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Safeguards annual awards showcase culture of safety benefits

Judging the entries in this years Safeguard awards was a challenging, yet exciting task for ACC’s Ceri Davies. Ceri believes that workplace health and safety is - and should be an integral part of good management practice.

"A company that has good health and safety systems will enjoy benefits in many different ways- not only in reduced injuries but also in good company culture and improved bottom line."

The awards, organised by health and safety magazine Safeguard, are in their fourth year. Safeguards catchphrase is "Leading New Zealand to Better Health and Safety Performance" and the awards showcase the talent, knowledge, and innovation that lead the way to safer New Zealand workplaces.

This year, the Air New Zealand award for Best Overall Contribution to Improving Workplace Health and Safety was won by Paewai Mullins Shearing, a family-owned fourth generation shearing business based in Dannevirke.

It was the culture of the business that caught the imagination of the judges and set it apart from the others. Although culture cannot be easily measure quantitively, there was enough circumstantial evidence to prove that at Paewai Mullins Shearing there was not only a safety culture but that the workers had high morale and enjoyed their work. The Paewai Mullins Shearing business is also growing against a declining is also growing said there business was growing against a declining number of sheep in New Zealand.

The group is small with 40 full time staff employed. This smaller structure has a number of benefits. "With a hundred people you're able to know their name and situations. The staff aren't considered labour units or FTE, but real people with families to go home to. This knowledge creates a family like situation where people take responsibility for themselves and each other" observes Ceri.

The Paewai Mullins Shearing business has taken this family concept, founded on traditional Maori values, and built it in to its work enabling workers not only acquire marketable skills but also learn to respect and care for one another.
Last years winner, Ribbonwood Yarding Systems from Rotorua, also had this concept in its business. The company developed health and safety systems and resources including a radio check-in system so other crew members would quickly become aware if a faller was in trouble and a safety DVD demonstrating how emotional strain can put them at risk.
Ceri believes that if New Zealanders move into a culture of safety, not only in the workforce, but in every aspect of life, health and safety practice will become not a regulatory feature but part of everyday life. This is an inspiring goal.

For more information on the awards, see Safe guards website and also take a moment to look at the Paewai Mullis Shearing Website.