Health and Safety doesn’t happen by accident creating stress or safe systems?

Current Situation HSWA 2015 Health Safety Regulations Vulnerable Children’s Act Education Act Adventure Regulations Other legislation – ACC, HSNO, Transport, Fire and a few others In recent times a raft of new legislation has created a lot of uncertainty, a lot of stress and a lot of questions! Why has this legislation been passed? A number of high profile multiple fatalities, NZ poor safety record internationally and because it is the right thing to do Lots of compliance Schools are worried, Principals are worried – you are probably worried FINES – PERSONAL, ORGANISATIONAL – JAIL Nag 5 and Nag 2 BOT and Principals are making decision based on possible consequences

Changing a “culture” is a challenge We have done it this way for 20 years and never had an accident…… We already have a Health and Safety policy….we don’t have to do anything differently….. We fill in our RAMS forms……we’ll be fine….she’ll be right…. I will photocopy last years form and change the dates…. It is Ok, I have been signed off …….. August 8th 2012, just over 4 years ago Bryce, Philipe and Stephen were lost to the sea at Paritutu. We had been safety audited less than a month prior to the tragedy – this we did voluntarily before legislation requiring them, we had a positive safety culture, we cared about safety. We had solid systems, documentation and quality staff We had an event that is everyones worst nightmare 3 people died. We were convicted on 3 charges under H+S act

Health and Safety got you worried? Some organisations are becoming risk adverse – some schools are stopping activities, billeting, tournaments, camps or sports exchanges. Questions around Volunteers and safety checks? Worries about Personal liability? Do we still need to provide opportunities? Or course we do! No amount of paper work is going to stop something going wrong – there is always a human factor. Where people are involved something can go wrong but good planning and due diligence will mitigate that. We need to keep doing what we are doing but with a actively focus on health and safety. A need for our young people to be exposed to risk and new experienced as this is a valuable part of learning – but it must be managed risk.

So what is Safe? Safe does not always mean risk free – it means risks are managed to an acceptable level for the BOT, Principals, parents and participants. What are unsafe acts? They lead to unsafe conditions….. Effective planning is key, and effective planning for when things go wrong. Key question is the balance between risk and outcome Humans – wherever there is a decision things can result in the unexpected Plan for the unexpected and practice for the unexpected!

A shared approach to Health and Safety No one person is responsible for Health and Safety A shared approach builds ownership, ownership builds value – value leads to commitment - this leads to a positive safety culture. If you SEE something, SAY something!! If you SAY something DO something!! Legally the responsibility may lie with one person! It is not just about filling in forms – this does not gaurentee to make things safe – but it helps Everyone has to walk the talk – embed safe practices in everything you do. Will take time and the right attitude Don’t walk past something, take action…..

Share good practice and bad experiences Be open and honest, others can learn from you. What has TOPEC done to share key learnings and knowledge? Worked with Principals, Deputy Principals, individual Schools, and Teachers Fed forward to National Organisations to assist with training and guidelines Facilitated training opportunities for individuals and groups Established discussion groups – regular talk, sharing and discussion Met with parents, caregivers and students Your close calls can help others learn Who has all the answers ? WE DO……….there is safety in numbers. Sharing our stories , accidents, near misses - One of the scariest things perhaps? Concerned what other will think of us…….getting judged Need to get passed this because we need to keep everyone safe…. Don’t learn by accident!

The way forward – lift our game We need to change things up – this can be because we have to or because we want to. Why do we need to change things up? Some schools doing H+S really well, others just getting by Consistently higher standards across the education No one wants to be where those affected by Paritutu have been and continue to be Raising the H+S bar is the right thing to do and not just because legislation makes us do it! Be proactive and not reactive – fence at the top of the cliff not the ambulance at the bottom

Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent. Whatever your process, it has to be planned, user friendly, easily understood and systematic. Your system needs to be sufficient to do the job It needs to reflect what you actually do, not just some templates copied from the web – this gives credibility to your system. Has to meet a number of legislative and moral requirements – every one goes home unhurt Proficiency – does what it says on the box – allow the management of a safe activity, event or programme Sufficiency – not the bare minimum – all reasonable practicable steps Credibility – having words in a folder is no longer acceptable – needs to walk the talk – do what you say you are going to do

Continual improvement Familiarity leads to complacency – complacency leads to mistakes. Need to continually evaluate and seek to do things better. So what can you take away from this opportunity? We need to lead the change in our schools, our organisations - our regions. Know safety or NO safety Things have changed and so must our approach to safety Reflect, talk to others, investigate and record Be able to look yourself in the mirror Walk the talk

Thought for the day…..

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