Maori far more likely to be injured at work, Government says

Maori workers are far more likely to be injured on the job than other employees, the Government has revealed.

Over the last five years, more than 250 people were killed and almost 2000 seriously injured at work.

Maori workers are 44 per cent more likely to be injured at work than the general population.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has today released a draft strategy for health and safety at work.

It’ll look at what improvements need to be made in health and safety in workplaces over the next 10 years.

"I want to ensure that we are reducing all types of significant harm at work – this includes broadening the focus from acute harm to make sure we’re managing wider health risks, including mental health," Mr Lees-Galloway says.

Maori are over represented in injury statistics and high-risk sectors, such as forestry and construction. They are also more likely to be in temporary, geographically remote or precarious employment.

There have been law changes in the last few years that have tightened health and safety regulations.

But Mr Lees-Galloway says they haven’t gone far enough and more "urgent" change is needed.

Submissions on the strategy are open until June 8.