KEEPING THE WORKFORCE SAFE AT THEIR DESKS

WorkSafe saw fit to file a charge against the Ministry of Social Development following the Ashburton Work and Income shootings last September.

After the killings, the Ministry of Social Development  was charged under section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act.  It is alleged that the Ministry failed to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of its employees while at work.

I was only made aware of this rather absurd turn of events earlier today but apparently the charge was laid in the Wellington District Court shortly after the incident.

Russell John Tully has been accused of murdering Work and Income front-counter workers Peggy Noble, and Susan Cleveland, on 1^st September, 2014.  He is also accused of attempting to murder two other staff members - Lindy Curtis and Kim Adams, who were both injured.   His other transgressions on the day in question are theft, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and setting a man trap.   Clearly a man with a large chip on his shoulder!

The Public Service Association has said that the move shows the importance that must be placed on health and safety in the workplace.

"WorkSafe have the statutory right to make independent decisions regarding prosecution and they won't have made this lightly," PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff has been said to pronounce.

He added it was crucial that the state sector learned "every lesson possible" to ensure tragic events like the Ashburton shootings did not happen again.

"An increased focus on health and safety across the wider state sector is the most important change that must come from this tragedy.   Everybody has the right to go to work knowing they'll return safely home at the end of the day."

Fine sentiments indeed and none of us would argue with Mr. Wagstaff on this matter.   I do wonder, however, exactly how he thinks this particular episode could have been avoided. 

WHAT measures should have been put in place to prevent someone with homicidal intent walking in off the street and committing mayhem?   One can only speculate. It all sounds a bit daft to me.