Experts push back against WorkSafe reforms - as research warns of potential for a Pike River repeat

2025-06-04

A new study suggests that another Pike River mine disaster is likely. The Victoria University of Wellington researchers say the failures that lead to the disaster that killed 29 men could happen again at any other organisation. One of their "potentially disturbing observations" is that health & safety training, auditors, and well-qualified staff were not enough to prevent failure – and may also have provided an "illusion of certainty" and overconfidence. The new research has come amidst a slew of c...

A new study suggests that another Pike River mine disaster is likely.

The Victoria University of Wellington researchers say the failures that lead to the disaster that killed 29 men could happen again at any other organisation.

One of their "potentially disturbing observations" is that health & safety training, auditors, and well-qualified staff were not enough to prevent failure – and may also have provided an "illusion of certainty" and overconfidence.

The new research has come amidst a slew of changes to health and safety legislation being pushed through by the Government, which has sparked warnings from advocates.

One of those is Mike Cosman, an independent health and safety practitioner who sat on the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health & Safety established after the Pike River disaster.

And he joins us now on The Front Page to discuss this new study and the proposed changes.

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