RECENT NEWS

When organisations across New Zealand start developing a health and safety system, one key question always comes up – should we build it ourselves or bring in a professional? We recently revisited a conversation with a local organisation that highlights this exact challenge. It is a situation we see often within Kiwi businesses, especially those balancing limited resources with growing compliance responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. So, what is the r

New Zealand, along with the rest of the world, has been through a unique experience, one we hope never to repeat. The craziness of panic buying hand sanitiser, toilet paper and PPE looms large in our memories. COVID-19 highlighted many positive aspects of humanity and identified other areas where we did not stand for the greater good. Like many others, I tried to buy, with limited success, hand sanitiser for my on-the-road workers to keep in their vehicles. If I were honest,

The NZ Herald recently had a couple of articles about a car versus a bus accident in Te Anau. The first photo I saw was the burnt wreck of both vehicles. However, the second article I saw showed the vehicles fully alight, flames leaping high, and black smoke filling the sky. The article read that the man inside the car was screaming for help. Around the same time, there was a fatal car versus train incident near Matamata. The photos, and story, about the Te Anau accident app

Let’s talk about some of the urban myths that are being taken as the truth. There has been a lot of panic about the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and it hasn’t been helped by the scaremongering tactics that are being employed by some people. Unfortunately, some of those people are so-called health and safety consultants. If you are intending to use a contractor, you should check their skills, experience, and qualifications. There are some people taking advantage of

I know this isn’t a work problem for most of you, but it is near to our hearts. We all grew up climbing trees; it’s a rite of passage. There is no need to stop kids from climbing trees. However, look at the trees. Make sure they are strong and cut down any rotten trees. Decide if the branches are strong enough to support the weight of the kids. Look at the ground under the tree. If there is a kerb, concrete or brickwork, consider changing it. It’s okay to tell the kids which