This is an interesting discussion! I see the Kaplan, R. S., & Mikes, A. article is freely accessible online here: https://hbr.org/2012/06/managing-risks-a-new-framework

Hi Don, there is a product called Sea to Sky I think through Resene, I recall this used for Kainga Ora lead based paint removal.

Hi Venessa, she works for an organisation called Deaf Aotearoa https://www.deaf.org.nz/ and there are a team that do a lot of interpretation work (workplaces, courts etc), it would be best to reach out to them in the first instance

I've a friend that works as a sign language interpreter, she often goes to factories to support the training and induction of the deaf. I believe this comes at no cost to employers, I asked her about high risk environments and they can usually support effective risk management for the deaf :-)

Risk assessing the route may be a good idea. I was knocked off my cycle by a bus once, Cycle Action Network advised me large vehicles can't see bikes easily. They did an excercise where they got some bus drivers on bikes, and cyclists to experience what bus drivers can see while driving. So factors such as whether a heavy industry area with trucks, or if a high speed area may potentially impact this decision.

Hi Sarah,
An excel whiz maybe able to link the sheets together. I've utilised finance staff in the past to help with issues like that.
All the best, Annalisa

Nice story I am aware also we have aging workforce and need to start to be flexible, so much stigma around age as well as disabilty. Being humane and epathetic goes a million miles to build loyal and trustworthy relationships, a win-win.

Your worker sounds a bit spooked by the process, perhaps let him know of the privacy laws around medical information, then the process if he did declare something, being a medical assessment based only on his ability to perform his role without HS risks, his rights to see any information the employer gives to the medical practitioner (usually a JD), as well as his abilty to discuss with his GP the release of medical information to the assessor. Often workers may think it involves a free for all to their medical records, this is not the case. He may also have a new diagnosis he's concerned of that may not even be an issue to the employer. Perhaps reaffirm that to him also. The aim is hopefully ensure you can accomodate support any issues he has without posing risk to the company or him. Best of luck.

Hi Natalie, the Worksafe BPG is a great resource and I think there are factsheets too. Well worth chipping away on learning the requirements and reccomendations in it. I agree with many here to do a course yourself as its very informative (and fun too!). I did Sitesafe, Shane Clements was the instructor he was very happy to follow up at any stage after the course with any questions, which also leads to the abilty to engage a specialist such as Shane in helping give you some guidance relavant to your position and the nature of work you are dealing with.

Hi Lee, Hynds did some good work on Golden Rules, they were Overhead loads, Drugs & Alcohol, Machinery and Guarding, Working at Height, Exclusion Zones, Traffic events, Loading & Unloading, Electrical Safety & Isolations, Stacking & Storing , albeit slightly differing from soley being construction I'd put Fire/ Hot works in, could even add Bullying behaviours if appropriate.

They could consider as a start 1 paper distance learning to understand the wider overarching components of H&S. These are available via S.I.T, ..I think now also Open Poly also Massey. To attempt a paper is rewarding and gives oversight. From that they then can decide whether to continue on the path of the Jedi.....oops I mean a HS professional

As Dan mentioned the Cynefin framework is good to understand the complexity of knowledge/activity relationships. If you google Sketch of the Cynefin framework, by Edwin Stoop theres a great diagram. I also recommend showing it to anyone if they state H&S is "simple" or "black and white"

If it includes a full sit down cooked breakfast , PPE, and perhaps a semi famous musical act it could be reasonable to charge. ...really doesn't sound like a good practice in my opinion, sounds a little exploitative, I'd charge back on billing with a line item called "Safety".

Have they considered the sugar content? Which is bad. Also I've heard in India they drink hot tea in heat, it hydrates while cools as brings the body temp up to air temp. Could just be 'Woo-woo' but justifying slushy machines sounds equally 'woo-woo' , a whole heap dearer, and with added harm of sugar consumption I am skeptical

Hi Chrissy, You could explore Dropbox. I've utilised it in the past at a limited capacity, sharing SOPs, SDS's, manuals etc, could control versions well. You'd need to play with it a bit for editing site or job specific template style docs. Also iAuditor could be a good system for workers to report issues, modules are customisable e.g haz report, inspection etc. If you have no concerns utilising cloud storage these are free until you want more storage or added features so could be worth exploring. Hope you find a workable solution as document control can be like herding cats!

Hi Sheree, I agree the qualification provides sound theoretical knowledge and best practice approach, but it really is the time out in the field and exposure to managing risk and driving strategy that needs to be considered. I’d have hoped HASANZ registration requires both, surely it does?
I wonder if a site could be developed for reviews of health and safety professionals, akin to ‘Buildercrack’ reviews for builders. :-)
The money grabbing exercise of provided ‘off the shelf systems’ at exorbitant rates is of high concern. HR companies provide health and safety systems for tens of thousands, the vagueness of the documentation may indicate to a bamboozled client they are now ‘compliant’ however they really have nothing comprehensible in relation to their actual work activities or key relationships with other PCBUs.
As you state ‘authentic connections’ are vital for the reputation of the profession, so is building knowledge and continually learning, often by way of achieving qualifications to stretch our points of view and comprehension. :nerd:

Its gutting to see some SMEs completely misled by consultants, to have paid thousands for essentially a copy and pasted document that has no specific relevance to their operations. The worst I ever saw was a few years ago for a steel beam structure factory, their manual referred several times to 'the beauty salon' , obviously from the last client. MBIE used to have a good page on how to question and assess a HS consultant to ensure your getting quality advice, it can be tricky for companies to know 'what good looks like'

Hi Lee,

Taxonomy is another word for classification, I worked with them when in records management :-)

Here is a rocket ship of incident/injury taxonomy with active links to explore, the CDC ‘Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System’ https://wwwn.cdc.gov/wisards/oiics/Trees/MultiTree.aspx?TreeType=Event

Fun to play with, you will see taxonomy trees for Nature of injury, Part of Body, Source, and the Event.

The great thing about a good incident taxonomy is the ability to analyse data and trends. ACC would have very extensive taxonomies, whereas a workplace Incident Reporting system would have a less complex one, still with the ability to identify trends so to hopefully think of the best controls

Hi Jan,
Knuckle booms are a differing breed from a scissor lift both referred to at times as EWPs. They can be confused especially in regards to training requirements. With a knuckle boom there is a higher risk of falling out of the basket, and definitely use of a harness is required. With Scissor lift the risk is not as extreme (although still risk involved). With both EWP types operators need to understand the precheck process..if they don't get that, to me raises red flags to letting them onsite. At least a JSA should be presented for a scissor lift or knuckle boom. Prefer quals, more so if knuckle boom. But if needed walk away if you are relying on the " we've been doing this for xx years" ..it just doesn't cut it anymore. (My 2 cents ☺

Hi Jan,
The unfortunate situation is at times a fabulous H&S consultant provides advice, suggestions as well as overarching guidelines, with the expectation the client may refine & develop (with their expert technical knowledge), and maintain the system. The client can then file it off as their HS system without any further development or maintenance. They've paid money and think "Good 2 Go" If they are not maintaining or refining the system or components of, then potentially a Worksafe Inspector sees a generic underdeveloped system. The Inspector in an instance like this should never disparage the consultants work. Perhaps the inspector is burnt out or over H&S, but I just hope they are able to provide constructive criticism to aid your client to improve rather than put down a H&S practitioner. May the force be with you! Ignore the noise... Best wishes and kind regards, Annalisa.