• Vehicle Overspeeds - Tracked Vehicles
    Overspeed is illegal, it's not a suggested target but a limit. Each instance is an offence.
    Big sticks change behavior... or so it seems, but it only changes the perception of fair treatment... there will be resentment especially if tracked vehicles are only applied to a demographic within your organisation.
    Allow staff to determine initial parameters, to work within them and to be subject to them (disciplinary process) with the objective of getting "them" home safely at the end of the day. Further tighten the parameters in time and reward positive change (not expected behavior).
    Make sure everyone in the organisation is subject (the boss is not exempt!)

    Wayne
  • Asbestos awareness week
    Kia ora Whanau,
    I currently work in the Asbestos industry as a Health and Safety Manager, the business I work for is a family owned SME employing around 15 staff. Having a dedicated HS role is not common and prior to my starting relied on the Boss's interpretation of the ACoP. I can say we're in a good position now with ISO45001 and systems that exceed requirements.
    Agree we need an Industry forum to share learnings, strategy and implement best practice, I would be happy to get involved and it might inspire the regulator to step to the plate. Poor practice I see from trades, other removalists and especially DIYers is staggering... killing themselves and they don't even care.
    Wayne Kohi
  • Is Covid still a health & safety thing?
    It is still a thing... We still need contingency should the government change direction and business continuity issues are higher. Personally we have high staff attrition (no shortage, just a staff shuffling) and responsible absenteeism through sickness, but the most concerning for me is that the priority of "work" has stepped down a peg or two.
    I prioritised Workplace culture as our HS focus over the past 4 months to awhi (assist) our staff, the boss in on board with feel good funds and commitment to improve which is great.
    Wayne
  • Te Whare Tapa Whā and beyond
    Kia ora Aaron,
    your reaction to this topic is as expected when the English atomistic translation for the word "Mauri" is "life force"... it leads Tangata Tiriti to the assumption that Mauri is a type of magical/spiritual wellbeing. That assumption is wrong.
    Te Whare Tapa Wha identifies Tinana (physical wellbeing), Wairua (commitment to belief system), Whanau (family support network) and Hinengaro (resilience of the mind against unhealthy thoughts). Mauri is state of balance achieved through a combination of these elements (good or bad) Mauri fluctuates continuously and can increase or decrease depending on the well-being of each element. Te Roopu Marutau o Aotearoa are strong supporters of Maori engagement through Mauri in the workplace... but first we need to expand the minds of those who can not see the benefits of holistic wellbeing. You can find us on LinkedIn.

    Nga mihi nui
    Wayne Kohi