Comments

  • Vaccination requirement risk assessment
    I have just been doing a risk assessment for a specific sector that isn't your norm. If you take it back to ISO 31000 its about establishing the context first, what are their roles, who are their person exposures, where do they work, where are front facing contact locations (meeting room, vehicle, client location). The environment / facilities and how that is managed, who is front facing, who isn't, shared open plan offices, shared equipment (photocopiers). Can you operate in team bubbles, consider controls if your site becomes a location of interest. Consider worker families / vulnerable people/ workers / clients and their vulnerable people and vice versa. What are the covid controls in place - facilities, practices, opportunities for transmission. The recent basic questions on WorkSafe website were also useful prompts but most was based on context and what their roles are.

    Note the updates - few transmissions in most workplaces and essential services (health service though is a higher exposure) so general controls are working. What happens when people go home.

    Record the risks, note controls - which are largely in place and review as we move to traffic lights and endemic exposures.
    Respond to local infections, vaccinated workers also getting tested in case asymptomatic.
    You can risk assess against the context (people, environment, process and procedures) or get advice, check resources out their for controls - Min of Health or Unite covid 19 or sector resources.

    I don't know that coming up with some template is going to be that great, it was needed at the start of Delta or earlier, not end of the year!! There are sectors that are at risk now and a number that due to context will have lower risk. The risk level will change as the dynamics move forward but you need to understand your controls options now. Many are the controls we have been following under basic infection control, with vaccination an additional control where appropriate.

    Good luck out there with your RAs
  • Health and Safety Management Systems in Golf Clubs
    Good query and great information links from Tony that are easy to follow. In my experience working with volunteer groups, there are so many variations with how they are structured. One golf club I know is a completely voluntary set up and contract out grounds work. A number have a paid grounds person so a PCBU. Many can be are struggling timewise / financially / skill wise to have a system in place. One I know has since closed but did put the most basic of systems in for little or no cost. Those clubs at governance level did see it as relevant. At national level it is a PCBU. Local voluntary associations can also help and ideally players with the right skill set. Good to see the golf NZ link has a reference to ACC on its report form but that is it. The reality for many small to medium business in any industry is they are unlikely to have a return to work plan until they require it, have a significant injury and/or have contact from ACC. How well do NZ Golf monitor governance of H&S across their Districts?