The following was originally written as a newsletter article for ETNZ.
So, if you’ve spend your summer reading the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and have been left with that gnawing “this-is-so-good-I-just-don’t-want-it-to-end” feeling, have I got good news for you!
Followspot ballyhoo on audience GO! Smoke machine GO! House curtain GO! Pyros GO!….
Announcing the release of the much-anticipated sequel “Health and Safety at Work – Return of the Isolate”!! … More commonly referred to as the “Health and Safety at Work (General risk and workplace management) Regulations 2016. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2016/0013/latest/DLM6727388.html
For those of you who prefer to wait for the movie or are currently snowed under with the arts festival and summer outdoor gig season, I will be working my way through this gripping read in the next wee while and will endeavour to condense the highlights for up-coming ETNZ newsletters.
As a teaser, here are some trailer highlights…
- In the Health and Safety at Work Act it appears that “isolating hazards” in the workplace has died leaving “eliminate, then minimise” to hold the fort. However in the regulations you will see that “isolation” faked their own death in the Act and has joined forces with minimise to create a super three level “hierarchy of control” (I will definitely cover this in a newsletter soon).
- Falling objects, working under a raised object, hazardous substances, young people at work, emergency planning and first aid provision are singled out, along with a bunch of other “particular risks”, for special attention…. and special fines and penalties.
- Duties around supervision, training and instruction of workers make a debut.
In the meantime, as we continue to be working under the old act, keep it safe over this busy season. Be aware that fatigue is a major factor in accidents and incidents. Remember that international artists and crew speak a different version of English to Kiwis so make sure your safety communication is really clear. And have fun! That’s why we all do it isn’t it?!
Cathy Knowsley – HiViz Event Management www.hivizevents.co.nz (and ETNZ committee member).
