19 Oct 2012

Accidents will occur in 'high-risk' military

7:54 am on 19 October 2012

A former army chief is warning not to expect fewer military accidents as a result of a review of safety prodecures.

The State Services Commission is looking at the way agencies cope with military accidents in New Zealand, along with a review into the way the Defence Force responded to the fatal Iriquois crash near Pukerua Bay on Anzac Day 2010.

Former Chief of Army Lou Gardiner says the military has the highest standard of safety procedures, and a review is worthwhile, but accidents will continue to happen because of the high-risk nature of the job.

He says most accidents occur because someone has become too familiar with a procedure and tries to take a short cut.