Forest crew wins top prize for workplace safety initiative.
A number of initiatives by a ten-member forestry crew aimed at reducing the death toll for fallers has been named the Air New Zealand Best Overall Contribution to Improving Workplace Health and Safety in the New Zealand Workplace Health & Safety Awards 2007.
The awards, organised by health and safety magazine Safeguard and supported by the Department of Labour, were presented at a gala dinner attended by Minister of Labour Ruth Dyson at Auckland’s SkyCity Convention Centre, on Tuesday May 1.
The big winner was Tokoroa-based cable logging crew, Ribbonwood Yarding Systems, which developed a radio check-in system so other crew members would quickly become aware if a faller was in trouble, a log book to record any physical, technical and emotional issues facing fallers, and a safety DVD demonstrating how emotional strain can put them at risk.
Safeguard editor Jackie Brown-Haysom, who was a member of the judging panel, says Ribbonwood’s entry was an excellent example of frontline workers taking the initiative, not only to deal with their own safety issues, but also to produce a resource for the industry as a whole.
“The crew identified a need and developed a solution that others in their industry will relate to,” she says. “The forest environment is unforgiving and, over the years, a number of highly skilled fallers have paid the price for having an off-day.
“The Ribbonwood DVD and log book both recognise the importance of emotional wellbeing in safety critical situations - a message that could be hard to convey to some forest workers – but because this is coming from the guys themselves, we believe it will be much more widely accepted.”
The Ribbonwood initiatives also won the Air New Zealand Best Initiative to Promote or Communicate an Improved Safety Culture category.
Auckland glass recycling company O-I New Zealand also had a successful night, being named winner in three other categories - Department of Labour Best Productivity Gain from a Health and Safety Initiative, OfficeMax Best Initiative to Improve Employee Wellness, and Safeguard Health and Safety Practitioner of the Year.
The full list of category winners follows:
Department of Labour Best Productivity Gain from a Health and Safety Initiative
O-I New Zealand, Auckland
The company brainstormed with staff to come up with a safe way to remove flue dust from its furnaces. The job had previously been done by workers using long rakes, but the development of a remote-controlled mechanical scraper has meant cleaning can be done more frequently, without risk. Furnace efficiency and productivity has improved as a result.
EBOS/Ansell Best Initiative to Address an Occupational Health Hazard
EnviroWaste Services Ltd, Auckland
The company has introduced a comprehensive programme to reduce dust exposure at its refuse transfer stations. International research has shown that such dust often contains harmful bacteria and fungal spores, putting staff at risk of pulmonary and gastrointestinal disorders.
OfficeMax Best Initiative to Improve Employee Wellness
O-I New Zealand, Auckland
The company introduced a medical warrant of fitness programme for its staff, providing all participants with both a full medical assessment and a personalised exercise programme, suited to their individual needs.
Air New Zealand Best System to Encourage Employee Participation in Health and Safety
Palmerston North City Council
The council has given its employee health and safety representatives increased decision-making powers and encouraged them to take leadership roles in their work areas. As a result, staff have become more aware of health and safety requirements and are taking more personal responsibility for keeping their workplaces safe.
SICK Best Design or Technology Initiative
Collins Corporation Ltd, Napier
The company’s Safetor Roof Anchors can be fitted to standard 4x2 trusses, providing more options for workers needing to use safety harnesses when working at height.
New Zealand Safety Best Health and Safety Initiative by a Small Business
Karl Boniface Plumbing Ltd, Invercargill
When one of its 16 employees was splashed in the eye with a chemical used to prepare PVC pipes for gluing, the company investigated and found problems with the applicator supplied by the chemical manufacturer. It tested a variety of other applicators and reported its findings back to both the chemical supplier and manufacturer. As a result, the applicator was changed to the style recommended by the company.
ACC ThinkSafe Best Leadership of an Industry Sector or Region
Manukau City Council, Auckland
Contractors and consultants who wish to work on council projects must become approved partners in health and safety, demonstrating adherence to a number of established standards. The council has developed a range of tools to help its contractors manage health and safety on site and to boost OHS compliance at a company level.
Air New Zealand Best Initiative to Promote or Communicate an Improved Safety Culture
Ribbonwood Yarding Systems, Tokoroa
See above.
Safeguard Health and Safety Practitioner of the Year
Fran O’Keefe, safety, occupational health and training manager, O-I New Zealand, Auckland
Fran oversees a workplace with a wide range of significant hazards. The company’s earlier successes (Best Productivity Gain From A Health And Safety Initiative, and Best Initiative To Improve Employee Wellness) are an indication of the breadth of her involvement, and the high standards the company has managed to achieve under her leadership. She has a high profile in the company and gives her role a human face by taking a personal interest in the safety and health of all its staff.
NZCTU Most Influential Employee
Ricky Dunstan, plant operator, union delegate and OHS rep, NZ Steel Hollow Section, Waiuku
Ricky has a reputation for not giving up on health and safety issues when they come to his attention, but he has earned the respect of his bosses for working alongside them to find solutions that are acceptable to all parties. He has been instrumental in getting a comprehensive ventilation system installed in his plant, has worked with management to improve the protective equipment used on site, and has also brought about improvements to the plant’s drinking water supply after conducting his own investigations in this area.
Judges’ commendations were also made to:
- Bay of Plenty District Health Board, a finalist in the SICK Best Design or Technology Initiative category, for an initiative in which a team of public health nurses worked with an engineer to develop a carrier that allows sharps containers to be safely transported by car.
- Otago University Students Association Inc, a finalist in the ACC ThinkSafe Best Leadership of an Industry Sector or Region, for working hard to promote a good health and safety culture among its workers, many of whom are students in part-time or voluntary positions.
Note: Safeguard is published by Brookers Ltd.
For more information please contact:
Jackie Brown-Haysom
Editor, Safeguard.
Ph: 09 360 3723 / 021 294 0063
Jackie.brownhaysom@thomson.com
|
