Occupational safety and health is the discipline concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of employees, organisations, and others affected by the work they undertake (such as customers, suppliers, and members of the public).

The primary, and arguably most prominent reason for occupational safety and health (OSH) standards are moral - an employee should not have to expect that by coming to work they are risking life or limb, and nor should others affected by their undertaking.

OSH standards are, generally speaking, further reinforced in both civil law and criminal law; it is accepted that without the extra "encouragement" of potential litigation, many organisations would not act upon their implied moral obligations.

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New Zealand Herald - Health

NZ lagging behind in cardiac care - report
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +1200
New Zealand is lagging behind other developed countries in heart surgery rates and patients have to wait longer than they should, a new report says. The study by cardiac surgeons also found that there was "little correlation" between...
Heater swap could save millions on asthma: study
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
A ground-breaking study has found that getting rid of unflued gas heaters can reduce the cost of treating asthma symptoms by about as much as the millions of dollars the country spends every year on new asthma medication. A third...
Fears keep gamblers from seeking help
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
Many gambling addicts are waiting until their habit creates a crisis before seeking help, a study has found. It was not until they reached financial disaster and psychological distress that many problem gamblers sought help, it...
Mental health care falling short: expert
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
A national web of mental health workers as extensive as New Zealand's network of GPs is needed to meet the country's mental health problems, an expert says. New Zealand's health system was too focused on physical symptoms and needed...
Brian Rudman: DHBs' secret intrigues enough to make you sick
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
Talk about sneaky. While the rest of us are trying to focus on the handouts being promised by our national politicians, the Auckland health boards have chosen this month to hold a secretive "consultation" process on the merits of,...
GP practice a first step in integrated service for homeless
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
The Auckland City Mission has launched a new general health practice targeted at homeless people and being used largely by drug addicts and alcoholics, according to a GP who works there. Nikki Turner, who is also a senior lecturer...
Fan use linked to lower risk of sudden baby death
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:35:03 +1200
CHICAGO - Using a fan to circulate air seemed to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in a study of nearly 500 babies, researchers reported yesterday. Placing babies on their backs to sleep is the best advice for preventing...
'Stand-in dad' fined $10,000
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 05 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
A psychologist has been suspended for "inappropriate" behaviour in his treatment of a woman who had been sexually abused as a child, once climbing in a window at her home when she did not keep an appointment. The Auckland practitioner,...
Family want suicide probe
newsfeeds@nzherald.co.nz Sun, 05 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +1200
The family of an Auckland mother who committed suicide while in the care of a mental health unit will this week demand to know how the tragedy occurred. Brenda Moore, a 42-year-old social worker, was found dead on December 14 in...

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