I’ve been going to the same dentist in Newmarket for more than 30 years, which is a doubly scary thought: it’s a hell of a long time for both of us, and besides, contemplating dentistry is by definition just a little bit frightening.

It was, remarked someone, undoubtedly the safest room in New Zealand.

Tom McDaniel, global manager zero harm and human performance at Siemens Energy, reckons it’s his job to make businesses successful and managers uncomfortable. JACKIE BROWN-HAYSOM met him in Auckland recently.

JAMES FLETCHER urges business leaders to get involved in committing to – and learning about – health and safety, for everyone’s benefit.

Farm safety is just a matter of common sense, right? Wrong, says FRANCOIS BARTON, who says the regulator’s new programme will introduce a risk management approach to the sector.

ROSS WILSON pays tribute to the father of the ACC scheme, who died in April.

You can’t see sound, but you can see a label. WARWICK WILLIAMS describes a simple approach to raising awareness of noise exposure as a health hazard.

Does the publication of a guideline on workplace bullying flag possible prosecutions under health and safety legislation? ELLA TAIT and GREG CAIN think it does.

GORDON MacDONALD says the regulator has come a long way in a short time, and challenges all of us to come along for the ride.

How do you get the really important questions on the table and engage people in dealing with them? JOHN LAURENT explains how to tackle those 600lb gorillas.

Jo Prigmore SQTE MANAGER, FULTON HOGAN, MARLBOROUGH

The evidence suggests a focus on improving employee wellness has the effect of also reducing injuries – both at work and at home.

DAVID BEAUMONT calls for people working in the healthcare sector to follow Dame Carol Black and be advocates for the relationship between work and health.

MEGAN McKENNA reckons she has almost shrugged off her risk-taking past as a professional racing cyclist. Almost.