A PLUS occupational health and safety services over four specialist areas

A PLUS Health and Safety Limited

___________________________________________________________________

A PLUS HAS SERVICES AVAILABLE

Contents
_____________________________________

Health and Safety Training

Health and safety based operating systems

WSMP programme

Facilitating HSNO applications to ERMA

Some helpful comments when selecting your provider

A PLUS has four SPECIALIST health and safety services available to reduce the overall costs of injury to each of the employee, employer and the ACC.

1.   Health and safety training

Noisy working environments

Incident investigation

Hazard management

Some questions and answers

Comon hazard identification methods

2.   Health and safety based operating systems

3.   The ACC's Workplace Safety Management Practices Programme

4.   Facilitating HSNO applications to ERMA

Each of the above services are explained in more detail below.

1.   CLIENT-BASED HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING

NOISY WORKING ENVIRONMENTS
__________________________

The industrial revolution has introduced the effects of excessive noise into our workplaces. In spite of modern processes and developments, workplace noises continue to expose our ears to sound energy levels that the human ear was never designed to listen to.

Interpreting communication - In the workplace, interpreting instructions becomes a more difficult process, especially with the range of background noises that are above normal speaking levels.   Stressful situations are more likely to occur making two-way effective communication difficult.   Errors are likely to occur.

Engineering environments - Excessive noise emissions in plants can be minimised.   Cost effective strategies are available that can be implemented to help those who work in these stressful environments.

Training courses - All of us need to be aware of how our hearing mechanism works and how our body reacts to excessive noise. Training is tailor made to client requirements, addressing specific needs within financial budget constraints.

INCIDENT INVESTIGATION
_____________________

Serious Harm - when serious harm has occurred, this means that one or more of the statutory duties have not been complied with.  Prosecution for failure in that statutory duty could also be likely.   The facts and circumstances all contribute to a sequence of events that result in harm.

A common trend, however, is to blame someone.   This may be unfair.    Whenever injury occurs, it is the health and safety system that has failed and needs to be addressed.

Training courses - Incident investigation is a skill that is learnt.

Interviewing techniques are used to find out what steps occurred to cause the injury.

Pramenters leading to the injury are systematically considered for health and safety management system failures.

Facts are identified and analysed - examining the root causes and associated contributing factors.

HAZARD MANAGEMENT
__________________

Workplace hazards are evident in many commercial, industrial and corporate environments where people work.   Some hazards may relate to the interior design where architects still need to address certain design principles to include ergonomic principles for those who work there. Other hazards may relate to the individual way people work in order to adapt to the working environment.

Ergonomic assessments identify what interior environmental hazards there are, such as perhaps glare, leading to migraines.   There may be an inappropriate workstation height, leading to an awkward posture to meet the needs of the task in hand.    An ergnomic assessment usually eliminates the particular hazard and recommends solutions that work within the range of the individual's comfort zone.

"Grass-root" health and safety principles are used in training to introduce new techniques and problem-solving initiatives to reduce injuries.   If the basics are understood, then the foundations will support the appropriate health and safety systems that are needed to be in place.   Back strain and neck stress can usually be eliminated by the user.

Identifying hazards needs to be part of an effective system, rather than a haphazard exercise.   (See questions and answers in the next section below.)

Training courses - Special techniques in identifying all significant hazards are used to provide the health and safety security that people need at work.

SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
___________________________

Question:   Do you find that you continue to do what has always been done in hazard management?

Question:   Do you somehow hope for a better result in hazard management without changing anything significant ?

Answer:   Think about it. If you want to improve, your approach needs to include learning some new tools and skills to ensure that:-

Under Section 19 (a) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 [the Act], you and your team are to be safe while at work.

Under Section 19 (b) of the Act, you and your team will not default through either any action or inaction being taken to prevent harm to any other person at work.

Think about whether your company applies any of the following three commonly used hazard identification approaches at your place of work ?

COMMON HAZARD IDENTIFICATION METHODS
____________________________________

There are three common hazard identification approaches that are used in New Zealand.

The token gesture

Do you use only your common sense to identify the obvious hazards around you ?

Unfortunately, common sense, is not enough - something could be left out and someone could be harmed.   You need to be pro-active by using techniques that are effective and systematic.

Section 7 (a) and (b) of the Act requires "effective" and "systematic methods", so that hazards are identified "if possible BEFORE and otherwise as they arise".

The procrastinator

Do you wait until someone is injured, then identify the hazard that caused it ?

Unfortunately, this is similar to being at the "bottom of the cliff" instead of being at "the top of the cliff" - to prevent harm.

Section 6 (d) of the Act requires that "employees are not exposed to hazards while they are at work.

The delegator

Do you appoint one person to identify all of the hazards, because they could do the job better than yourself ?

Should you not know how to identify the hazards that are associated with the work you do ?   Do you have so many other things to do, there isn't the time just now ?

Every person has the duty to always ensure the safety of themselves and others while at work.

Those who are in control of the place of work must provide the opportunity for all employees to be fully involved with planning and development of procedures for their safety.

2.   HEALTH & SAFETY BASED OPERATING SYSTEMS

Most clients already have in place a company health and safety plan that outlines all of their health and safety systems.

Formal health and safety systems should be reviewed for possible improvements on an annual basis and whenever new plant or equipment is introduced at work.

During the review, recommended changes are introduced to improve the overall management and functioning of those systems.

For example:-

Some systems may only require a simple form to ensure that a paper-trail is available to indicate the reasoning behind the health and safety decision-making process. This is very useful for injury investigation, monitoring effectiveness of hazard control measures, and for auditing purposes.

Should the system be informal with little reference material accessible, then those systems should be documented into either an electronic or a cohesive paper-based whole.   The system is custom-made to accommodate the needs of the client's company.

Where clients may only need slight enhancement and expansion of their health and safety manual, such as a supply of updated reference material, this is also provided for the client's workplace library.

3.   The ACC's "WORKPLACE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES" PROGRAMME

The Workplace Safety Management Practices [WSMP] programme is an ACC initiative to reduce injuries and related losses by making workplaces safer. The programme applies to either small or large employers.

Company health and safety systems are assessed in preparation for auditing.   This is part of the entry process into the WSMP programme.

There needs to be a high standard of health and safety related documentation available for auditing - examining the company's health and safety management manual and records.   Sound health and safety procedures need to be evident.

Because of the less likelihood of a worker being injured, this means that conscientious employers receive either the 10% (primary level) or 15% (secondary level) or 20% (tertiary level) rebate on ACC premiums from ACC.   The discount is in return for the company's ongoing commitment to health and safety principles and practices.

For example:-

Once the audit has been completed, the auditor provides a recommendation to ACC for the company to attain either primary, secondary or tertiary level status.

Then the company receives a substantial premium rebate, that offsets their initial investment in health and safety.

Please note, however, that if there is a fatality, or a spate of injuries at the workplace, the discount could be removed by ACC.

4.   FACILITATING HSNO APPLICATIONS TO ERMA

Application forms require detailed documentation as part of the preparation for acceptance by ERMA -the Environmental Risk Management Authority

under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 [HSNO].

For example:-

Maori consultantion is accorded a high priority when making an "Application for Approval" to ERMA.   Protection of the land, fishing areas, indigenous flora and fauna are always to be preserved.   Observing protocol is very important.

The ongoing relationship with Maori and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi must not be adversely affected from the effects of any imported or locally manufactured hazardous substance.

Please note that each application to ERMA will only be accepted by them on a qualified basis because of the complexity, detail, and issues involved.

Therefore companies need to obtain the assistance of a trained HSNO advisor. This is because of the important requirement to meet a high standard in the application, completing the comprehensive detail to comply with all of the HSNO Act 1996 requirements, before hazardous substances can be accepted into New Zealand.

PUBLIC INFORMATION AVAILABLE
____________________________

There is some general public information available about hazardous substances on the following sites that may be of interest to you:-

www.ermanz.govt.nz - to access the HSNO register on hazardous substances and new organisms.

www.hsno.govt.nz - to access the educational world of the hazardous substances and new organisms.

Some helpful comments

when selecting your provider

Before any service is provided

You should consider what services are proposed to be undertaken, taking into account any specific needs that you have already identified.

In this regard, it is helpful if you write down what is the expected outcome from the proposed service. This becomes the working brief for the consultant. Then both you and the consultant share a clear aim and direction to proceed in order to achieve the required outcome.

Ask colleagues

A recommendation from someone that you know is helpful. "Word of mouth" is valuable and is usually a reliable source of information.

Remember that every consultant has an area of expertise where their health and safety consultancy work excels.   That work may cover either a broad or specialist area according to the particular direction you want the work to be taken.

Before selection

Peruse the proposal of service based on the written brief that you gave the consultant.   Does the proposal provide the means to achieve your goals ?

Arrange a brief meeting with the selected consultant. You will need to feel comfortable that the consultant has the skills and qualifications to provide you with the services that you are seeking.  Satisfy yourself that the person is trustworthy and practises ethical principles.

Dick Brown (Chairman and Chief Executive of EDS) www.eds.com has said that "Relationships are built on trust.   Trust is built on performance."

You will need to ensure that your health and safety needs are both met and will remain at a high priority at all times.

After the service

Development of a professional relationship becomes a positive asset in any business.

Provide feedback to your consultant on how their services were able to meet your goals. Are there new areas that should be addressed as a result of the service ?   Would your associates also benefit from the consultant's assistance ?

On the other hand, if you were not satisfied, let your consultant know why - it could become a valuable lesson for both of you.

A PLUS Health and Safety Limited   Phone + 64 4 939 8655
Level 1, 11-13 Broderick Road, Johnsonville, Wellington, New Zealand

email:  a.plus@paradise.net.nz    www.aplushasservices.co.nz

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		A PLUS HAS SERVICES AVAILABLE Contents _____________________________________ Health and Safety Training Health and safety based operating systems WSMP programme Facilitating HSNO applications to ERMA Some helpful comments when selecting your provider
		A PLUS has four SPECIALIST health and safety services available to reduce the overall costs of injury to each of the employee, employer and the ACC.
		1. Health and safety training Noisy working environments Incident investigation Hazard management Some questions and answers Comon hazard identification methods
		2. Health and safety based operating systems
		3. The ACC's Workplace Safety Management Practices Programme
		4. Facilitating HSNO applications to ERMA
		Each of the above services are explained in more detail below.
		1. CLIENT-BASED HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
		NOISY WORKING ENVIRONMENTS __________________________ The industrial revolution has introduced the effects of excessive noise into our workplaces. In spite of modern processes and developments, workplace noises continue to expose our ears to sound energy levels that the human ear was never designed to listen to. Interpreting communication - In the workplace, interpreting instructions becomes a more difficult process, especially with the range of background noises that are above normal speaking levels. Stressful situations are more likely to occur making two-way effective communication difficult. Errors are likely to occur. Engineering environments - Excessive noise emissions in plants can be minimised. Cost effective strategies are available that can be implemented to help those who work in these stressful environments. Training courses - All of us need to be aware of how our hearing mechanism works and how our body reacts to excessive noise. Training is tailor made to client requirements, addressing specific needs within financial budget constraints.
		INCIDENT INVESTIGATION _____________________ Serious Harm - when serious harm has occurred, this means that one or more of the statutory duties have not been complied with. Prosecution for failure in that statutory duty could also be likely. The facts and circumstances all contribute to a sequence of events that result in harm. A common trend, however, is to blame someone. This may be unfair. Whenever injury occurs, it is the health and safety system that has failed and needs to be addressed. Training courses - Incident investigation is a skill that is learnt. Interviewing techniques are used to find out what steps occurred to cause the injury. Pramenters leading to the injury are systematically considered for health and safety management system failures. Facts are identified and analysed - examining the root causes and associated contributing factors.
		HAZARD MANAGEMENT __________________ Workplace hazards are evident in many commercial, industrial and corporate environments where people work. Some hazards may relate to the interior design where architects still need to address certain design principles to include ergonomic principles for those who work there. Other hazards may relate to the individual way people work in order to adapt to the working environment. Ergonomic assessments identify what interior environmental hazards there are, such as perhaps glare, leading to migraines. There may be an inappropriate workstation height, leading to an awkward posture to meet the needs of the task in hand. An ergnomic assessment usually eliminates the particular hazard and recommends solutions that work within the range of the individual's comfort zone. "Grass-root" health and safety principles are used in training to introduce new techniques and problem-solving initiatives to reduce injuries. If the basics are understood, then the foundations will support the appropriate health and safety systems that are needed to be in place. Back strain and neck stress can usually be eliminated by the user. Identifying hazards needs to be part of an effective system, rather than a haphazard exercise. (See questions and answers in the next section below.) Training courses - Special techniques in identifying all significant hazards are used to provide the health and safety security that people need at work.
		SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ___________________________ Question: Do you find that you continue to do what has always been done in hazard management? Question: Do you somehow hope for a better result in hazard management without changing anything significant ? Answer: Think about it. If you want to improve, your approach needs to include learning some new tools and skills to ensure that:- Under Section 19 (a) of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 [the Act], you and your team are to be safe while at work. Under Section 19 (b) of the Act, you and your team will not default through either any action or inaction being taken to prevent harm to any other person at work. Think about whether your company applies any of the following three commonly used hazard identification approaches at your place of work ?
		COMMON HAZARD IDENTIFICATION METHODS ____________________________________ There are three common hazard identification approaches that are used in New Zealand.
		The token gesture Do you use only your common sense to identify the obvious hazards around you ? Unfortunately, common sense, is not enough - something could be left out and someone could be harmed. You need to be pro-active by using techniques that are effective and systematic. Section 7 (a) and (b) of the Act requires "effective" and "systematic methods", so that hazards are identified "if possible BEFORE and otherwise as they arise".
		The procrastinator Do you wait until someone is injured, then identify the hazard that caused it ? Unfortunately, this is similar to being at the "bottom of the cliff" instead of being at "the top of the cliff" - to prevent harm. Section 6 (d) of the Act requires that "employees are not exposed to hazards while they are at work.
		The delegator Do you appoint one person to identify all of the hazards, because they could do the job better than yourself ? Should you not know how to identify the hazards that are associated with the work you do ? Do you have so many other things to do, there isn't the time just now ? Every person has the duty to always ensure the safety of themselves and others while at work. Those who are in control of the place of work must provide the opportunity for all employees to be fully involved with planning and development of procedures for their safety.
		2. HEALTH & SAFETY BASED OPERATING SYSTEMS
		Most clients already have in place a company health and safety plan that outlines all of their health and safety systems. Formal health and safety systems should be reviewed for possible improvements on an annual basis and whenever new plant or equipment is introduced at work. During the review, recommended changes are introduced to improve the overall management and functioning of those systems.
		For example:- Some systems may only require a simple form to ensure that a paper-trail is available to indicate the reasoning behind the health and safety decision-making process. This is very useful for injury investigation, monitoring effectiveness of hazard control measures, and for auditing purposes. Should the system be informal with little reference material accessible, then those systems should be documented into either an electronic or a cohesive paper-based whole. The system is custom-made to accommodate the needs of the client's company. Where clients may only need slight enhancement and expansion of their health and safety manual, such as a supply of updated reference material, this is also provided for the client's workplace library.
		3. The ACC's "WORKPLACE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES" PROGRAMME
		The Workplace Safety Management Practices [WSMP] programme is an ACC initiative to reduce injuries and related losses by making workplaces safer. The programme applies to either small or large employers. Company health and safety systems are assessed in preparation for auditing. This is part of the entry process into the WSMP programme. There needs to be a high standard of health and safety related documentation available for auditing - examining the company's health and safety management manual and records. Sound health and safety procedures need to be evident. Because of the less likelihood of a worker being injured, this means that conscientious employers receive either the 10% (primary level) or 15% (secondary level) or 20% (tertiary level) rebate on ACC premiums from ACC. The discount is in return for the company's ongoing commitment to health and safety principles and practices.
		For example:- Once the audit has been completed, the auditor provides a recommendation to ACC for the company to attain either primary, secondary or tertiary level status. Then the company receives a substantial premium rebate, that offsets their initial investment in health and safety. Please note, however, that if there is a fatality, or a spate of injuries at the workplace, the discount could be removed by ACC.
		4. FACILITATING HSNO APPLICATIONS TO ERMA
		Application forms require detailed documentation as part of the preparation for acceptance by ERMA -the Environmental Risk Management Authority under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 [HSNO]. For example:- Maori consultantion is accorded a high priority when making an "Application for Approval" to ERMA. Protection of the land, fishing areas, indigenous flora and fauna are always to be preserved. Observing protocol is very important. The ongoing relationship with Maori and the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi must not be adversely affected from the effects of any imported or locally manufactured hazardous substance. Please note that each application to ERMA will only be accepted by them on a qualified basis because of the complexity, detail, and issues involved. Therefore companies need to obtain the assistance of a trained HSNO advisor. This is because of the important requirement to meet a high standard in the application, completing the comprehensive detail to comply with all of the HSNO Act 1996 requirements, before hazardous substances can be accepted into New Zealand.
		PUBLIC INFORMATION AVAILABLE ____________________________ There is some general public information available about hazardous substances on the following sites that may be of interest to you:- www.ermanz.govt.nz - to access the HSNO register on hazardous substances and new organisms. www.hsno.govt.nz - to access the educational world of the hazardous substances and new organisms.

		Some helpful comments when selecting your provider
		Before any service is provided You should consider what services are proposed to be undertaken, taking into account any specific needs that you have already identified. In this regard, it is helpful if you write down what is the expected outcome from the proposed service. This becomes the working brief for the consultant. Then both you and the consultant share a clear aim and direction to proceed in order to achieve the required outcome.
		Ask colleagues A recommendation from someone that you know is helpful. "Word of mouth" is valuable and is usually a reliable source of information. Remember that every consultant has an area of expertise where their health and safety consultancy work excels. That work may cover either a broad or specialist area according to the particular direction you want the work to be taken.
		Before selection Peruse the proposal of service based on the written brief that you gave the consultant. Does the proposal provide the means to achieve your goals ? Arrange a brief meeting with the selected consultant. You will need to feel comfortable that the consultant has the skills and qualifications to provide you with the services that you are seeking. Satisfy yourself that the person is trustworthy and practises ethical principles. Dick Brown (Chairman and Chief Executive of EDS) www.eds.com has said that "Relationships are built on trust. Trust is built on performance." You will need to ensure that your health and safety needs are both met and will remain at a high priority at all times.
		After the service Development of a professional relationship becomes a positive asset in any business. Provide feedback to your consultant on how their services were able to meet your goals. Are there new areas that should be addressed as a result of the service ? Would your associates also benefit from the consultant's assistance ? On the other hand, if you were not satisfied, let your consultant know why - it could become a valuable lesson for both of you.

		A PLUS Health and Safety Limited Phone + 64 4 939 8655 Level 1, 11-13 Broderick Road, Johnsonville, Wellington, New Zealand email: a.plus@paradise.net.nz www.aplushasservices.co.nz