WorkSafe NZ develops 'Around the Block' safety tool

A new online tool has been developed by WorkSafe New Zealand, designed to assist businesses with managing their workplace health and safety risks.

Thirteen business types have been included on the ‘Around the Block’ tool, which is interactive and enables users to click on ‘hotspots’ to discover some typical workplace health and safety risks for these businesses.

The businesses were selected to fit in with those often seen on a city block, including cafes, hair salons, medical centres and petrol stations.

Over time, more businesses will be added to the block, particularly targeting the small and medium-sized businesses that make up some 97% of the New Zealand business landscape.

“Businesses have told us they want to better understand health and safety in their particular business context, so we worked with representative businesses to develop and test the tool,” WorkSafe Manager of Education and Engagement Strategy Katherine Low said.

“It’s designed to support them with training and involving workers in identifying and managing some of their key health and safety risks.”

The tool, aroundtheblock.worksafe.govt.nz, was built by WorkSafe in collaboration with ACC to help businesses better understand their obligations under the new Health and Safety at Work Act from a risk management perspective.

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