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:
This month's Newsletter has a distinct "risk
management" theme, following developments in thinking
overseas. These could all have an impact on safety
in New Zealand.
- Should
we let Health and Safety rule our lives?
It was heartening to see no less an authority than Bill Callaghan, Chair of the United Kingdom's Health and Safety Commission (HSC), recently getting stuck into the political correctness surrounding health and safety. He launched some principles of "sensible risk management" in a discussion paper.
The principles are particularly refreshing and timely. Essentially, they state clearly and boldly that risk management is not about stifling innovation and creating fear and paperwork. It is about providing overall benefit to society by balanced risk decisions.
Click here to read about this statement and the principles of "Sensible Risk Management".
- On
that subject.
"Top Gear" aficionados will all be aware that Richard Hammond, ("Hamster") was seriously injured a short while ago while filming a stunt for the series. We hope the BBC took "All Practicable Steps", but even if they did, the Safety Vultures, who already had the show in their sights, are circling expectantly. If you believe the Sensible Few have the right to dictate the risks we take as individuals, please don't read our current SafetyBlog, just go and have a cup of Milo instead.
- And
talking about "All Practicable Steps".
Also in the UK, the Government may be forced by the European Court of Justice to amend the use of the term "so far as is reasonably practicable " in the Health and Safety at Work Act. The term is essentially the same meaning as our New Zealand HSE Act's "all practicable steps", which allows a defence when further safety measures would have been disproportionate to the risk. This is a worry if we want "sensible risk management". (See above).
A decision is expected in 2007. [ More detailed analysis ]
- Safety
Humour
Oh, yes, we have some more funnies. Send us some contributions. E-mail us.
Hey, you can contribute a SafetyBlog! Get on your grumpy hat and get typing! E-mail us.
- Liability
for labour hire employees
A recent interpretation by the Full Bench of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, regarding the relative liabilities of the employer may well be of interest to us in New Zealand.In a nutshell, the Bench determined that the liability lies not just with the company doing the hiring. The fact that the legal employer (labour hire company) is not able to supervise is the very reason why they have a positive obligation to ensure their employees are safe.
Detailed decision and guidelines click here >
Want to ask us more about this case? E-mail us.
- What
can Systems For Business do for you?
. SafetyBase: Safety management on the web: Your current option for an e-system
• You need mentoring while you develop your safety system? E-mail us.
. You need an audit or pre audit to ACC or 4801 standard. E-mail us.
. Safety training for your personnel.
. A selection of OHS management systems.
. Specific hazard or compliance advice. E-mail us.
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