A simple and practical guide to NZ Health and Safety

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...

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 ...

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 ...

         Are you a competent risk taker? Is it a straight yes or no type question? I don't know, but I wanted to find out. During a discussion with a colleague earlier this year he left me with some parting words which have stuck in my mind for some time, and that is the the theory of 'competent risk taking'. This  theory leaves me feeling fascinated and confused. I really do like it.  Thinking of my son aged 7 (pictured above), I can't dare not ask the question... are we not all competent risk takers? We all start taking risks at such an early age. I mean everything we do is about the 'severity of the consequence' vs. 'the likelihood of that consequence' (even though we not not consciously be saying that).  So thought I was best to start at the beginning, by breaking the words down; competent adjective having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully. risk This is not a board game! According to the ' International Or...

Hi and welcome to my piece of the blogging empire. I have started posting to help educate people, start discussions and question your current theories around health & safety in New Zealand as I walk this exciting dynamic and fascinating new path in my life. Since 1998 I have been a passionate adventure activity professional, instructing, guiding and teaching multiple outdoor pursuits, managed multiple adventure activity centres and programmes around the North Island of New Zealand, owned and operated an industrial rope access company, was a full time fireman and thought I knew a thing or two about managing health & safety, then I did an accredited safety auditors course and got to fully look at the Health & Safety Employment Act (1992) and my eyes were opened.  So I started on a crusade, a crusade that kept being held up by the fact I was running a rapidly expanding adventure activity business. Now on a path to being a health and safety practitioner, and in a very shor...