Launch of the new Health and Safety Governance Guide
The Institute of Directors is launching with WorkSafe, and in association with the Business Leaders Health and Safety Forum and the General Manager Safety Forum, a new Health and Safety Governance Guide.
New guidelines for Directors of companies and business groups for health and safety have been released – it’s worth a read through team. WorkSafe and the Institute of Directors have been looking at the requirements of the business owner and Directors to ensure that robust compliance is in place for the management of Health and Safety following the 2019 Whakaari incident.
DOWNLOAD THESE PDF RESOURCES
Health and Safety Governance – Quick Guide
Health and Safety Governance: A Good Practice Guide
Health and Safety Governance 2024 Self Assessment
The Guidance states that Directors should be asking:
- What can I do to support my organisation to deliver safer outcomes and protect our people?
- Are we doing enough to keep our people safe?
- Do we have a clear enough idea of what success looks like in health and safety?
- What are the critical risks for my organisation?
Directors should focus on the organisation’s purpose, developing a vision of success, a plan to achieve it safely, and how to measure its performance.
What else should Directors be doing?
They need to lead and develop a strong purpose and health and safety culture, but they also need to be aware of their business.
- The board needs to exhibit ‘tone from the top’ – and actively encourage near-miss reporting. It should act on this information, reflecting on improvements that could be made, but also what worked to prevent a fatality or catastrophic event.
The final tip from each panellist for leading better governance of health and safety, included:
- Understand your business risks, how the business is managing them, and ensure you’re comfortable with the process in place. If not, do something about it! Be brave, be courageous
- Directors must remain curious and sceptical and not accept things at face value, and keep asking deep, penetrating questions
- Consider the ethics and common sense you can apply to your organisation.
Published in WIRED issue 75/December 2024 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ
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