31 deaths on the job this year

Thirty-one New Zealand men have died in on the job since the end of June, leaving families and loved ones behind.

It is a number too high for Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson, who has asked for a report on those workplace fatalities.

"It's not acceptable that 31 families are now without husbands, fathers and brothers," she said. "I want to know why and how these men died. It may be that there were factors outside anyone's control, but if employers have failed in their obligations to keep their staff safe then they must accept the consequences.

"At the very least, these deaths must serve as a wake-up call to all employers and workers that health and safety is very serious - complacency and simple mistakes are killing people needlessly."

Thirty of the men died between the months of July and November, almost twice as much compared to last year, and one has died this month to date - he was a 38-year-old pulp mill worker in Kawerau. All men were between the ages of 45 and 64, the worst affected demographic over the last 10 years.

"Summer traditionally brings with it higher numbers of fatalities, particularly in agriculture, construction and forestry, and it's important we combat that," Ms Wilkinson said.

A total of 55 people have been killed in the last financial year, more than one a week. From July 2000 to December 2009, there have been 556 deaths in the workplace, 96 percent of which were men.

The Department of Labour has started a project to reduce fatalities and serious harm in agriculture and horticulture jobs. It also aims to reduce the toll by working closely with business to build the leadership on health and safety.

"There's so much more that can be done by employers, employees and the department to ensure that workers go home safe each night," she said.

Most of 31 workplace deaths this financial year are still under investigation. The department will report its preliminary findings to the minister before Christmas.

- NZPA