Kiwis hold safety forum for recruiters

The recruitment industry is one of New Zealand's largest employers. Aside from those working in the industry, every day thousands of workers who go to offices, schools, hospitals, factories and construction sites are temporary workers or contractors provided by recruitmentcompanies.

It is of increasing importance that recruitment consultants understand the responsibilities that they have been entrusted with, including health and safety.

Last year an on-hire employment services health and safety forum was established (including representatives from the recruitment industry, the Council of Trade Unions, ACC and Occupational Safety and Health).

As employers, all recruiters have the same responsibilities under the Health and Safety in Employment Act as everyone else.

The nature of temporary work creates some difficulties relating to control of the workplace, adequate site-specific injunction, provision of training and changing of jobs.

The forum is working towards guidelines for the on-hire industry.

The contracts that the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association provides for members to use for candidates and clients have also all been recently revised to cater for the recent changes in health and safety and to further clarify the responsibilities of the consultancy, the host company and the employee.

The recruitment association has also produced a basic program on health and safety inductions for members of the recruitment industry. The program is supported by ACC.