From May issue, NZ Manufacturer magazine

 The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) says it will be using its presence at EMEX 2024 this month to promote the urgent need for manufacturers to work together to help improve the sector’s health and safety record.

EMA Head of Advanced Manufacturing Jane Finlayson says that the manufacturing sector has one of the country’s highest rates of workplace injury and there has not been the improvement in workplace harm that has been seen in other sectors such as construction and primary industries.

“Simply put, too many manufacturing workers are being harmed at work. In fact, you are twice as likely to be injured working in a manufacturing environment in New Zealand than you are in Australia, and the economic and social cost is too high,” says Jane.

“Every year there are about 30,000 injuries in the manufacturing sector and ACC pays out $50 million for acute injuries resulting in more than 240,000 lost workdays. But it’s not just about the economic costs. Each injury can have an impact on an individual, a family, and a community,

“It also has a huge business impact, affecting productivity and morale. No one wants to see an employee, or a colleague, injured or seriously hurt at work.

“That is why we’ve launched Project Whakahaumaru with support from ACC. This project aims to bring the sector together to develop a five-year action plan to reduce harm and improve the health, safety, and wellness of everyone working in manufacturing.

Jane says the team are looking forward to engaging with manufacturers at EMEX to hear their ideas and encourage them to get involved in the project and share their experiences.

“We don’t pretend to have the answers. The reasons for the high rates of harm in manufacturing are complex and, to achieve meaningful change, we need all parts of the sector working together to help understand the problems and find solutions.

“The first phase of the project is focussed on research and looking at what works, as well as listing and understanding the experience of all those in the sector.

“EMEX is a fantastic opportunity to start this conversation with manufacturers from across the country. We will also be launching a major survey shortly, targeting leaders and workers in the sector to better understand the experience on the ground as well as the challenges they face.

“This will help inform the development of an evidence-based action plan for the sector, built on practical interventions that manufacturers can implement to reduce risk and prevent harm in their workplace.

“If you’re attending EMEX, we would really encourage you to come and talk to the team at the EMA stand to learn more about the project and how you can become involved,” says Jane.

EMA Chief Executive Brett O’Riley will also be delivering the opening presentation as part of the EMEX speaker series, where he will talk about the current challenges and opportunities facing the manufacturing sector.

“Manufacturing is incredibly important to the New Zealand economy, contributing over $23 billion and employing 12% of our workforce,” says Brett.

“But the sector has been struggling since the pandemic with supply disruptions, cost pressures and a global economic slowdown. And when manufacturing is struggling, so does the economy.

“While things are a bit downbeat at present, I am incredibly optimistic about the future manufacturing. Industry 4.0 technology has the potential to transform the sector and New Zealand is full of innovative manufacturers who are leading the world in what they are doing. We just need to back them to succeed.

“That means getting the policy settings right, creating the right investment settings and supporting them to access to new markets. How we do this will be the focus of my presentation. If we get this right, there is no reason manufacturing can’t be the driver of our economic future.”