Are you ready for COVID-19 Alert Level 2?

No doubt you were glued to the screen at 4pm Monday, waiting for the much-anticipated announcement - and if you're like the many people who have already been on the phone to me, you're now running around like a headless chicken preparing to open...

Before you race off and create the next cluster, take 2 minutes to read some quick guidance from me, that I've already been sharing with business owners and managers today:

Plan. Going back to work on Thursday is not going to be business as usual. Instead of just your immediate team, we are now part of a team of 5 million and every team member has expectations of you. Take the time to make a plan. This may include re-organising floor plans or creating one way traffic flows. Not sure where to start? Give me a call and I will link you through to some great industry guidance that has been published to help people just like you.

Communicate. Once you have a plan you need to communicate this. Communicate it with your workers, your contractors, your clients, your suppliers. Sing it from the rooftops. Not only will this ensure you effectively implement your plan, but it will give your customers' confidence. Confidence that they can deal with you safely, because you know what you're doing, you're respectful of the situation and because you care enough to do a good job of making a plan and executing it.

Walk before you run. I know you want to get back to work. I know you want to see people and no doubt you're keen to give out a few hugs and kisses and the odd high five. But it will be bad for business if you get caught up in the next Covid cluster so be cautious and take level 2 seriously. Use your coming days smartly: create a cohesive plan that actually makes sense and does what it needs to do. I can't stress enough that level 2 means you'll still be operating differently to the norm - take your time, be prepared for things to be slower than you're used to, and do things right so we don't have to head back to level 3, take 2!

Please get in touch if you need help with your plan or want me to have a quick look at what you've come up with. There are so many great resources out there and I am happy to send you in the right direction so that we can all do our part to make level 2 work for all of us.

Comments

If only we managed safety like we were camping...

We have just experienced the end of daylight savings here in New Zealand and as I adjust to the short days and dark nights that now await us, I find myself reflecting on a summer that was well ... just grand. The highlight for me was the purchasing of a grand old canvas family tent which would allow the family and I to embark on many adventures for years to come. Embark we did ... out the blocks with two camping trips under our belt already. We are going places. Now as the reflections from my grand summer swirl around in this head of mine and I wonder down the well formed path of safety professionals before me aiming to deliver inspirational training and sound advice. These two worlds collide. And I get it! Wouldn't it be great if we managed safety like we were camping? Trip number 1 , sees us off shortly after New Years. Trailer in tow and a weather forecast which would see most stay at home. After over four hours in the car and countless ' are we there yet's ...

Are you a team player?

Reflecting on the recent Francie incident (I use this word intentionally) it got me thinking. Am I a team player when it comes to safety? Shifting through the archives of my memory I draw on the conclusion I am possibly not. A harsh reality to contemplate. But they do say the truth is always hardest to bear. Why not I hear you say? Well I like to think I play well with others. I like to think I engage with others on safety initiatives. I like to think I follow all safety instructions when provided. So why don't I think I am a team player? Well how many times had I seen some unsafe acts and walked passed. How many times did I tell myself... 'not my issue' when I knew they could be doing it better. When I was in business, the sad truth was if a competitor had an incident outwardly it would be all 'thoughts are with'. But inwardly thinking how could I capitalize on their mistake? What could I get out of it? Now that is not being a team play...

Risk has benefits?

It is about managing risks. That is one of the primary requirements intended by the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. For me it should be the foundation of any organisation. Having blogged about risk before, I don’t want to be seen to be repeating myself. I do however feel it is important that when discussing risk we are all on the same page. Risk is not a hazard. Hazards create risk. Something I felt needed to be cleared up. For years people have debated over the definition of risk, and I have no intention of adding fuel to that fire. But we (the Health and Safety Profession) all agree. When considering risk we need to consider two things. The likelihood of an event occurring, and The severity of the consequence Now that we are all on the same page with traditional risk considerations, might I be so bold as to add a third consideration? The benefits Now I hear you all say... “the benefits of risk, risk ...

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