New online course to help make Kiwi workplaces safer

In collaboration with WorksafeReps, the Open Polytechnic has unveiled a new online health and safety course.

The Initial Health - Safety Representative Training course is NZQA accredited, and is designed to meet the requirements of new health and safety legislation being introduced in April this year.

According to WorkSafe New Zealand, between 2011-2016 the number of fatal work-related incidents (excluding maritime, aviation and road crash related deaths) has continued to remain high, with sectors such as agriculture, construction and forestry reporting the highest number of workplace deaths.

The online learning experience includes video scenarios and animated content to explain key concepts, and help learners relate what they are learning to real-life situations.

Richard Wagstaff, President of the NZCTU says that education is 'a key part to unlocking the door to safer and healthier workplaces'.

Delivered through Open Polytechnic's iQualify platform, the course can be accessed from a computer or any mobile device.

"One of the biggest benefits of delivering the Initial Health - Safety Representative Training course online is that it means workers now have another quality option to augment the existing training structure, and can undertake this work flexibly and remotely to fit in around other commitments," says Open Polytechnic chief executive, Dr Caroline Seelig.

Paid leave to complete the training is built into the legislation and the organisations claim having an online option does not reduce this entitlement.

Open Polytechnic also provides accreditation for the course, which includes assessment of the learning outcomes.