Health and safety highlighted at talk

Jim Pope from Hauraki Safety & HR addressed the October meeting of the Waihi Business Breakfast Network.

Jim highlighted prosecution decisions that meant companies were fined on average $350,000 for not having fully managed safety. He said fines aimed to hurt a business, but not put them out of business. Consideration is given to voluntary reparation, but the court can award further compensation if necessary.

“Employers need to identify safety risks, and assure themselves that controls are effective, and once implemented must be monitored regularly,” said Jim. “Importantly employers need to inform workers of safety risks and controls. They must ensure workers are competent and understand their obligations before letting them loose on a job and around machinery,” he said.

He said cases identified the need for employers to have a current health and safety system to meet legal obligations.

“You can’t legislate for stupidity, and WorkSafe do take a realistic approach. If employers are managing safety risk ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ (the legal standard) and something still happens, that is considered.”

Jim has clients throughout the Hauraki — Coromandel area and can be contacted on 027 278 2335 or haurakisafetyandhr.co.nz

■ The Waihi Business Breakfast Network Group meets at Eaten Cafe´ on the second Thursday of every month. Phone Graham Hawkes 02139512.2.