Articles

90 Day Trials for Employees

"If he smells like a mechanic, he will be employed." These were the desperate words of one garage owner, in a situation that unfortunately turned pear shape and became very costly for the owner when it went to the Employment Court. Why? Because like so many other small to medium sized enterprise...

Who has to supply PPE?

With summer just around the corner and winter to follow, a question that is often asked is "Who is responsible for the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees and others in the workplace?" Here are several processes that should be considered when managing a company’s PPE, its distribution, use,...

Health and Safety for Contractors Onsite

What health and safety documentation do I need on site? We often get asked these questions: Do I (or my employees) have to have all my health and safety systems with me, when onsite? Do I have to have the machine-specific safe work method statements/safe operating procedures (SOPs) attached to all...

Do I need ISO 45001 for my business?

Recently, I was contacted by a small start-up business asking if I could assist them to implement their ISO 45001 health and safety system. Following the initial introductions, I asked the following questions: When did you start your business? Answer - 2 years ago. What type of business? Answer - transportation business. How...

Trailer Safety

Recently, there have been two court cases involving trailers uncoupling from the towing wagons. One of these incidents resulted in a fatality. As a result, we have reviewed and amended our hazard identification process and supporting safe operating procedure (SOP). I believe that for many businesses, trailers are considered a supporting piece...

Planning for Emergency Situations

The below article highlights the need and responsibility as the PCBU of a business, to ensure that if emergency procedures and equipment has been put in place, that those who have to use it know where it is located, and (more importantly) how to use it. Read article here - Enchanter...

Can WorkSafe enter my business?

A question that we are often asked is, “Can a WorkSafe NZ inspector enter my business at any time to carry out an inspection, to question my employees, to seize materials, records, or any other materials?” The answer is yes, but the key wording in section 168 below of the Health...

How to manage Hazardous Substances

Hazardous Substance registers - how do you manage them? We get asked a lot about the storage and recording of chemicals and other hazardous substances. Here are our recommendations to manage hazardous substances. Recording When it comes to the recording of hazardous goods/substances (what you have on site and use) and their controls, there...

How Effective are your Contractors’ Health and Safety Systems?

Every business has external contractors to undertake work for them - whether it be the plumber, the vinyl layer, the painter, the builder, an air conditioning servicing business, etc. My question to all businesses is: have you communicated the health and safety requirements of your business to the contractors you use;...