The recent fines and reparations handed down to three companies as a result of a worker's death highlight the Domino Effect.
A much loved person lost their lives in a preventable work place incident. This was not an accident as it was preventable.
What is the Domino Effect as it relates to Health and Safety?
If you have ever witnessed the Domino art works when the first Domino is tipped, then as the rest follow it reveals a picture.
Every wondered how the prevent the total collapse of the art work while building?
Simple, they put in ‘blocks’ at various points so in the event of an accidental tripping of a piece, the whole thing doesn’t collapse.
An effective Health and Safety system should work in much the same way, a ‘block’ that prevents a total collapse. It’s that simple.
It the recent case reported in the media, three companies were identified and fined for failure to put in place or action effective ‘blocks’ so that in the event of a failure of one party, it would not end in a tragedy.
The companies, or PCBU’s were of varying sizes, but each had a major role in preventing the tragedy.
While the fines were proportioned as to degree of ‘Blame’, it misses the point of an effective Health and Safety Process.
If any of those involved had put in place practical ‘blocks, the death of a much loved person would not have occurred.
An effective ‘block’ is NOT a paper trail, nor an “I thought someone else was supposed to do that….” process.
It is in fact, as the intent of the new Act tries to initiate, everyone’s role and responsibility..
The PCBU (company) their staff, contractors/sub-contractors and their staff, Workers (as the Act defines employed people) all must fulfill their roles.
Make no mistake; this includes even those in an office that supports the PCBU’s activities who see something that is not right.
You must do something about it. Doing nothing is not an option, as it might well be that what you do puts the vital missing ‘block’ in place that prevents a tragedy.
Health and Safety should not be an onerous, paper based, “do it cause we have” to process.
In fact, when everyone takes ownership of their own Health and Safety, it provides for a safer workplace and adds value to a PCBU’s overall operation.
Graham Roper
Founder
NZ Safety Brokers New Zealand limited
Providers of free Health and Safety process to Volunteer organisations throughout NZ.
