COVID-19 Alert Level 2

So now we know what to expect when we move to Alert Level 2. While there is still some detail to work through, there are some very key expectations set. I have already started receiving phone calls from businesses still waiting to re-open and those already opening wanting to know what it means for them. So here are my thoughts.

Physical distancing is still in. But at Alert Level 2 it needs to be 1 metre in a workplace. If you have already invested time and money into making it 2 metres, you can just leave it. But be consistent in your workplace.
Remain contactless if you can. Great to also see some provision to avoid hairdressers cutting hair on poles.

Contact tracing is a must. This is as much a moral obligation to help the team of 5 million as it is a specific requirement. There are some great free tools out there. Get in touch if you want to know which ones they are.

Personal hygiene should still be top of mind. Make sure you have plenty of soap, water and drying facilities. Now that the panic buying seems to have stopped, throw in some hand sanitiser in those key areas.
There we go: 3 key messages to think about if you are preparing to open, and a great reminder if you are already open
.
Remember you're welcome to reach out if you'd like advice and tools around the contract tracing - I'm happy to help.

#covid19 #healthandsafety

Comments

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...

Are we damaging risk?

Risk it is a four letter word, yet a word within safety circles that causes so much tension and can be the fuel to many heated debates. 'The effect of uncertainty on objectives' - International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) ' Risk is the chance, high or low, of somebody being harmed by the hazard, and how serious the harm could be.' - Health and Safety Executive (HSE) A quick search would lead people to a number of definitions of this four letter word, as illustrated above. After numerous discussions with some very educated people what I have managed to deduce is that; We will never agree on the definition of risk We all seem to believe that when assessing risk we need to consider two broad (I use the word broad intentionally) things; Risk = Consequence x Likelihood But that is not what I am here to look at. What I am here to try have you reflect on is... 'Are we doing more damage to risk in the way we manage, speak and educate about it ...

Safety culture : Removing the # 8 wire?

Does creating a culture of safety mean getting rid of the 'ol number 8 wire'? This is a general 'fear', 'concern' or misconception I come across on a regular basis when talking to people about health and safety. Before we can answer that question, we should look at three things, what is 'culture'?, what is 'safety'? and what exactly is the 'ol number 8 wire'? Culture is defined in many ways by people. However a couple definitions that resonate with me are ' Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. In this case 'safety' By Kim Ann Zimmerman The Center for Advance Research on Language Acquisition goes a step further, defining culture as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization. Thus, it can be seen as the growth of a group ...

A simple and practical guide to NZ Health and Safety

Search This Blog