News – Canterbury Safety Charter – Raising Safety Standards

8 July 2021 | Newsletters

July Newsletter

In this Issue

Man verses Machine
Meet newly elected Board Members
Working Group Member profiles
LinkedUP Mentoring Event
Changing Organisational Culture review
Membership Levies

Charter Update July 2021


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June 2021 Update

Man verses Machine

Being human is the best and worst thing about health and safety. Being human means having the ability to learn, assess, adapt and make decisions based on both rational and emotional drivers. However, this same capability can also get us into trouble, for example, when work as planned can differ markedly from work as done.

The rise of Artificial Intelligence gets a fair bit of media from time to time, with the idea that in the near future activities like driving a car or flying a plane or even building a house will be taken over by computers and smart machines. But will a machine digger driver be any “safer” than human operator?

If you want reliability and efficiency, then a machine is the way to go. A machine can be programmed to do a task with 100% reliability and no need for coffee breaks. However, if what your task requires is adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to change in the light of variability in environmental, social, and any other conditions, then you need a human. But, because of this adaptability, humans will never be 100% reliable 100% of the time.

The question health and Safety people should be asking themselves is this. Are my health and safety procedures designed for humans or machines? Do they require 100% compliance 100% of the time for workers to be safe? Or do they include fail-safe mechanisms to account for human variability. And when things go wrong are the questions that are asked concerned with “who failed” or with “what failed”?

These thoughts were prompted by an event I witnessed last week. This was the Master Builders Apprentice of the Year contestants competing in the practical challenge. In this event they were given a small pack of wood, a set of plans, and a time limit, to construct a bookcase/shoe rack with mitred joins, 2 sets of off-set shelves, and no margin for error in cutting the wood.

The contestants had to bring their own tools, and before getting the challenge each one laid these down methodically in their assigned area. There were drills and drivers, skill-saws and clamps, spirit levels and T-Squares, drill bits and screws all waiting to be called into duty.

The bell rang, the contestants were given their plans, and then silence. For the next 20 minutes or so not a single saw blade touched a piece of wood or a hammer hit a nail. It occurred to me that all the tools the contestants had laid in front of them were completely redundant without the use of the most significant tool in their belt, their ability to think. The contestants who put more time upfront in the planning had a much easier time in the construction phase. I cannot imagine any machine able to complete the task that the apprentices were required to.

This is what separates us from the machines, and what we need to harness to improve health and safety outcomes. More thought, more engagement, and more recognition of the human condition.

I have been awaiting the arrival of the flying car for over 40 years now, as promised by a cartoon TV show called “The Jetson’s”. I am sure that when it eventually arrives it will be piloted by a computer, but I will still be wearing a parachute.

Paul Duggan, General Manager

newly elected Board Members

Liam Nolan

Born in the North-West of England, now married and a proud Dad to girls of 15 and 12. We arrived in New Zealand 2003 and have enjoyed living in Auckland, Hawkes’ Bay and now the beautiful garden city of Christchurch since 2012. We can usually be found in Hagley Park either exercising the dog or on the golf course.

Starting out as a quantity surveyor, moving into delivering projects, I was drawn to business; in particular start-ups, enjoying the formulation and growth of new ventures. Volunteering with Business Mentors NZ has provided opportunities to assist some great people. Continual personal growth keeps me energised, I am enjoying studying digital marketing with NZIE.

I enjoy sport, watching my girls play tennis, korfball and football, supporting Liverpool FC and Formula 1 motor racing. Hiking, skiing and recently sailing are a few of my favourite pursuits along with travelling. Covid has temporarily halted my annual crossing to Melbourne for the Australian GP but it hasn’t stopped our regular visits to enjoy Queenstown, having some fun with the kids, a spot of hiking on the Routeburn and topping the day off with a lakefront Guinness.

Robert Stewart

I’ve been with Hirepool for the past 8 years and am currently the Regional Manager for the Southern Region. Prior to that, I held the position of General Manager – Health and Safety. I have had a number of safety roles at various levels, initially in the petrochemical industry but for the latter part of my career, I have mostly been involved with the civil construction sector and associated services. During my time in these roles, I have completed a Master’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety as well as an MBA.

I have been involved in a number of industry associations and am currently serving on the CCNZ Canterbury & Westland Committee. I have also previously served on the board of the Hire Industry Association of New Zealand (HIANZ) and I am a chartered member of the Institute of Directors.

As relatively new Cantabrians, I enjoy getting out and about with my wife and two girls and seeing all the region has to offer. I’m also a keen amateur photographer, and getting around the South Island gives me some good opportunity to get my camera out.

Meet our Working Group Members

This section is a new feature where we will introduce you to members of the Health & Safety Leadership Group and Professional Services Working Group Members.

If you would like information on either of these groups please contact the Charter Administrator.

Health & Safety Leadership Group

Nicki Tasker

For the past four years I have been the Finance / H&S Manager for Whole Home Solutions Ltd T/A HRV Canterbury. In addition to Christchurch, I oversee the H&S for our Nelson and Dunedin branches. Prior to this, I spent almost 15 years working in the car industry, in Finance and Administration. My role is filled with variety, which I love. Regarding H&S, my role includes H&S induction for new staff, drug and alcohol testing, record and investigate any H&S Incidents, arrange auditing, run monthly Toolbox meetings, update and implement policies and H&S reporting.

One of my personal core values is health and well-being, I have a real passion for H&S including helping others. I enjoy being involved with the Charter H&S Leadership Group for the professional development I gain and the value it adds to the organisation I work for.

Interests include meditation, my dog, walking in nature , travelling (when permitted!) and seeking fun and adventure.

Professional Services Working Group

Gerry Sullivan

Gerry is Christchurch raised from a family of Engineers and Architects. Despite this he spent a decade in the teaching profession before heading into the construction sector. He has spent 10 years at Apollo Projects as H&S manager, and now as the operations manager.

Gerry has led Safety by Deign workshops since 2013 and believes if a risk matrix needs to be applied to a design issue, we are doing something wrong.

Gerry believes Health and Safety by Design is an easy process. It is about stopping and thinking about the building, how it will be constructed and how the users will interact with the it.

At Apollo we focus on identifying potential risks and then applying an action. We work closely with our clients, consultants, the end user, and contractors to work out the safest way to build and operate our buildings. If we make it easy, people engage with the process.

As main contractors we focus closely on the constructability and try and work safety into the design. The easier it is to construct, the safer and more efficient the building process is – which ultimately reduces time and costs.

MENTORING EVENT

The Safety Charter Leadership Group warmly invites all

Health & Safety Representatives
Advisors
Managers

to a networking event focussed on mentoring.

Hear stories from mentors and mentees, do a speed dating round to meet potential mentoring match-ups, and connect with a range of like-minded people

Light Refreshments will be served.

For more information and registrations

Dr David Williams – Knowledge Management Specialist

Review of Changing Organisational Culture session

David shared with members the five different types of culture, including the Five Elements that make up a culture and how these differ from one type of culture to another. Sharing stories of cultural change within the Dairy Construction sector, David described how the ‘Elements of Culture’ can be leveraged to drive culture change.

David explained how with each type of culture people The can adapt their professional praxis to suit their environment, and thus influence organisational change.

If you would like to connect with David, please contact the Charter Administrator.

Notice to Members

Membership Levies Due Now

Membership Levy Invoices have been sent to all members.

Despite a challenging economic environment, we have managed to retain the current rates for the majority of our members. However, we have had to initiate a $100 membership fee for organisations less than 10 staff, and increased the fee for 10-19 staff from $100 to $150. This is the first time that the Charter has had to increase its fees since its inception.

We understand that this may present a barrier to membership, but we still feel that this investment represents good value for our members, and it removes the inequality of some members effectively subsidising the membership of others. (prices quoted exclude GST)

If you have any questions regarding your levy invoice please contact Jocelyn on [email protected]