WorkSafe is seeking feedback on new health and safety guidelines for PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking) that aim to describe, in plain language, the psychosocial risks at work and what mentally healthy work is The audience for the guidelines is PCBUs, who are required to provide and maintain a work environment that is without risks to safety and health, so far as is reasonably practicable. Continue →

Home-based work has many benefits but also some unique challenges – Porch’s Denisse Garcia explores what you can do to combat those challenges, and find work-life balance The term “burnout” has been thrown around workplaces for years, but what does it actually mean? Continue →

Safety-conscious organisations from New Zealand and Australia have been recognised for working hard to reduce incidents involving at-work drivers and vehicles during the ninth annual Australasian Fleet Champions Awards The awards, run by Brake, the road safety charity and supported by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, acknowledge companies and individuals who have implemented successful initiatives, products or services to tackle fleet safety. Continue →

The importance of correct bearing installation is paramount in industrial machinery, particularly where it is subject to arduous and continuous use in demanding industries, says John Bucknell, Founder and Chief Executive of hydraulic tensioning specialist Technofast Food, beverage, primary processing, timber, sugar, mining, energy, and oil and gas – these are all industries which cannot afford the downtime caused by 16 per cent of all bearing failures, which specifiers attribute to incorrect installation. Continue →

A pioneer of coworking in Australia says “stress-free desks” are needed in workplaces as employee conflict escalates We are seeing an increase in loud-quitting and workplace conflict because people are stressed and struggling to re-adjust to office life and working around so many people in a confined space, @WORKSPACES Chief Executive Jenny Folley says. Continue →

There are concerns working people will bear the brunt of WorkSafe’s proposal for a deep and wide restructuring, taking New Zealand back to the days before the Pike River Mine tragedy A Government-commissioned review has found that while WorkSafe is performing its core regulatory functions, work is needed to achieve a sustainable funding model and clarity about the outcomes WorkSafe is delivering to New Zealanders. Continue →

Most organisations are falling behind with their talent health initiatives and need to invest in developing their people’s skills, a global study finds The report, led by the Cornerstone People Research Lab, provides a comprehensive view of the state of talent programmes across organisations worldwide. Continue →

A 2023 KiwiNet Research Commercialisation Awards finalist has come up with an innovative new technology that can spot road problems before they happen TDRI – Lincoln Agritech is on a mission to extend pavement life and reduce roading costs globally. Continue →

A study of psychosocial hazards in New Zealand construction businesses has revealed that workers are being abused and threatened, while health and safety leaders face huge challenges The study collected over 30,000 data points from construction businesses around the country and was led by Dr Steve Cantwell of safety software company SaferMe. Continue →

New Zealand is trailing seriously behind other countries in mitigating work-related harm, a problem costing the country $4.4 billion a year, a new report reveals The State of a Thriving Nation report pulls together a range of economic and qualitative data to better understand this country’s health, safety and wellbeing performance. Continue →

In the last election, more than 200,000 New Zealanders’ votes did not count toward the final result – an independent review is expected to call for changes which will give more people a voice in parliament The discussion and debate of different views are a healthy part of democracy, so when some views are not represented in parliament, this can give rise to unrest and division. Continue →

Two reports have been released detailing to what extent New Zealand’s Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme preserved employment and supported businesses during the pandemic Funded by the Ministry of Social Development, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Trust found that the program was good value for money, helping workers and small business owners more than if there had been no support at all. Continue →

The Accredited Employer Programme (AEP) can be appealing and cost-effective for large employers seeking to lower costs and self-manage injury claims within their workforce, Gallagher Bassett Chief Client Officer Steven Walsh says Facilitated by the Accident Compensation Corporate (ACC), this scheme allows large organisations to take control of their ACC levies, actively manage their Health and Safety environment and the total cost of when employees injure themselves at work, often resulting in better outcomes for their injured employees. Continue →

Safety technology can tackle cognitive and confirmation biases, uncovering often overlooked workplace risks and foster a proactive approach to ensuring a safer work environment, writes Soter Analytics APAC Account Manager Ashleigh Hourigan Cognitive bias, specifically confirmation bias, can severely impact workplace safety by leading organizations to focus on the wrong areas of risk. Continue →

A two-tier regime is being designed that will require anyone providing professional engineering services to be registered to ensure a base level of professionalism Cabinet has agreed to proposals to improve the occupational regulation of engineers. Continue →

Companies will often say that safety is their top priority, but priorities are on a list and lists can change, so perhaps it is time to look at safety differently Think about other company priorities you may have – efficiency, speed, revenue, profit – these are important. Continue →

Your staff will notice how you support them through this period and SJS says you want them to notice for all the right reasons, not the wrong ones Recessions pose challenges for both businesses and employees. Continue →

Civil Contractors New Zealand is seeking input from construction professionals on industry issues, workforce and technology in its annual Construction Industry Survey Now in its seventh year, this joint research project with Teletrac Navman aims to provide actionable insights to assist construction companies in overcoming challenges and capitalising on opportunities. Continue →

When it comes to travel, many LGBTQ+ workers are burdened with the responsibility of researching the legal system and cultural attitudes of their destination, World Travel Protection Security and Intelligence Lead Paul Trotter says A global survey of business travellers has uncovered the vital need for employers to make travel safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ staff members. Continue →

A 39-story construction project that “stacked” two hotels one above the other with a “foundation in the sky” halfway up has been recognised for the innovative ways it looked after workers on a challenging site Australasian construction company ICON won Site Safe’s Safety Innovation Award for its work on Auckland’s Voco-Holiday Inn Express hotel, which opened on Wyndham St last year. Continue →