National recognition for excellence by the Otago District Health Board in the area of health and safety would not have been possible without the dedication of senior management, Stephanie Pomfret says.
Mrs Pomfret, who is the board's occupational health and safety manager, said chief executive Brian Rousseau's support for health and safety initiatives was absolutely crucial in influencing the rest of the organisation.
At the board's annual health and safety Christmas star awards ceremony last week, where more than 50 of those involved with health and safety received recognition, Mr Rousseau was one of three senior managers to receive a superstar award.
The others were group manager of Women's and Children's and Public Health Pip Stewart and medical officer of health Dr John Holmes.
Earlier this year at the National Safeguard Health and Safety Awards, the board received the ACC best leadership of an industry sector or region award, and one of its health and safety representatives, Michelle Scarfe, won the most influential employee award.
Ms Scarfe works in the board's north community mental health team and had been a finalist in the award last year.
The board was also selected as a national finalist in the best initiative to encourage engagement in health and safety award.
Mrs Pomfret said the board was also proud of twice winning the regional workplace safety award in annual Westpac Chamber of Commerce business excellence awards, competing against large private organisations.
It was acknowledged that hospitals were dangerous places to work in and one of the greatest challenges was being aware of the need to eliminate possible hazards as technology changes were introduced, Mrs Pomfret said.
Hazards outside the hospital have also come under scrutiny by staff and included a winter road safety campaign begun in 2007 which resulted in a 90% reduction in staff injury from slips and trips.
As well as providing training for its own staff, including 75 health and safety representatives, the board also offers education for medical and nursing students and a variety of other health service providers.
