January 2009 We hope this newsletter finds you well rested and still able to enjoy the glorious sunny days in what has been a fantastic summer weather-wise. Unfortunately it has also been a summer of tragedy for many as the holiday death toll was at 50 by the second week of January! Many of these deaths were children and far too many of them were drowning or boating accidents. Safety is not just a workplace thing. It's in the home, on the roads, in the mountains and bush and on the waterways of our beautiful country. We need to stop accepting that "accidents happen" and start thinking "how can we prevent accidents". A general guideline to go by - STOP - Stop, Think , Observe, Plan - it applies in any situation. It's not about avoiding risks - its about managing them!

In this Issue What's new at ACC What's new at The Department of Labour (OSH) Strategic Planning and Training Calendars Health and Safety awareness this month In the news At the Tail End (or what we get on email!) Change of email address or to unsubscribe

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What's new at ACC

ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices programme

Contact us for more infomation on how we can help you to achieve a WSMP standard of Health and Safety in your organisation. Its a great way to implement safety and save money in your business. Call us on 0800 023 789.

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What's new at the Department of Labour (OSH)

Analysis of hundreds of the Department of Labour's investigations shows an increase in workplace fatalities over the summer months.

Last year over 54 people died in workplace accidents, 29 of them whilst working on farms, vineyards, forests and construction sites. In what is normally a festive season many families will be grieving the loss of a loved one; a loss that could have been avoided.

The causes of the surge in summer fatalities include working longer hours as people try to make the most of good weather, fewer and often untrained staff filling in for those on holiday, dehydration, heat exhaustion, alcohol consumption and its residual effects, and the use of more contractors.

Factsheets

There are some simple things you can do while working: drink plenty of water, take breaks and if a situation looks or feels dodgy then don’t do it. Use these fact sheets to take care of yourself and your family this summer.

• Keeping Children safe on farms
• ATV safety
• Dehydration
• Hot temperatures
• Breaks
• Employing young people in the holidays

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Strategic Planning and Training Calendars

If you're thinking about Strategic Business planning for 2009 and need to incorporate Health and Safety training into the calendar, than contact us for in house training solutions and services customised for your company. We specialise in providing you with what you need rather than a "one size fits all" approach. For more information on the Training solutions we offer and development of Health and Safety Action Plans, call us on 0800 023 789 or email us. See our website for more...... (Oh and we often take our course participants out of the classroom....)

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Health and Safety awareness this month

World report on child injury prevention Excerpts from the report: "The common view in New Zealand and around the world that unintentional injuries are mere accidents is unacceptable. If a disease were killing our children at the rate that unintentional injuries are, the public would be outraged and demand that governments stop this global killer," said Ann Weaver, Director of Safekids New Zealand. The World Report also presents evidence that significant reductions in health-care costs can be achieved by implementing cost-effective primary prevention programmes. "At a time when the New Zealand Government is refocusing its infrastructure investments, The World Report integrates the best and most cost-effective way to prevent childhood injuries," Ms. Weaver said. For more...

Its that time of year coming up with thousands of NZ children returning to school for Term One - just a reminder to slow down and watch for children. For information on the Feet First campaign and Walking School buses check out your local council website. For other information and hints for Back to School time from healthy lunches to sun safety........

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In the news

Edendale explosion second Fonterra accident in 48 hours
NZ Herald - Jan 19, 2009
Dairy giant Fonterra is investigating its second serious factory accident within 48 hours after an explosion at its Southland factory this morning. For more..

Man's death at Fonterra plant investigated
NZ Herald - Jan 19, 2009
Investigations are continuing into the death of a man killed in an industrial accident at a Fonterra dairy factory in Hawera, Taranaki, on Saturday night. For more...

Increase in BBQ burns brings plea to take care
NZ Herald - Jan 15, 2009
Middlemore Hospital has reported an increase in patients with serious burns this summer as holidaymakers toss petrol on barbecues to make them hotter. For more...

Summer has a gloomy side
NZ Herald - Jan 11, 2009
Until this weekend, the sun shone on the holiday season. But in terms of lives lost, it has been an unusually gloomy summer. Almost 50 people, including eight children, have died - or are reliably presumed dead - in various incidents. Many more have had near misses, and others, still in hospital, may yet die from injuries received. In road crashes, house fires, mishaps on and in the water, and in the back country, it has been a summer too often marred by death. For more....

Man seriously injured in welding accident
Stuff - 8 January 2009
A man who suffered serious burns to his face after an acetylene explosion at the Port of Nelson this morning is in a stable condition in hospital. For more...

Sad statistic
The Press - 19 December 2008
According to Water Safety NZ, children's swimming skills are down on average by 10 per cent compared with seven years ago. In specific terms, the lack of ...

Sunsmart Campaign Hits Hard With Personal Message
Scoop - 21 December 2008
Melanoma sufferer, Lynne O'Keeffe, is backing a hard-hitting sun safety campaign which urges parents to protect their children from the sun. For more...

Lifesaver injured while testing pool slide
NZ Herald - Dec 17, 2008
A New Plymouth swimming complex has delayed the introduction of a new "turboslide" after a lifesaver was badly injured while testing it out. For more...

Tragedy as landfill truck overturns
Stuff.co.nz - 12 December 2008
A Wellington City Council worker has been killed after the truck he was driving rolled down a dirt track at one of the city's landfills. For more..

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At the Tail End (or what we get on email!)

Little Johnny is back with more!

Little Johnny's kindergarten class was on a field trip to their local police station where they saw pictures tacked to a bulletin board of the 10 most wanted criminals. One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photo of a wanted person. 'Yes,' said the policeman. 'The detectives want very badly to capture him. 'Little Johnny asked, 'Why didn't you keep him when you took his picture ?'

New Safety footwear...or not!

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