Welcome to our October Newsletter. In it, we bring a digest of safety and health information that is most likely to be of interest in developing and maintaining successful safety systems, with particular emphasis on ACC, audits, DoL rules and regulations, training and keeping abreast of current trends.
If you would like another person to have the opportunity to receive this, please forward it onto them so that they can subscribe. If you wish to unsubscribe, click here.
In this edition:
- Election
2005: Impacts on OHS
At the time of writing, it looks more likely there will be some sort of Labour led coalition. Labour will continue with social insurance through ACC. ACC will be given another 3 years to further develop their set of incentive schemes, which now include:- Partnership Programme: Partial self insurance for large employers
- WSMP scheme: Smaller discounts aimed at medium sized employers
- WSE scheme: Assistance (and potentially punitive) standard for employers with above average claims
- SEP scheme: Flat rate discount for small employers with safety training and ability
Want to know if you're in shape for a discount on your ACC levy? Call (09) 535 4355 or e-mail us.
If National somehow formed a government, they are set to bring back private accident insurance, apparently by April 2006. A prominent broking company executive recently said: "Insurance costs would come down initially, as insurers bought up the market, but eventually, it would cost more than ACC". Why? "Because we want more money and we'll take it". Refreshingly honest and rogue-like, don't you think?
Either way, safety, like environment, is here to stay and there will increasingly be rewards for employers who can show they have effective safety systems.
- "SafetyBase" the
paperless OHS management system
Imagine.....full participation in a safety management system by all personnel, regardless of location. Real time information at your fingertips just by clicking the Refresh button - wherever you are in the world. Securely hosted service with no IT or installation worries. A system that lets you set reminders and follow up actions, with personal Task List and e-mail reminders. Small employer version and ACC compliant versions available.
All this and much more. SafetyBase is now a reality. Ask us for a free demo.
- ACC
and DoL need to talk
A short while ago, we assisted an employer with an "OHS" requirement. They had been working with ACC under the WSE scheme.. This required them to set up particular systems to satisfy ACC they could reduce their risk. Before that process was over, in walked DoL (OSH) with a similar agenda and set of (justifiable) demands. Neither ACC nor DoL were aware of the other's involvement, however, the employer had to deal with two government agencies telling similar stories, but with different agendas.
There should be a bit more coordination between agencies to avoid this sort of double up. It doesn't send a good message to employers and at worst, it looks like squabbling.
-
Safety Humour
Thanks to all the folks who send pictures . Many of them are fascinating - even macabre - (call us, we can put you in touch with professional help). The only ones that make it to the site are those that give us a guilt-free belly laugh. We don't want to capitalise on the suffering of others. On the other hand, there is now an accumulation of material that falls into the category of "Jaw Dropper", so we have created a new page called WOW. Check it out.- New funny pics
- WOW pictures - Jaw Droppers - a new feature
- Send a safety humour story, anecdote, picture or videoThanks this edition to Tim Brenton-Rule, Dave Calvert, Caroline Lawrence, Gordon Nairn, and Gordon Anderson for their contributions.
- This
month's special feature - Hazard Management
The core generator of a safety system is hazard management: Identification, assessment and control. It may seem obvious, but that's the part we must do well, because, if we don't, we get superficial, wasteful systems.
In New Zealand, we are encouraged to create "Hazard Registers". In itself, this may achieve nothing whatsoever, except a warm glow of satisfaction. Do we hang it on the wall, hoping the world will change? Is it just there to pass inspection or audit?
There is some misunderstanding about what a Hazard Register is for and how to operate one effectively. So, what makes a poor Hazard Register and what makes a good one.? [ more ]
- What
can Systems For Business do for you?
• You want to implement a compliant safety system without huge fuss and cost.
• You need an audit or pre audit to ACC or 4801 standard. a
• Safety training for your personnel.
• A selection of paper based or electronic OHS management systems.
• Specific hazard or compliance advice.
 |
Smart Safety Software >> |