WorkSafe has accepted a binding commitment from the New Zealand Police to improve safety for speed camera operators, after one was critically injured in a high-speed collision on Auckland’s North Shore.
The operator was thrown from his parked van in August 2021, when it was struck by a car on the Upper Harbour Highway at Greenhithe. The car driver died, and the operator suffered life-changing injuries.
A WorkSafe investigation found that Police could have carried out a more effective risk assessment of locations where operators work from, and required them to park safely behind motorway barriers and/or use seatbelts.
In response to the incident, Police has now applied to WorkSafe with a comprehensive pledge to improve safety for its speed camera operators. WorkSafe has officially accepted the pledge, known as an enforceable undertaking, which includes:
- Reparations to the injured operator
- Delivery of an enhanced traffic camera operator induction and training package
- Implementing a framework for managing critical risks and ways to control them
- Creation of a dedicated critical risk team to embed the work programme
- Presentation of lessons learned to the transport sector
“These activities will enable something positive to arise from serious harm. The aim is to bring about enduring health and safety change in a way that a fine through the courts may not have,” says WorkSafe’s deputy chief executive operations, Kane Patena.
The commitment is endorsed by both the injured operator and the Police Association, and will see a significant investment from Police towards worker and job safety.
As a result of the agreement, WorkSafe charges against Police have been discontinued, meaning a trial due to start next month will no longer take place.
“WorkSafe will regularly monitor progress on the activities which have been agreed, and can resume prosecution if the commitment is not upheld,” says Kane Patena.
In 2025, NZTA will begin operating speed cameras through a contracted third-party provider, using a different operating model to that of Police. Police will provide information on lessons learned and improvements made to NZTA to help inform its operation of mobile cameras.
Just another grift from the slimy old politicians and their copper stooges….