Advanced Safety NZ

How Spec X transformed their approach to construction safety in New Zealand by developing and implementing their own health and safety management system. https://lnkd.in/g5XszEvz

The recent Maritime New Zealand prosecution of former Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson sheds critical light on health and safety leadership failures. The case, which resulted from the preventable death of stevedore Pala'amo Kalati during a night shift in August 2020, unveils deep-seated safety management issues and offers pivotal lessons for business leaders across New Zealand. This blog post explores our immediate key findings from the judge's ruling and their implications for effective health and safety management. https://lnkd.in/gMb-FnDk #Officer #HSWA #Leadership #caselaw

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐥 When I first met the team at a small civil business, they were overwhelmed by the idea of health and safety. "Where do we even start?" the owner asked, arms crossed, frustration etched across his face. Like many businesses, they felt health and safety was a massive, unscalable mountain and they were at the base with no map or climbing gear. But the truth is, every journey starts with a single step. So, that's what we focused on: the first step. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 - Risk Assessments: Walk through your workplace with fresh eyes and note potential hazards. - Employee Involvement: Encourage your team to share their safety concerns. 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 - Safety Discussions: Introduce discussion on key safety topics. - Checks: Create simple task-based safety checks to promote consistency. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭 - Lead by Example: When managers prioritise safety, it sets the tone for everyone else. - Recognise Safe Behaviour: Celebrate employees who actively follow safety procedures or come up with good initiatives. - Encourage Openness: Create an environment where workers feel comfortable raising safety concerns. - Action: show action taken 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - Regular Reviews: Periodically assess your safety practices and adjust as needed. - Learn from Incidents: Analyse incidents or near misses to improve prevention measures. - Stay informed: Keep up with industry regulations and standards to remain proactive. Health and safety doesn't have to be daunting. It's not about reinventing the wheel. It's about starting where you are, taking small steps, and committing to continuous improvement. So, if you're feeling stuck, take a page from this. Start small. Listen to your team. Celebrate the wins. Because when you invest in safety, you're not just protecting people, you are building trust, boosting morale, and strengthening your business for the long haul. What is your next step towards a safer workplace? Advanced Safety NZ #WorkplaceSafety #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipInSafety

Cardrona SOHO Basin The last couple of days I had the privilege of spending time with Doppelmayr New Zealand Ltd and their dedicated and experienced team at the Cardrona Alphine Resort SOHO Basin, where preparations are well underway for the highly anticipated "SOHO Express" project, set to be unveiled to the public in the winter of 2025. As someone who deeply appreciate the outdoors, I was struck by the unique blend of excitement and challenge that comes with working on such a remote site. Cardrona holds a special place for many outdoors enthusiasts and knowing that soon they will enjoy and upgraded experience, complete with a new ski lift, adds a layer of excitement to the project. Over the past few days on-site, I immersed myself in understanding the work being undertaken in preparation for this new lift. Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the mountains, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer beauty. Some days, the only view was a sea of clouds below us. Yet, I had to get my head out of the clouds and into work mode, constantly reminded of the inherent risks that come with operating in such a remote environment. What truly impressed me was the Doppelmayr teams' meticulous approach to managing health and safety, even amidst the isolation of these alpine conditions. Their dedication to ensuring every aspect was covered, from good communication skills when travelling across the vast stretch of terrain to robust safety protocols, showcased what it means to lead by example. It was clear that safety wasn't just a requirement, it was embedded in their culture. The professionalism and leadership provided by Garreth Hayman, Jayson Spittal were outstanding. Their commitment to excellence set the tone for the entire team, ensuring that every aspect of the project was managed with precision and care. Their strategic direction and hands-on approach made my stay not only safe but a valuable learning experience. I look forward to my next visit next month as I continue to Support Doppelmayr New Zealand Ltd in their journey towards being industry leaders in health and safety practices. Kudos to the entire team for their exceptional work and dedication. Advanced Safety NZ

Lessons from Tragedy: The High Cost of Overlooking Safety in Manufacturing The manufacturing sector, known for its inherent risks, has once again witnessed the dire consequences of overlooked safety protocols, WorkSafe's recent investigation into a fatal incident involving collapsing steel tracking has resulted in a significant fine and serves as a powerful warning for all businesses. A recent WorkSafe report has revealed a steel product company has been fined $330,000 after a tragic incident involving nine tonnes of steel collapsing and causing a fatality in 2020. The investigation highlighted serious safety oversights, including unstable racking that was not cross-brazed or secured to the floor, and a lack of professional engineering input in the racking design. WorkSafe stressed that businesses using industrial shelving must conduct regular safety inspections to identify damage or improper installation early on. Proper signage indicating maximum load limits is also crucial to prevent overloading. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety practices, especially in manufacturing, a sector recognised as one of New Zealand's most high-risk industries. WorkSafe emphasises that managing risks effectively is non-negotiable, and failure to do so will lead to enforcement actions. Advanced Safety NZ #WorkplaceSafety #ManufacturingSafety #RiskManagement #SafetyInspection

Collaboration and Job Planning: The Foundation of Safety Success In recent times I've had the privilege of observing some truly exemplary health and safety practices around various companies. One common factor that stood out was a strong emphasis on collaboration and thoughtful job planning-particularly in drawing on the insights of those at the front line. When we bring workers into the planning and decision-marking processes, we gain access to a wealth of on-the-ground expertise that often makes the difference between theoretical safety and practical, applied safety. I've witnessed teams openly discuss potential risks, assess on-site conditions, and share proactive solutions as part of their day-to-day operations. These discussions weren't aimed at tick boxes; they were honest, solution-focused dialogues that empowered workers and managers alike. Such collaborative approaches lay the groundwork for a robust safety culture-one where each individual feels valued and engaged in maintaining a safe environment. I've seen how this approach can lead to remarkable results, with safety not only becoming a priority but an intrinsic part of every activity. It's experiences like these that highlight the need to make health and safety a team sprot. When everyone's perspective is valued and factored into the planning, it creates a ripple effect of accountability, pride, and a shared commitment to looking out for one another. To the companies leading the way through effective collaboration and practical job planning - well done! You're setting the standard for what true safety success looks like. Advanced Safety NZ #HealthAndSafety #SafetyCulture #Collaboration #TeamWork #JobPlanning #WorkerEngagement

Is the Health and Safety at Work Act About to Be Axed? The coalition government are signalling an overhaul our health and safety system. But scrapping the Health and Safety at Work Act would be a mistake. Why? Because we've never actually given it a chance to work. Here's a glimpse into my submission that I tabled just before the review process came to an end late last night... I would love to know your thoughts on the matter. I believe the Act itself isn't the problem. Poor implementation is. Two factors have held it back: - Weak direction from successive governments - Ineffective leadership from WorkSafe NZ boards and executive Let's look at the facts: Nine years after the Act came in, we still don't have updated regulations for: - Hazardous substances - Plant and structures - Mental health risks - The 2018 Strategy went nowhere. It had no action plan. No measurable targets. No real impact. Meanwhile, workplace harm continues. Work-related diseases kill 15 times more workers than accidents. The total cost of workplace illness and injury? $4.9 billion per year. We do not need a new Act. We need to fix three things: 1. Better coordination between government agencies 2. Proper funding and support for WorkSafe 3. Clear, practical guidance that works in the real world The big question isn't whether to scrap the Act. It's why we never properly implemented it. Before making drastic changes, we need to fix: - Fragmented leadership - Resource shortages - Incomplete regulations Only then can we judge if the Act needs major changes. The solution is simple: let's make what we have work before throwing it away. Do you agree? #HSWAReform #healthandsafetyatwork

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝘁𝗲 - 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 Today was one of those rewarding days out on site that leaves you inspired. Spending time with the team from Smith Crane and Construction, who are leading the sheet piling work on site, reminded me why I love what I do. The energy, the skill, and the camaraderie that drive a project forward. Watching the Smiths' crew in action is like witnessing a well-rehearsed performance. Sheet piling is no small feat; it requires precision, timing, and a strong team connection. It's hard, gritty work, and yet, they make it look seamless, turning steel and machinery into a solid foundation we can build on. What strikes me the most though, is the pride each team member takes in the quality of their work. It's evident in every pile driven, every steady hand, and every exchanged noted between crew members. You can tell they care deeply about the result. Not just for themselves but for the impact it has on the wider project, and everyone involved. The entire piling process, designed to create walls that can withstand the enormous pressure of soil and water, making it indispensable from everything from flood barriers to excavation support systems. The further use of the vibratory drivers with the hydraulic clamping system is fascinating to watch, driving each pile smooth into place. There's a rhythm, a flow to it, as each sheet interlocks in seamlessly, creating a continuous barrier that meets the exact project standards. These on-site moments with the teams remined me that health and safety is as much about supporting people as it is about systems. It's a privilege to witness the dedication of teams like this, who go above and beyond, not just to get the job done but to get it done safely and with real heart. Kudos to Matt Draper and his team on site for their commitment to quality, efficiency, and safety. It's teams like this that make a difference every day with their expertise and teamwork. Advanced Safety NZ #ConstructionHealthAndSafety #TeamWork #OnSite

I'm stepping onto the stage as a keynote speaker at the Safety Summit 2025 on March 27 in Christchurch! I’ll be sharing stories about my journey, including the importance of not waiting for permission, investing in yourself and taking the tall poppy syndrome head-on. The keynote lineup is simply mind blowing. If you're in the safety industry and ready to level up your leadership and career, don’t miss out. Grab your tickets now—let’s connect, learn, and transform together! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gNgp8TTU #safetsummit2025 #NZHSP ——— 🎟️ Grab your ticket 👍 Like the post ♻️ Share with your connections