Call for submissions for a special edition of the Journal

In July 1974 the UK Health and Safety at Work Act came into force. Often referred to as 'Robens-style' legislation, what were its origins and how has it affected the New Zealand Health and Safety at Work Act? 

The UK Act was a response to too much workplace health and safety legislation. The New Zealand Act followed the Pike River mine disaster and was based on the Australian Model Bill. The New Zealand Act came into force in April 2016 and, since then, New Zealand has experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, greater emphasis on psychosocial health, the Whakaari disaster and many individual deaths and thousands of serious harm events to workers and others. 

How well does Robens-style legislation work in the 21st century? What is missing from it generally and in New Zealand specifically? We seek articles giving the perspectives of those who work in the field of health, safety and wellbeing of workers and others affected by work. Submissions from workers and their representatives, employers and employer/sector groups, regulatory agencies, academics, lawyers, politicians and insurers will be welcome. 

We call for submissions of articles around these subjects and the current review of the health and safety regulatory framework in New Zealand.