6 April 2006

Roading company takes top health and safety prize

Roading and infrastructure construction firm Fulton Hogan is the winner of the 2006 Workplace Health and Safety Awards.

Fulton Hogan was awarded for making the best contribution to improving workplace health and safety in New Zealand at an awards ceremony in Auckland last night.

The company invented a new method of storing and decanting hydrochloric acid, so that employees were no longer exposed to acid mist. Judges commended the initiative because it involved staff and was undertaken before anyone was hurt. The initiative also improved productivity and product quality as well as employee health.

Department of Labour workplace deputy secretary Andrew Annakin said the awards, now into their second year, celebrated the productivity gains and employee wellness that came with good workplace health and safety systems. The Department of Labour is a major supporter of the awards.

The nine categories attracted more than 100 entries for health and safety initiatives undertaken in 2005. Mr Annakin said the volume of the entries, and the variety of initiatives, highlighted the fact that smart firms are taking health and safety seriously.

“There is a tremendous amount of good work going on in companies right across the country, and the awards are designed to look beyond the headline-grabbing deaths and injuries, to celebrate those that recognise healthy businesses rely on healthy workers.”

Mr Annakin said a key feature of this year’s awards was the willingness of businesses to involve staff in identifying hazards and coming up with solutions, and encouraging employees to take control of their wellbeing.

“Businesses that adopt these kinds of positive approaches to health and safety, by involving employees in formulating good health and safety practices, report fewer accidents and injuries, and higher workplace productivity,” he said.

The 2006 Workplace Health and Safety Awards winners are:

Department of Labour best productivity gain from a health and safety initiative – Watercare Services (Auckland)

Air New Zealand best initiative to address an occupational health hazard and overall winner – Fulton Hogan (Auckland)

OfficeMax best initiative to improve employee wellness – Vodafone (Auckland)

Air New Zealand best system to encourage employee participation in health and safety – Recreational Services (Auckland)

SICK best design or technology initiative - O-I New Zealand (Auckland)

EMA best health and safety initiative by a small business – Findlater Sawmilling (Winton)

ACC ThinkSafe best leadership of an industry sector – CApENZ (New Plymouth)

Safeguard health and safety practitioner of the year - Buddy Chaffey of Carter Holt Harvey Penrose Mill (Auckland)

NZCTU most influential employee - Phil Jennings of Ribbonwood Yarding Systems (Rotorua)

Air New Zealand best overall contribution to improving workplace health and safety in New Zealand – Fulton Hogan

ENDS

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