Seminars on public safety

Press, 14 August 1984, Page 8

Seminars on public safety

Wellington reporter One of a series of seminars on public safety, to be held nationally, will be held in Christchurch on October 30 by the Accident Compensation Corporation. These seminars will examine the risks the public are forced to take, the involuntary risks imposed upon them, stemming from the lack or inadequacy of the protection provided for them.

For example, in 1981, more than 2500 pedestrians were injured on the streets of towns and cities in New Zeaand, and in more than one-third of the cases the injuries were caused by tripping or stumbling -over objects or slipping on uneven or unsafe surfaces. Another 25 per cent of those pedestrians had been injured when subjected to a hazardous situation, such .as chemical spillage, falling

objects, equipment or vehicles going out of control, or because a safety device malfunctioned. The corporation said there was no excuse for ordinary or essential aspects of urban life becoming a threat to even the most diligent citizen. It is planned to bring together at the seminars all the bodies concerned with the safety of the public. These include contractors,

master builders, local authorities, Government deSartments, the Red Cross, ivil Defence, the unions, and the St John Ambulance Association. The seminars are intended to help participants to identify and recognise the safety needs of the general public; establish and develop safety management systems; ana approve a systematic approach to solving problems.