The review’s findings confirm the basic strategy is still valid and some progress has being made; however many of the essential elements are still not in place and the lack of reliable data makes it very difficult to assess if our performance is actually getting better or worse.
The key health and safety issues that still need to be addressed include:
● improved focus and delivery for occupational health issues
● workplace capability and guidance (especially for small businesses)
● sector-based approaches, especially in high-risk industries
● competency standards for health and safety professionals
● worker participation in workplaces, including health and safety representatives
The report recommends the development of a national action agenda that clearly articulates the priorities that will be addressed over the next three years; and establishing clear accountability processes for monitoring and reporting progress to the Minister. The Department of Labour will be working with the health and safety sector to develop the action agenda and will present a draft to the Minister of Labour by the end of June.
We at Impac largely agree with the review’s findings and have already taken steps to support many of the recommendations especially around enhancing competence at all levels from h&s reps to Directors, working with sector and intermediary groups and supporting small businesses.
CEO forum update
The Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum was set up last year with support from the Minister of Labour to help reduce New Zealand's high work injury and illness rate. More than 25 senior executives from NZ’s largest businesses and government agencies made a commitment to step up and take on a leadership role on workplace health and safety. This is the first time leaders at that level have collaborated on a health and safety initiative at this level.
The Forum aims to be a platform to support, develop and sustain world-class safety leadership in New Zealand, and to create healthier, safer and more productive workplaces. Amongst those involved are Ken Rivers (CEO, NZ Refineries), Bruce Emson (CEO, NZ Bus), Cos Bruyn (CEO, Downer EDI Works), Peter Clark (CEO, PF Olsen), Christopher Blake (CEO, Department of Labour), Dr Jan White (CEO, ACC), Kevin Mulcahy (MD, OCS Ltd), Peter Whittall (GM, Pike River Coal), Paul Lane (GM, Thomson Reuters), Peter Browne (GM, PMP Print NZ), and Neil Burton (HSES Manager, Shell Todd Oil Services).
A Summit in Auckland is planned for 25 March 2010 where motivated business leaders can come along to endorse the work of the Steering Group and signal support.
An exclusive (max 30 place) three hour workshop for senior executives has been arranged in Auckland on 14 June 2010 to coincide with the Safeguard Conference and Awards. It will be run by US-based health and safety "guru" Dr Richard D Fulwiler who is listed by EHS Magazine in their top 50 most influential leaders and was Procter & Gamble's director of health and safety worldwide after 28 years of service.
A public launch is proposed for June. Business leaders will be asked to make a personal commitment to take a leadership role on health and safety in their companies, their industries and in the wider business community.
If you are interested in participating in the Forum or being kept up to date with developments please contact leadersforum@dol.govt.nz
Comparison of New Zealand and Australian safety performance
A recent official report issued in Australia provides an interesting insight into how well we compare with the States and Territories across the “ditch”. Read report in full
Using official NZ Government data the report’s most worrying statistic is the growing gap between the workplace fatality rate in NZ and those of other countries (see item below).
At a time when much of our manufacturing industry is moving offshore and with small numbers employed in some high risk sectors such as mining or chemical manufacture it is worrying to see that proportionately more New Zealanders die at work than in any of the 7 countries against which we were compared.
Minister orders inquiry into workplace deaths
The Minister of Labour has called for an urgent report from the Department of Labour on the number of workplace deaths (see item above) after a record 30 workers died between July and November 2009. Read this report
A report was promised before Xmas however nothing has been published yet.
Sadly, we have been involved in undertaking a number of reviews following deaths and serious injuries for a range of clients. Some of our key observations as to the steps that can be taken to prevent them occurring include:
- Enhancing awareness of safety/risk issues at all levels in the business –starting at the top.
- Ensuring safety considerations are included at the earliest stage of procurement –whether of a new machine or process, design of a building or plant or engaging a third party to undertake contract work for you.
- Better management of the supply chain –in particular designers, project managers and contractors
- Establishing clear lines of accountability and performance measures
- Establishing robust procedures, systems and work practices and then auditing them to ensure they are being followed and are delivering the right outcomes
- Learning from experience. Most serious accidents were preceded by other (sentinel) events which could have shown that risks were not being adequately managed, if they had been properly investigated.
100th candidate completes NEBOSH course
Only 2 years after being launched in New Zealand, Impac has trained its 100th candidate on the NEBOSH International General Certificate course. 
Alan Clifford, Impac’s lead NEBOSH trainer, said "I'm delighted with the uptake of this course which provides the first step on the journey towards professional health and safety practitioner status. The course is quite intensive and it has been an eye opener for a number of people who now realise how much there is to learn in health and safety. Many who have now undertaken this internationally recognised qualification are now embarking on the process of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and we are keen to work with them as they progress."
Nearly 40 “NEBOSHees” attended an exclusive inaugural update seminar in Auckland in December. The response was so positive that another event is planned for 2010.
See Nebosh for further details of forthcoming NEBOSH courses
ACC health and safety rep funding latest
A few FREE places are still left from the 2009/10 allocation of ACC funded health and safety representative courses over the next few months. These are for reps from the target industries and in particular for those looking to progress to Stage 2 and beyond.
ACC have indicated that Impac’s funding will be renewed into 2011 and we hope to start discussions with them shortly about the profile and number of these places. If you are interested in booking places or registering for 2010/11 please email contactus@impac.co.nz or phone 0800 476 588
Latest asbestos disease report published
“Asbestos is a problem of the past. It was all removed in the 1980s”. This familiar cry is sadly misplaced and asbestos, like taxes, remains with us. The latest report from the Department of Labour Asbestos Medical Panel reviews reported cases of asbestos related diseases from 1992-2008. Read the full report
It shows that the number of cases of mesothelioma, a fatal cancer caused only by exposure to asbestos, continues to increase and stood at over 100 in 2005 (the last year for which data is available). This is nearly double the number of people who died from accidents at work.
Evidence from a review Impac carried out for the DoL in 2007 (still unpublished) and from overseas suggests that the legacy from asbestos exposure in the past is still not over. Many buildings constructed in the earlier part of the 20th century (up to about 1990) are becoming due for refurbishment or demolition and exposure to a range of trades including construction and demolition workers, plumbers, joiners, electricians, etc is still a concern.
The UK Health and Safety Executive has an excellent website and we at Impac have our own experts who can advise you on how to assess your workplace and manage any asbestos risks.
Berryman case finally settled?
The long running saga involving the Berrymans and the death of a bee keeper when a bridge on their farm collapsed as he was driving over it has become a legend in health and safety circles, with as much incorrect and misinformation circulating as fact.
After many legal battles, latterly involving Ron Moody as the couple’s flamboyant lawyer, the Government made a full and final settlement over Xmas of any claims the farmers might have against OSH, the Army, or other agents of the Crown. They reluctantly accepted this and then proceeded to call for a Judicial enquiry into alleged wrongdoings.
The Berryman case led to changes in section 16 of the HSE Act to narrow the responsibilities of landowners and a new DoL factsheet has recently been produced which will be of interest to anyone who has land that the public may access.
Safeguard Awards and Safeguard Conference 2010
The 2010 Safeguard Awards have now been officially launched and we have booked our table at SKYCITY for the evening.
Many of our clients have done some fantastic work this year and we would encourage you to promote your achievements through these awards. As sponsors of the large business category (but not involved in the judging) we would be delighted to hand the trophy to someone we have worked with over the last year.
We also understand the Conference programme is shaping up well (not least because Mike will be speaking!) so look out for details shortly.
New senior consultant at Impac
After searching far and wide, Impac is delighted to welcome a new senior consultant to our Wellington team.
Jim Allardyce joins us from SiteSafe but hails from Scotland where he worked for the Health and Safety Executive and before that in the maritime industry. Jim has lectured in health and safety to undergraduate students on both construction and specialist courses and has a keen interest in vocational training. Jim is a chartered Member of IOSH as well as being tertiary qualified in operations and industrial management. One of Jim’s particular interests is in project and contractor management and he hopes to bring all his experience together to help Impac clients to better understand this important and complex area. Contact jim@impac.co.nz
Update on online booking
In our last newsletter we announced our intention to offer online bookings and expressions of interest for Impac training. We hope to have this new functionality up and running in the next month. Keep an eye on our website for details.
Best wishes
The Impac Team