Oct 25
A Nation Still Falling Behind
The Real Cost of Workplace Accidents in New Zealand
A recent report by the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum, authored by economist Shamubeel Eaqub, has once again raised the alarm on Aotearoa’s troubling workplace health and safety performance. Nearly half of New Zealanders have been directly or indirectly affected by a workplace incident. In 2023 alone, these failures cost the country an estimated $4.9 billion, up from $4.4 billion in 2022. This figure includes lost lives, lost earnings, serious injury claims to ACC, and broader health-related issues.
The report also underscores a sobering comparison. New Zealand workers are twice as likely to die on the job than their Australian counterparts, and five times more likely than workers in the UK. Catching up to Australia’s performance would save $1.4 billion annually. Matching the UK could save $3.4 billion. These aren’t abstract numbers; they represent lives saved, injuries prevented, and families spared from trauma.
New Zealand’s workplace fatality rate is 60% higher than Australia’s and over 500% higher than the United Kingdom’s. While legislation and regulatory systems may appear similar on paper, the outcomes speak volumes. Economist Shamubeel Eaqub, who authored the report, states: “If New Zealand could match Australia’s performance, we’d save $1.4 billion annually. Matching the UK would save $3.4 billion.”
A Closer Look at the Warehousing, Logistics, and Transport Sector
While construction and forestry often dominate headlines for workplace incidents, the warehousing, logistics, and transport industries are also high-risk sectors and too often overlooked. According to Forbes, warehouse work is now considered the third most dangerous occupation in the United States, behind only firefighters and police officers. In 2020 alone, 16% of warehouse fatalities were caused by “struck-by” injuries, including incidents involving forklifts and reach trucks.
Recent WorkSafe data shows that between 2019 and 2025, there were 50 fatalities recorded in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector. Vehicle-related incidents accounted for 82% of those deaths. Other causes included falls from trucks, being crushed between vehicles, and machinery-related accidents. The dominant risk, both on-road and within the workplace, remains vehicle movement.
In the 12 months from November 2023 to October 2024, over 28,000 workers were injured badly enough to require more than a week away from work. Leading causes included muscular stress from manual handling, slips and trips, and being struck by moving objects.
The Multiplier Effect of Smart Safety Investment
Forward-thinking warehouse and logistics leaders are discovering that investing in safety is not a sunk cost; it pays off across the business. Installing laser collision avoidance systems can prevent minor collisions, avoid serious injuries, reduce damage, and shorten training times.
AI pedestrian-detection systems are already in use in Auckland. Forklifts shut down when someone enters a safety zone. Fully automated robot reach trucks have not led to job losses; they have allowed workers to shift into safer, value-adding roles.
Laser-based systems use visible cues or infrared detection to alert both pedestrians and drivers, reducing sidewall strikes and near misses.
What About Small and Medium Businesses?
Not every employer can afford the latest AI safety systems or expensive upgrades. For SMEs, health and safety compliance can feel like a balancing act. Free or subsidised training through industry bodies or ACC can help. High-impact changes like clear pedestrian lanes, better lighting, and colour-coded zones can make a real difference.
There is also hope in VR-based training. Site Safe NZ launched VR-based safety courses for construction in 2023. If expanded to warehousing and logistics, this would help make safety accessible across business sizes.
The Human Factor
Despite advances in technology, many workers still view safety protocols as tick-box exercises. Inductions alone are not enough. The key to safer workplaces lies in culture: discussing safety openly, sharing real incidents, and building emotional buy-in. When workers understand the risks to themselves and others, they are far more likely to act safely, support one another, and help create a better environment overall.
Reform, Progress, and the Real Value of Safety
In April 2025, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden announced reforms aimed at reducing red tape while sharpening focus on critical risks. The changes include clarifying roles, simplifying reporting requirements, and updating Approved Codes of Practice. These reforms are designed to provide clearer guidance on what is considered ‘reasonably practicable’ for compliance, particularly for smaller businesses navigating complex standards.
While regulation is important, real progress also depends on how safety is valued within organisations. Some companies still see it as a cost, but in reality, it is a strategic investment. A serious incident can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, lost productivity, and damage to morale and reputation. Conversely, safe workplaces attract talent, retain staff, and perform more effectively. Embedding safety as a core business value not only protects people but strengthens long-term success.
Final Thoughts
New Zealand has an opportunity to lead in smart, human-centred safety. But it starts with acknowledging the gaps and closing them.
Warehousing, logistics, and transport businesses must make safety core to operations. It is not just about compliance; it is about protecting the people who keep our supply chains moving.