One of the prevailing misunderstandings in health and safety circles is the distinction between mental wellness (the opposite of mental illness) and simply feeling good. Many workplace mental wellness programs focus on short-term mood enhancement rather than fostering genuine psychological resilience or improving mental health. Key Differences Between Mental Wellness and Feeling Good Depth vs. … Read more
Workplace culture has a powerful influence on safety, yet it’s often misunderstood. The term “culture” is frequently used without a clear definition, and its impact on workplace behaviour—particularly safety—is rarely explored in depth. As a result, many safety professionals struggle to grasp how cultural dynamics shape daily decision-making. So, they do nothing. When it comes … Read more
The traditional Hierarchy of Controls (HoC) can be misleading for safety practitioners. Many find it challenging to implement higher-order controls, such as engineering solutions, and instead default to administrative measures. This often happens for several reasons: higher-level controls may not be obvious, the person managing risk mitigation may lack engineering expertise, or there is simply … Read more
In a recent major speech on growth strategies, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon pointed to overzealous health and safety regulations as a driver of costs and reduced productivity. He cited the overuse of traffic cones as an example—though he could have chosen many others. This is a worrying reality: safety management in New Zealand … Read more
Businesses have always been fixated on measurement. Management must keep the board—who are not involved in daily operations—informed about progress. One of the most straightforward indicators of success is financial performance, largely because money is quantifiable. However, many critical aspects, such as major project progress, are not as easily measured. Despite this, boards often seek … Read more
Training to Perform Their Jobs In a previous article, we explored the concept of staff involvement, emphasising that it extends beyond merely allowing Safety Representatives to voice concerns to management. True staff involvement means seamlessly integrating safety practices into daily work routines. This requires fostering a culture where the organisation provides a robust safety framework … Read more
As the new year begins, I reflect on a series of late-2024 articles challenging conventional safety management wisdom, a series I will continue in 2025. The initial posts started to explore some critical safety practices, and I will continue to offer fresh perspectives and practical advice on many more critical concepts. The first two topics … Read more
Legal Obligations for Worker Engagement It is a legal requirement in most jurisdictions to actively involve workers in health and safety. While employers have some flexibility in determining how to fulfil this duty, legislation and regulations often suggest appointing formally trained Safety Representatives and forming Safety Committees as primary methods. This approach, though understandable, raises … Read more
The Central Role of Risk Assessment Risk assessment stands as the cornerstone of any effective safety management system (SMS). It’s where everything starts and feeds into—or flows from. Think of it as a spider web with risk management at the centre; every element, from setting objectives and planning, incident management, and worker participation to safety … Read more
Each new blog will appear here when it has been published. The next topic will focus on the how to maximise training in the health and safety context Watch this space!