HEALTH AND SAFETY
MODULE REVIEW (October 2009)
Each module is reviewed every 18 to 24 months to ensure that its content remains current. Each review starts with a legal review. If this identifies significant issues a team of practitioners and stakeholders is assembled to address these.
A review of this module has recently been started. At this stage we think it is likely that a review team will be needed. Any body interested in participating in the module review team please contact Don Mackay dmackay@solgm.org.nz
UPDATE (16 FEBRUARY 2009):
This version of the module was published in February 2009. The module was originally published in June 2004. Previous revisions were published in July 2005, and May 2008.
The most recent changes were to the format of material and are intended to make the module easier to use. The substantive content was not changed.
The changes made affect the format and layout of the analysis, hot Tips and Legal Compliance Tables. These are:
-
The analysis tables have been re-formatted & re-written
-
The “hot tips” section has been expanded and some material moved from the analysis table to the hot tips table;
-
“hot tips” are now numbered for easy reference;
-
The legal compliance tables have been re-formatted and there are now hyperlinks to the particular legislative provisions referred to have been
People who are currently holding hard copy of the previous version of the module can continue to use these or may choose to print new ones.
All suggestions for improvements, and all offers assistance with the review process gratefully accepted.
PDF Version of Module
A downloadable PDF version of the new version of the module can be downloaded from the foot of the Links and Pathways page of the module.
Other Material of Interest
LISTSERVS: If you interested in sharing information with other local authority staff about health and safety issues there is a listserv available through Local Government Online (www.localgovt.co.nz). You can subscribe to this list by sending an email to listserv@listserv.localgovt.co.nz with the words “subscribe HEALTH-SAFETY” in the message body.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT HEALTH AND SAFETY CONFERENCE: This is scheduled for 28-30 October 2009 at Taupo. For further information contact bfox@taupo.govt.nz or download flyer >>>>
ACC: there are a variety of useful resources available from the ACC website (www.acc.co.nz), in particular see material about WorkPlace Safety Evaluations at http://www.acc.co.nz/levies-and-cover/employers/making-your-workplace safer/WCMZ003337?ssSourceNodeId=4179&ssSourceSiteId=1494
DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR: A further range of resources is available at the Department of Labour’s Health and Safety Site at http://www.osh.dol.govt.nz/
SUGGESTIONS: If you know of other sources of information and guidance that are likely to be relevant to users of this module please let us know so we can add them to the list (dmackay@solgm.org.nz)
Contents of the Module
Local authorities have responsibility for health and safety under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and a variety of other Acts and regulations, including the Smoke Free Environments Act 1990, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1998, and the Accident Prevention Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001. Local authorities have obligations not just in relation to their staff but also where work on behalf of the local authority is undertaken by outside contractors.
This is an area where local authorities face a wide range of risks, not only in terms of the potential for failure to comply with a wide range of statutory requirements but also in terms of the financial cost of workplace accidents.
This module is designed to assist local authorities meet their legal obligation in relation to Health and Safety, but also to achieve good practice in these areas.
The topics addressed are:
-
Policy Development
-
Staff member/ officer involvement in process
-
Hazard Management
-
Induction and training
-
Emergency policies and procedures
-
Accident reporting
-
Rehabilitation
-
Contract Management - Pre contract Award
-
Contract Management - Post contract Award
-
Purchasing of Goods
-
Periodic Audit
-
Roles and Responsibilities
Passwords
Anyone who wishes to access this material but does not know their local authority’s password can contact dmackay@solgm.org.nz to get this.
Intranet Links
IN addition if you are having to use a password to access the module but would like a password-free link set up from their local authority’s intranet can get their IT people to contact dmackay@solgm.org.nz who can provide “the magic words” to be inserted into the link.
Tell Tour Colleagues
A brochure about the module that you will be able to print off and use to tell your colleagues about the module will be available here shortly.
Thanks to Contributors
Our thanks to the individuals and local authorities who contributed to the development and maintenance of this module. These have been:
The original development teams that developed and peer reviewed the module consisted of:
-
Jeff Haste - Hamilton CC
-
Martin Calder - Marlborough DC
-
Melissa Haskell - Christchurch CC
-
Paul Johnson - Hamilton CC
-
Anne Stevens - Tasman DC
-
Jo Gifford – Matamata Piako DC
-
Michele Angus - Hamilton CC
-
Ross Vesey - Environment Canterbury
-
Wayne Wilson - Palmerston North CC
-
Brian Lange - Wellington CC
-
Bruce Hodgins - Hutt CC
-
David John - Masterton DC
The team that undertook reviews of the module was:
-
Jeff Haste - Hamilton CC
-
Melissa Haskell - Christchurch CC
-
Anne Stevens - Tasman DC
-
Jo Gifford - Matamata Piako DC
-
Michele Angus - Hamilton CC
-
Johanna Drayton - Phillips Fox
The 2009 review was carried out in conjunction with Simpson Grierson |