Health and Safety

• Auditing (link below)
• Procedures and other documentation (link below)
• Identification and assessment of chemical hazards (see Occupational Hygiene)
• Chemical risk assessment
• Monitoring and assessment of noise and other physical hazards (see Occupational Hygiene)
• Training
• Systematic hazard identification and risk assessment (link below)

Auditing

HaS Expertise has been involved in the development of audit tools and the completion of audits in a range of industries for a range of purposes.

 Forestry industry systems audits (Carter Holt Harvey sub-contractors)

• Hazardous Substances management audit – HaS Expertise designed audit tool (see HSNO auditing)
• Hazardous Substances inspections – HaS Expertise designed inspection tool (see HSNO auditing) Forestry industry operational audits (over 100 audits carried out "in the bush")
• Pre-audits for ACC Partnership Programme. These audits include all of the elements of the ACC audit, with the goal of passing the actual audit. Hence there is a greater component of advisory information and assistance given to the client to help them achieve their goal for the actual audit. Clients include: Goodman Fielder, Sanfords, Fletchers companies
• Pre-audits for ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices audit
• Audits to Principal requirements – e.g. audit to Vodafone health and safety standards for sub-contractors involved in line work (systems and/or operational).
• General health and safety audits and inspections

Procedures and other Documentation

The management of health and safety can often require the development of written procedures to provide guidance and evidence. Our knowledge of auditing processes helps to ensure that procedures developed are practical and meet requirements. We have also developed a number of standard forms and flow charts that can be incorporated into existing procedures.

Related experience includes preparation of guidelines for governmental and industry bodies. A recent project was the completion of a section of the health and safety guidelines for the boat building industry (a project funded by ACC, Waitakere City Council, and the boat building industry group).

Systematic Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

The identification and assessment of hazards in a workplace can be done through area assessment, task assessment or process assessment. In some cases a combination of these approaches is necessary. HaS Expertise can assist clients by facilitating and directing a team of people from the workplace (larger workplaces), or by carrying out the inspection (smaller workplaces). Training of staff can form an important part of this process – i.e., staff can be trained in hazard identification by HaS Expertise, while undertaking the first systematic hazard identification for the site.

Hazards are identified and assessed according to the New Zealand legislation (including assessment for significance).

To further prioritise hazards, risk assessment can also be carried out. To ensure consistent and independent assessment of risk, HaS Expertise can carry out this assessment – generally a semi-quantitative estimation of severity/consequence and likelihood/probability.