Lone ranger? Help is on the way

More New Zealanders are killed at work than workers in other similar countries, according to government health and safety regulator WorkSafe NZ. On average, 75 people per year die on the job, 600-900 die from work-related diseases, and 1 in 10 is harmed in some way — all coming at a cost of $3.5 billion per year. And that doesn't count the social and psychological burden to the friends, family, loved ones and co-workers of those people hurt on the job.

WorkSafe NZ states that New Zealand has unacceptably high rates of workplace fatalities, serious harm injuries and work-related disease and illness. The regulator is working towards a 25 percent reduction of the workplace death and injury toll by 2020. Work is also underway to establish occupational health reduction targets.

The Health and Safety Reform Bill, currently making its way through parliament, will also play an important part in reducing workplace death and injury. Under the new legislation, there is a focus on individual responsibility (not just company responsibility), and on individual liability in the event of a workplace accident. There is also a focus on workers taking more responsibility, both for their own health and safety and also to ensure that their actions do not affect the health and safety of others.

Particularly at risk are workers in isolated places on New Zealand's farms, forests and conservation estates. Remote workers often face harsh and high-risk conditions working on electricity lines, in rugged terrain or remote forestry environments where they have limited or no access to cellular communications networks. They may work in agriculture, construction, telecommunications or forestry, but the common factor is working alone.

Some GPS tracking systems can provide an added layer of safety for remote workers through a communication device or pendant. This device connects remote workers to their managers via mobile networks or the Iridium satellite communication network. Workers can check-in with their managers or signal for help if needed.

Such duress systems utilise GPS tracking units and satellite communications to send notifications back to base. They enable workers to manually send high priority alerts, automatic man down alerts and low priority check-in confirmations. If the device detects a fall or sudden movement, it can send out an automated high priority alert. If the worker does not respond quickly, an alert can be sent to headquarters for immediate attention.

New Zealand's poor record of workplace health and safety is disturbing. With the reform of health and safety law, the government has signaled its intention to improve New Zealand's workplace health and safety record. Duress systems provide an extra level of safety for remote workers and will become increasingly important to meet duty of care obligations for employers.