IN THIS ISSUE

1) Hazardous Time Ahead - Lead up to Christmas
2) Summer Driving
3) Recent Department of Labour Prosecutions
4) Securo Holiday Service
5) Seasons Greetings
6) That’s Got to Hurt!

1) Hazardous Time Ahead - Lead up to Christmas

As companies gear up to the high public demand for their products and services in the lead up to the festive and holiday season, many employees will face added hazards as production increases and overtime places extra stress on staff.   

Company Health and Safety Co-ordinators and Management need to be aware that the potential for serious harm incidents increases markedly due to tiredness and the added pressure to get the job done.    The problem is also increased as companies employ casual or part-time staff to meet the demand.  These new employees, although useful in meeting demand, create an added threat to their own well-being and the well-being of permanent staff.   

Here are some simple steps that can be put in place to minimise the problems:

• All new employees, including casual or part-time staff, should be inducted into the health and safety and emergency systems within 1 week of commencing the role
• If an employee is only hired for 3 weeks, it is even more important that they understand the safety procedures quickly.
• Good housekeeping should continue during increased production
• Untidy and messy work areas or systems will lead to problems when staff tire and work under added stress
• Management should know the limitations of staff and production
• It is no good demanding 300 items an hour if the best that has ever been achieved is 250.  This is just as relevant for sales staff
• All staff should be informed of the added dangers they face before the busy time starts
• Discussing the possibility of the added hazards in a cool, calm atmosphere is a better option that attempting to get the message across a few moments after a serious harm incident has occurred.
• Carry out an Emergency Evacuation before an actual emergency occurs
• It is surprising how smoothly an actual evacuation happens when staff have practised the Emergency Evacuation Procedure
• Train standby and holiday staff
• When the dust has settled and the majority of staff are having their well-earned break, ensure that remaining staff are aware and familiar with the safety and emergency procedures and follow them.

2) Summer Driving

Whether it’s for work or play, driving on the roads this time of year can be stressful and dangerous. By planning ahead, packing and preparing properly, and allowing plenty of time for long trips you can help ensure a safe journey. 

With the traffic volume increasing, many people driving on unfamiliar roads, people driving long hours suffering from fatigue, road rage setting in for some drivers, an increase incidence of drink-driving during holiday periods are all reasons why we have to pay extra attention on the roads this summer. 

The following tips and advice below will help you, your employees and loved ones be safe on these roads these holidays: 

Fatigue

As long trips are tiring, fatigue can set in which can be deadly. To avoid fatigue and improve your alertness:

• Before your journey make sure you have plenty of sleep
• Try to drive at times of the day you are normally awake
• If possible, share the driving
• Take your time and every couple of hours have a break. Taking a short walk or some other exercise gets your blood flowing and improves your alertness. Consider your passengers too
• Ensure you have plenty of water for you and your passengers so you don’t get dehydrated. In case of traffic delays it is recommended to pack extra water and healthy snacks
• Do Not drink and drive, and Do Not speed. These two are major contributors to fatigue crashes
• Cool air will keep you alert and help avoid frustration & stress so using air conditioning will benefit the driver.

Vehicle Preparation & Packing

• Before travelling, get your vehicle checked out. Make sure your registration and WoF is current, and if you drive diesel, buy plenty of RUC for your journey. Your local auto mechanic will offer safety checks for tyre tread and pressure, lights, brakes, cooling systems and other components
• It is more efficient to have a well-tuned vehicle  - so you will save money by cutting down on fuel consumption
• Having everything securely packed will reduce the risk of anything falling out of place and causing an accident.

Trailers & Caravan

• All towing attachments need to be checked and the couplings are compatible
• Check the safety chain, trailer lights, trailer lights, tyres and brakes
• Load heavy objects evenly over all of the axles
• When towing a trailer your maximum speed limit on an open road is 80km/h
• Keeping left and pulling over when it is safe will allow other vehicles to pass.

Keep Calm

• Be courteous and show consideration to other road users - let others merge into traffic & indicate before turning or changing lanes
• Keep left, unless passing. If you are a slower driver it is best to pull over, and let others pass
• Be patient and avoid being provoked by others on the road and other drivers’ aggressive behaviour

Share the Road

• Maintain a minimum two-second gap between your car and the vehicle in front,  in unfavourable weather the distance of the gap should be a minimum of four-seconds
• As trucks and towing vehicles have lower speed limits it is advised to wait for a passing lane or until you can see clear road ahead of you and overtake safely.

• Wear your seatbelt at ALL times, and ensure your passengers are securely restrained
• The law states children under five must be properly restrained by an approved child restraint suitable to their size and weight. For each person not buckled up there is a $150 fine
• Do not forget to secure pets or loose items.

• Watch out for children on the road – as your cyclists and pedestrians can be unpredictable they can be poor judges of vehicle speed. They may also be learning to ride new bikes over the holidays.

3) Recent Department of Labour Prosecutions

4) Securo Holiday Service

The Securo office will close for the Christmas break at midday on Friday 24th December 2009.  We will reopen with an operational team at 9.00am on Tuesday 5th January 2010.

Our nationally based Safety Consultants will be returning to work at various times throughout January.  If you are unable to contact your Securo Safety Consultant during this time please call our Helpline - 0800 55 33 44 - and we will be happy to offer a solution. 

Emergency Telephone Service - 021 434 436

  Securo will be maintaining the normal 24/7 emergency services over the Christmas and New Year break.  In the event your company requires emergency advice or support, please call 021 434436 to contact a Securo Safety Consultant. 

5) Merry Christmas from Securo! 

We at Securo would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.  We would like to thank all those companies who have used our services for their loyalty and we look forward to supporting your health and safety goals in 2010.

The Team at Securo Ltd  Wishes you a very Safe & Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year

From:  Annette, Bruce, Carl, Chris, David A, David C, Fiona, Graham, Janice, Janine, Jeremy, John C, Kenneth, Lesley, Murray, Pamela, Phil, Tania and Roscoe. 

6) That’s Got to Hurt!

Each issue we feature a safety related photo.  Just for fun we'd like to receive your ideas for an appropriate caption.  We will publish the best caption received in the next issue. Good luck!  

Please send your captions to secteam@securo.co.nz Re: That’s Got to Hurt, or fax them to 09 307 3360     

Previous Months Photo:

Winning Caption:

“Hurry up! The Mexican wave’s heading our way”.

Nick Harwood

Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Coffey Geotechnics 

This month’s Photo: