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NZ tech firm selected to help support Pacific UN programme

A New Zealand firm's technology has been selected to help protect Pacific workers in a United Nations programme which also aims to prevent the extinction of hundreds of endangered species. Gisborne based tech company ThinkSafe has developed mobile technology to monitor the safety of thousands of workers in some of the world's most remote and inhospitable environments and has customised their application to support the UN programme. Andrew Burns, managing director of ThinkSafe, said the environme...

Safety Tips for Returning to Work After Summer

The summer break may almost be over, or over for some, but here are some important things that you need to consider when your employees are returning to work! The break over the holidays is a nice way for everyone to recharge and refresh before coming back to work to start the new year. It’s also the perfect time to ensure that your team or employees are up to date with your WHS policies and procedures. While everyone is refreshed after a break, the first day is usually slow, so why not use th...

Covid-19 Protection Framework

As New Zealand looks toward the future, the government has put in place its COVID-19 Framework or traffic lights to protect New Zealanders and to provide fully vaccinated people with more freedoms. As the world, including New Zealand, look to open up again and manage COVID-19, the government is looking to accomplish reopening in the safest and most controlled way possible.  The COVID-19 Framework is designed with three settings, Green, Orange, and Red. It’s designed to minimize the impact...

What Is the Hierarchy of Controls?

There are many different ways that businesses control hazards and risks in the workplace, but did you know that there is an established way to effectively manage risks that thousands of businesses use across New Zealand? The hierarchy of control is an established, effective, and proven way to manage risks in your workplace. It’s a step-by-step approach to eliminating or reducing the risks in your workplace while ranking controls from the best level of protection and reliability down to th...

Safe Systems of Work

A tragic workplace fatality in the Bay of Plenty serves as a reminder for businesses that effective standard operating systems in workplaces are key to making sure employees stay healthy and safe at work.These systems must be documented, implemented, communicated, and monitored to ensure they are effective, says WorkSafe New Zealand.The Sawmill had an inadequate communication system when workers were loading/unloading the kilns, relying on employees to use their mobile phones and hand signals. S...

Maintaining Plant, Equipment and Machinery

Most accidents are preventable. ThinkSafe’s Incident support team are often involved in the incident investigation process after serious harm has occurred. The reactive nature of many New Zealand businesses means they rely on learning after the incident has occurred. Hindsight is a wonderful, powerful, and necessary tool, unfortunately, hindsight cannot repair the victim, hindsight cannot take away the trauma and hindsight cannot relieve the suffering. When you get hurt, who else gets harmed? ...

APP Review

Another exciting tool in the ThinkSafe APP suite is the ThinkSafe Water Assessment APP. This APP has been developed as a focused water risk assessment to be completed on the day the activity is taking place. The APP would be ideal for Schools, Surf coaches, Kayak tours etc. The Water Assessment APP would be useful for any activity where you are required, as part of your work to manage water risk.  1. The APP begins with a GPS function which will place you on the map anywhere in the wor...

The Home Office

So, were all back at home again and trying to establish a working routine. This can be a difficult task with partners, children, pets all trying to distract your happy space, and, in some cases, insufficient home office set-ups are downright dangerous for your lower back, neck and wrists. Below are some tips to help fend off procrastination and low productivity.Follow a structured daily routine: Follow your normal morning routine and “arrive” to work on time. It’s important to take yo...

Why Plan for Safety

Why is planning a daily safe system of work important?  It helps us to identify our goals and focus discussion on what we need to do today to get the job done efficiently and safely. It also makes sure that everyone involved understands the goal, and what we need to do to reach it. By involving everyone in the planning process both work goals and safety goals can be achieved more effectively. By following planned guidelines, we keep all employees healthy and protect their well-being. They c...

So, Whats unique about ThinkSafe? Part 2

Have you ever wondered what doesn’t get reported?  Are you looking for a way to bring your safety system into one, easy to manage place where all staff are able to turn the safety cog from their smartphones?Many businesses rely on dated reporting systems that are too confusing and cluttered using a variety of paper-based forms. If staff find it difficult to report, chances are your not getting the intel you desperately need to resource, and manage the risk you own. The data coll...

So, What's unique about ThinkSafe? Part 1

Here at ThinkSafe we like to be seen as your safety partner. ThinkSafe can operate as a complete, stand-alone safety solution or alongside established and existing systems.  So how can ThinkSafe membership add true value to your business? 1. The Managed service. All ThinkSafe clients receive scheduled and regular check ins throughout the year. As your people, risk profile and legislation change we are nearby to offer high level support and quality gold standard safety solutions. 2. Occupati...

ThinkSafe Incident Support

ThinkSafe’s Incident Support Team supported a Premium client through a notifiable injury last month.  A worker in charge of operating a waste shredder at a recycling plant had part of his middle finger removed when he was attempting to clear a blockage. The machine was not turned off, the guard was then removed by the worker who released the blockage only to have a piece of chain, hidden inside a protruding plastic tube contact his hand. Strong leather work gloves provided no barrier for ...

Safety Around Dogs

Any workplace activities that bring you into contact with private residence or business premises can place you in a vulnerable position with dogs.  Real-Estate Agents, Property Managers, and Tradespeople are a few examples of vocations that sit high on the dog attack, risk list.  According to the latest ACC reports, property and business services are the third-highest industry for dog bites in New Zealand.  All ThinkSafe members have access to up-to-date and completed Risk Assessm...

Maintaining and Testing Emergency Procedures

A well maintained emergency plan should be reviewed and updated when… When there are changes to work activities or the physical workplaceIf the workers who have emergency responsibilities change If new risks have been identified.  Emergency plans should be tested at least yearly. Testing can be as simple as thinking of a likely scenario (e.g. fire, tsunami, robbery or earthquake) and working it through the plan, or staging a mock emergency such as a fire drill, to test how ...

Working with Disaster Part 3

What to consider when making an emergency plan. When working out your emergency plan, you must take into account: The size and location of the workplace The number of workers The nature of the work being carried out and the workplace hazards The types of emergency situations your workplace may face. For example, fire or a gas leak, electricity or water outage, natural disasters, and robberies. Emergency plans should be tailored to the type of work and workplace. If the work is low risk, emerge...

Working With Disaster - Part 2

What to include in an emergency plan Emergency procedures to ensure an effective response to an emergency. To decide what emergency to prepare for always consider the scope and nature of your business's undertakings. For example, working in New Zealand would definitely require consideration for major earthquakes. Consider also the size and location of your organisation. Make sure to include evacuation procedures and procedures for notifying emergency services at the earliest opportunity. Medica...

Working With Disaster - Part 1

New Zealand's very design is the result of millions of years of plate boundaries being forced together. New Zealanders live with over 4000 magnitude three or above earthquakes per year. Compare this with Australia who record about 100 earthquakes over magnitude three per year. New Zealand is subject to constant tectonic pressure as the Pacific tectonic plate subducts (or dives underneath) the Australian tectonic plate. Given this, there is a very good chance a natural disaster may occur while yo...

ThinkSafe’s top three tips for a safe start to 2021

New year, new health and safety? Not quite but H&S might seem new to your team after they’ve spent a couple weeks soaking up the end of year break - and who can blame them... While we all might be physically at work, it’s normal to still be on holiday mentally, which is when H&S can slip by the wayside and mistakes can happen. That’s why the start of the year is a great opportunity to take stock of your H&S. To get you started, check out ThinkSafe’s top three tips for a safe start to 202...

ThinkSafe at Safetree Connect for Success

ThinkSafe Managing Director Andrew Burns, talks Safetree Connect for Success Conference... It’s been a week or so since ThinkSafe attended the Safetree Connect for Success Conference, supporting our forestry sector and the wellbeing of foresters. Connect for Success was put on by the Forestry Industry Contractors Association, Forestry Industry Safety Council and Safetree NZ. It was based on the fact that more than just best safety practices, successful workplaces are also influenced by th...