Athletics New Zealand HEALTH & SAFETY REFORMS HEALTH & SAFETY REFORMS September 2014

HEALTH & SAFETY REFORMS WHAT IS CHANGING AND WHAT DO THE CHANGES MEAN FOR SPORT? OVERVIEW The Government is looking to change New Zealand’s workplace health and safety culture. A new Health and Safety at Work Act will come into force in 2015 (currently scheduled for 1 April). The aim is to substantially reduce work- related harm in New Zealand. 2

In 2008, a 21-year-old English tourist drowned in the Kawarau River. She was riding a body board in the Kawarau rapids with a river boarding company. She was trapped underwater for 20 minutes by a rock until another operator’s boat carrying ropes arrived and freed her body. The Court found that the company failed to take all practicable steps by: not moving to another part of the river when the water level dropped failing to ensure the river guides carried and were trained to industry standards in the use of throw bags, ropes, knives and other safety equipment failing to have available and use a guide or equipment to block the hazard, provide safety cover and assist in the rescue of a trapped person. Issues were also raised about the safety briefing. Initially, the director was charged personally, but the charges were dropped when the company pleaded guilty. The company was fined $66,000 ($33,000 for each charge) and ordered to pay $80,000 in reparation to the family. 3

In 2016, a 14-year-old Athlete contract Hepatitis while competing in an Athletics event She was competing in a Long Jump competition at her regional Secondary School Championship. Upon landing she felt a sharp pain in her calf, as she was standing to leaving the landing area, she found a syringe protruding from her calf. She was assisted by officials to the local hospital where she undertook blood test, which later resulted in her being tested as having contracted hepatitis. The Court found that the association responsible for the Schools competition failed to take all practicable steps by: Not checking for any foreign objects in the landing area failing to ensure the officials were trained to industry standards in the checking for hazards Issues were also raised about the lack of a safety briefing. Initially, the Competition Director and Chief Official were charged personally, but the charges were dropped when the Association pleaded guilty. The Association was fined. 4

Athletics NZ Constitution In addition to the persons described in Rule 38.1c (Transition – Members), every person who participates or has an interest in Athletics in New Zealand (whether as a member of a Member Club, casual participant, official, selector, coach, manager, officer of a Member, parent, or in any other capacity) who, in accordance with the Regulations, completes the Athletics NZ membership requirements and pays any applicable fee(s) shall be an Individual Member of Athletics NZ if their membership is accepted in accordance with this Constitution and the Regulations. 7. Individual Members 5

Athletics NZ Constitution In addition to the persons described in Rule 38.1c (Transition – Members), every person who participates or has an interest in Athletics in New Zealand (whether as a member of a Member Club, casual participant, official, selector, coach, manager, officer of a Member, parent, or in any other capacity) who, in accordance with the Regulations, completes the Athletics NZ membership requirements and pays any applicable fee(s) shall be an Individual Member of Athletics NZ if their membership is accepted in accordance with this Constitution and the Regulations. 7. Individual Members 6

Athletics NZ Insurance Athletics New Zealand’s Public Liability and Statutory Liability insurance cover is for all members, volunteers and officials who are members of Athletics New Zealand whilst competing or participating in Athletics NZ sanctioned events. 7