and safety audits, specifically
on reporting and worker participation. This came to a head when we refused to sign off on NZDF’s accreditation.
To move forward, PSA reps worked with NZDF to develop a worker participation agreement. Under the agreement, both parties have committed to improving the health and safety of all civilian employees at NZDF. So, what does that look like in the workplace?
More strategic thinking
Before the participation agreement, NZDF was getting bogged down in long ‘to do’ lists. Now NZDF can take
a more high-level view and apply the three core strategies for a safe environment: culture, capability and
compliance.
Improved culture and capability
NZDF’s leadership is committed to leading a strong safety culture. This will help create an environment
where everyone feels responsible for their safety and the safety of others. It enables everyone to talk openly
about the safety challenges on the job.
Under the worker participation agreement, workers will be able to build their capabilities beyond basic training. They can gain the ability, skills, and aptitude to respond changing risks and hazards.
Better compliance
It’s a priority for every organisation to identify and control their top critical risks. The best way to achieve
this is through engaging the workers who are involved in the activities associated with these risks.
The NZDF Worker Participation Agreement helps make all its employees safer at work. This agreement enables health and safety matters, and hazard identification to not only be raised but to be addressed
and reported on up to the conclusion of the action that addresses the hazard in the workplace.
