Finalists decided in annual workplace safety awards

The finalists in the NZ Workplace Health and Safety Awards for 2011 have been decided from among the more than 120 entries received.

The winners in each of the 10 competitive categories, and a supreme winner, will be announced at a gala dinner at SKYCITY Convention Centre in Auckland on 1 June.

The awards are organised by Thomson Reuters, publisher of Safeguard magazine, and proudly supported by the Department of Labour. The awards dinner is timed to coincide with the annual Safeguard National Health and Safety Conference.

Safeguard managing editor Peter Bateman says the awards are now in their seventh year and are well established as an annual highlight for the wide range of people involved in the prevention of injury and ill-health arising from work.

“Health and safety people are the unsung heroes of the New Zealand workplace and thoroughly deserve one night of celebration each year.”

Too often, he says, health and safety features in the media only after a workplace fatality. The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the good news about health and safety, and to share knowledge about initiatives that have worked well.

“Health and safety practitioners are by nature collegial and more than willing to share their thinking with others. The awards help to highlight good work and to assist in spreading innovative and effective ideas more widely.”

The category finalists, in alphabetic order within category, are:

Kensington Swan best initiative to address a safety hazard
. Mr Apple NZ, Hastings
. Progressive Enterprises, Auckland
. Progressive Enterprises, Auckland

Department of Labour best initiative to address a health hazard
. New Zealand King Salmon, Nelson
. Royal New Zealand Air Force
. Southern District Health Board, Dunedin

Vitae best initiative to improve employee wellness
. Counties Manukau District Health Board, Auckland
. Electrix, Auckland
. SKYCITY, Auckland

NZ Safety best initiative to encourage engagement in health & safety
. Fletcher Walmsley Upgrade Project, Auckland
. New Zealand Sugar, Auckland
. United Water, Papakura
. Victoria Park Alliance, Auckland

SICK best use of design to eliminate or isolate a hazard
. Electrix, Auckland
. Fonterra, Hawera
. Progressive Enterprises, Auckland

Transfield Services best health and safety initiative by a small business
. Alan Forbes Transport, Tokoroa
. EIS, Invercargill
. Pollock & Sons Crane Hire, Tauranga

Impac best significant health and safety initiative by a large organisation
. Amcor Beverage Cans, Auckland
. Fonterra, Temuka
. KiwiRail Freight, Auckland

ACC best leadership of an industry sector
. Meridian Energy, Twizel
. Seeka Kiwifruit Industries, Te Puke
. Taranaki Construction Safety Group, New Plymouth

Safeguard health and safety practitioner of the year
. Catherine King (Coca-Cola Amatil, Auckland)
. Jay Lauten (Fletcher Construction, Auckland)
. Neil Burton (Shell Todd Oil Services, New Plymouth)

Ross Wilson – NZCTU most influential employee
. Greg Chaffey (Fonterra, Mataura)
. Josie Gedson (Norske Skog Tasman, Kawerau)
. Judyanne Flint (The Warehouse Group, Christchurch)

Judges’ Special Commendation
. Skylight, Wellington

The judging panel of five included representatives from the Department of Labour, ACC, the NZ Council of Trade Unions, Safeguard, and a senior health and safety practitioner.

ENDS

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