The Government will reform New Zealand’s entire health system and scrap DHBs, but experts question whether these changes will properly address the issues in our healthcare industry More than eight decades of health reform have failed, and the current landscape of public and private healthcare interests is unstable, say New Zealand researchers Murray Horn and Des Gorman. Continue →

The death of a West Coast flooring company employee has drawn a strong warning from WorkSafe for businesses not to rely on the experience of workers in the absence of proper risk identification and management In March 2019 an employee of Coastwide Flooring Limited was installing carpet in a Greymouth building using a strong organic solvent-based adhesive. Continue →

New Zealand’s construction boom means contractors are busier than ever, but throw in the demands of tax time, and running a small business in the construction sector quickly becomes a juggling act, says Fergus job management software founder Dan Pollard While the end of the financial year can add to your workload, it is also an opportunity to get a detailed picture of your business and put healthy financial habits in place that will save you from repeating mistakes in the future. Continue →

Overcoming organizational barriers to change requires 1) observation to identify your organization’s safety culture, and 2) action to improve it. Continue →

With the rise of remote working, many Kiwis are using more electricity-dependent devices at home, often plugged into unattended multi-plugs, which can place a greater burden on switchboards and increase the risk of electrical fires There are approximately 5,000 building fires in New Zealand every year, with about 1,000 being electricity-oriented. Continue →

Involving staff in selecting their own personal protective equipment (PPE) has paid off for one Christchurch company, which had struggled to get workers to wear the correct gear Christchurch-based maker of the Woodsman brand of log fires, W.H Harris, sometimes had issues getting staff to wear the correct PPE, says Operations Manager Mark Streeter. Continue →

The Ministry for Primary Industries has been fined $30,000 for failing to ensure workers were not exposed to hazardous chemicals while managing an outbreak of Mycloplasma bovis In 2017 in efforts to manage an outbreak of Mycloplasma bovis, MPI contracted biosecurity company AsureQuality who in turn engaged OneStaff to provide temporary workers to assist with cleaning and disinfecting work. Continue →

This was a completely botched asbestos removal job which put workers at risk, says WorkSafe’s Principal Advisor Asbestos Rob Birse Glenn Warwick Sibley operated a business specialising in the repair and maintenance of buildings. Continue →

Two parties were fined a total of $63,000 after twice disregarding WorkSafe notices about unsafe work from a height, and putting workers at risk of serious harm The Judge also imposed a Project Order under section 155 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, which require both parties to prepare and present at least three safety seminars and produce an article outlining the incident and the lessons learned from it for publication in an industry magazine. Continue →

One-Design rule means all the challengers used Hydraulink products for the Foil Cant System Hydraulics helped provide the tools for this job – but the real tribute goes to the designers, crews and organisers who worked for years to make the new AC75 class the astounding spectacle it was, says Hydraulink Kiwi born director Lee Short. Continue →