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Risk assessment for our lives
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As we go into Level 1 on Tuesday, we must commend the Governments assessment and response to the Covid risk and also the willingness of the whole community to buy into the program, despite the financial and emotional costs involved. The first lesson is that this success requires the combination of both factors. There is no point having a great plan if not everyone follows it, or having everyone follow a flawed approach. This point should not be lost on anyone in the H&S space. The broadest aim of any health and safety program is to completely disappear. This means that the program becomes intrinsic to the process, not separate from it. It becomes “normal” rather than an add-on. We should now consider what “new normal” is going to look like, and this will have impact way beyond our workplaces.
Last month I wrote about how the Covid-19 crisis has pushed Health and Safety to the forefront of people’s lives, and that this has also resulted in the incorporation of health and safety language into everyday conversation. This month I want to consider the concept of risk assessment. We can all assess the risk of working at heights or with asbestos, and know what mitigating steps to take. Can we apply the same process to other areas of our lives?
The risk of losing employment, losing a business, or reducing income are very real at the moment for everyone, perhaps even more so in the short term future. Thinking about mitigating steps, and developing a plan can certainly help us get through the financial pain. But what about the risks to our wellbeing, our relationships, and our communities? Thinking about how we can best look after ourselves and our wider communities needs to be given just as much or even more attention. I don’t know what a Task Analysis for “improving wellbeing at home” might look like, but it would be great to think that people are doing them.
Canterbury has been through some major events in the last 10 years, an each one has strengthened our sense of community and resilience. There are a myriad of organisations willing to help you with any specific situation, so please make use of them as part of your plan. A list of these organisations can be found in this newsletter. The Charter is committed to assisting our members in any way we can, and we are working on developing a series of events in the near future which will reflect the current environment. Look out for more information in the coming months. First up is “Weathering the Storm”, where a panel of guests will take us through their Covid responses to date, and try and predict the weather ahead.
Kia Kaha Canterbury.
Paul Duggan
General Manager
paulduggan@safetycharter.org.nz
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Today I write my last newsletter article after seven years involvement with the Canterbury Safety Charter. On reflection it’s not difficult to draw parallels to when the Canterbury Safety Charter was originally formed in early 2013 in the protracted aftermath of the Canterbury Earthquakes, to where we are now, in the midst of an international pandemic and a national economic rebuild. In 2013, our industry was finally gaining the required momentum to tackle a collective construction project of massive scale unseen in our country for many generations.
The rebuild of Christchurch and its regions after the Canterbury earthquakes would cause massive social upheaval and displacement of people and communities which would in turn have a profound effect on many people’s health and wellbeing.
The Charters task then was to galvanize all; in industry, government and unions to take a joint proactive approach to keep all people safe and healthy during the rebuild projects lifespan. Further to this task was the commitment to create a legacy of health and safety practice in Canterbury that would endure the rebuild projects lifespan and continue to benefit all in Canterbury and New Zealand workplaces.
Thankfully, this legacy is alive and active right now and has been highlighted by the positive action taken by the Charter management team and members since the government announced the Covid 19 lockdown in March.
Since that point, the Charter has sent out many relevant and constructive communications to its members and the wider business community of New Zealand. A standout here is the series of short videos that were produced and effectively released; once it was announced that the construction industry could prepare to resume work under defined operating restrictions.
Seven years on, the Charter true assets continue to be its people, whom we value highly. These people include our highly capable and committed Charter staff , our Charter working group members and our strategic partners. The passion, commitment and energy this group bring to the Charter is commendable and the Charters board and membership base thank them for this.
As we move forward and contribute to a new working environment and economic restart in Canterbury; I urge you all: our Charter members, our strategic partners; from government, industry and unions to consider the incredible value, safer working environments and good health provided to families in Canterbury for the past seven years. This success has not been possible by the efforts of just a few… this success has been made possible by the combined support and energy of you all.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank every person and organisation that has supported the Canterbury Safety Charter over the past seven years.
Signing off as Charter Chairperson
Rob Sloan |
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| Resources to help you get through |
| There are a myriad of organisations willing to help you get through. |
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| Sustainable Waste Solutions |
Smarter environmental solutions for managing onsite health and safety protocols and waste
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| Weathering the Storm Networking Event |
| Join the Charter and hear from leaser on how they have weathered the Covid-19 storm and which way the wind my blow in the future. |
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| Designing for the Greater Good PodCast series |
| Health & Safety by design developed by the Charter's Professional Services Working Group |
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| Safety Charter Covid-19 Video Series |
| Read how one Charter member is working to support better mental health for men. |
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| Covid-19 Working at alert Level 1 |
| New Zealand heads into Level 1 at 11.59pm on Monday, 8th June 2020. Find the standards and protocols applicable from Tuesday, 9 June 2020. |
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| Register NOW: Weathering the Storm: Order your ticket HERE |
| Time: Networking Event: from 5.30pm |
| Location: Metropolitan Lounge (upstairs) The Tannery, Woolston |
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