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What is working well and should be continued or expanded?
Action area: Leadership
- Recognising excellence in health and safety, and awarding and rewarding industry through awards, such as the annual Safeguard awards, is making an impact.
- Increased media coverage was noted by many attendees. Initiatives such as the Special Investigators reality TV series are improving the profile of occupational health and safety.
- The value of regular networking events for those working in health and safety was highlighted and encouraged.
- Businesses working to support others to improve their health and safety performance (through formal or informal mentoring relationships) were seen as positive.
Action area: Capability
- Many attendees felt that existing health and safety representative training is working well and should continue to be funded. There is a need for a national register of trained health and safety representatives.
- Some workplaces have effective health and safety committees.
- Areas of possible expansion could be training for supervisors and managers, and more health and safety induction training.
- Good industry specific initiatives such as SiteSafe should be encouraged.
- Several attendees noted that Passport to Safety is a valuable training resource to up-skill students in health and safety as they prepare to enter the workforce. Others noted that some trade/industry apprentices are getting a good grounding in health and safety in their training.
Action area: Knowledge
- Better understanding of prevention and recovery is needed.
- Attendees observed an increased emphasis on work/life balance, and individuals taking responsibility for their own wellness/safety. Some attendees felt there needed to be a stronger focus on health.
- The NOHSAC reports have provided a valuable knowledge base – but the findings and recommendations need more take-up.
Action area: Health and Safety infrastructure
- Many referred to the value of ACC incentive programmes – encouraging wider coverage. Many supported Workplace Safety Management Practices (WSMP), recognising the need for audit standards, while others felt WSMP is too much a tick-box process and that we need to move towards more industry-driven standards.
- Ongoing reviews of publications and Approved Codes of Practice are crucial to ensure that information remains relevant.
- Many felt they wanted better relationships with health and safety inspectors – and more workplace visits.
- A number of attendees felt the performance-based structure of the Health Safety and Employment Act is helpful in ensuring that minimum requirements are met.
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