2023 Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award Finalists

This award seeks to recognise a company, organisation, team or individual that has developed, implemented and championed outstanding approaches in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of construction workers, colleagues and friends.

Congratulations to:

• Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ
  • They were finalists for their Wellbeing on Tap Programme. It was launched in 2019, to provide tailored support, resources and information in the mental health and wellbeing space to plumbing, gas fitting and drain laying employers, their employees and apprentices. The programme has since grown significantly to include an 0800 Wellbeing Number and Wellbeing Toolbox Talk roadshow.

The judges said “what really caught their eyes” was the way in which Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ expanded their Wellbeing on Tap programme to all their member businesses when it became clear how valuable it was.

They said the programme showcased a business “going way beyond its legal duties” and they were particularly impressed with the growth of the programme which now offers helpful ideas, resources, webinars, roadshows and a 0800 number staffed by its Wellbeing Coach, Kereama Carmody, who’s a registered social worker.

“One apprentice summed it up for the judges by saying that talking with Kereama on the hotline has given him the confidence to speak up on his own mental health journey. What a wonderful initiative and a great model for other membership organisations." 

This award is for a small team who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to health and safety in construction. This award acknowledges the team who light the spark in other people’s minds and inspire positive change and action in the area of health and safety.

Congratulations to winners:

• BTW Company and Sayer Drainage
  • BTW Company and Sayer Drainage completed a subdivision project near Ngaruawahia together. They worked rigorously, collectively and communicated openly to safeguard all workers and work activity in very challenging conditions with multiple risks and hazards.

What made this project really stand out for the judges were two things – the level of consultation and the collaboration between BTW Company and Sayer Drainage. They told the judges that their first consideration was to respect the cultural health of the community through consultation with local iwi who provided their consent to proceed under the watchful eyes of the archaeologists. This consultative effort continued throughout the project.

The second aspect that attracted the attention of the judges was the collaboration between these two companies.

They said: “Both companies attribute the project’s impeccable safety record to having great people, frequent and clear communication and the ability to be responsive and flexible. Their shared onsite office was symbol of their desire to know each other, to integrate into the local community, and to respond quickly to identify and isolate potential risks.”

This award is for an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to health and safety in construction. This award acknowledges the individual who light the spark in other people’s minds and inspire positive change and action in the area of health and safety.

Congratulations to winner:

• Karyn Beattie from ICON Co Pty (NZ) Limited

Karyn is described as the quintessential health, safety, environment and quality professional. She displays in-depth management knowledge, and has experience working directly on major construction projects, and in senior leadership roles across a range of industries.

The judges said Karyn is at the forefront of Icon Co NZ’s efforts as a business to focus on valuing their people and providing safe, welcoming working environments.

Her efforts and influence in the wider health and safety community are felt throughout. She currently serves as the youngest board member of the New Zealand Safety Council and is Chair of the Health and Safety Professionals Group which reports to the Vertical Construction Leaders Group.

They said: “… the business put Karyn’s name forward because they say she’s a passionate, skilled change-maker who influences and mentors at all levels of the business.

“She is single-minded yet approachable, strategic and operational. She’s deeply invested in the success of the business, and generous with her time and knowledge in her voluntary roles. In the words of her company, Karyn’s constantly looking forward and will continue her investment in improving health, safety, environmental and quality initiatives, activities and projects. The judges wish her well in those worthy goals.”

This award is for a site or company demonstrating the best new idea or initiative to drive improvements in health and safety systems or behaviours, address or manage a specific hazard or risk, create a design solution to address a problem, or to improve productivity.

Congratulations to winners:

• Core Drill Block Ltd
  • Core Drill Block invented a drill to improve the safety of core drilling when working on sites. It eliminated the use of hands and feet near the high torque spinning drilling as well as eliminate accidents and injuries.

The judges said: “We were delighted to see products invented and designed right here in Aotearoa New Zealand and have been put into production and proven themselves in the market. This is an innovation designed by a tiny company in Auckland to solve the challenges of starting a concrete core drill both neatly and safely. The solution is simple, clever and elegant. It’s cheap, easy-to-use, quick and available worldwide.”

This award is for a site or company demonstrating the best new idea or initiative to drive improvements in health and safety systems or behaviours, address or manage a specific hazard or risk, create a design solution to address a problem, or to improve productivity.

Congratulations to (and in no particular order):

• ICON Co Pty (NZ) Limited
  • The 40 story Voco-HIE hotel was a unique project. Safe construction of the project, especially the Level 21 transfer zone and surrounding areas were critical and complex. ICON created safer practices and improved productivity as well.

The judges said: “ICON’s build was tough enough – a 21-floor high-rise hotel with another 19-floor hotel on top of it. Add to that a complex transfer structure 80 metres above ground, what ICON calls the “foundations in the sky”. Add to this a confined and steep site in the centre of the Auckland CBD.

The ICON team concentrated on reducing high-risk activity at height. They did this by process improvements that maximised the amount of construction work that was carried out at ground level and within controlled environments such as workshops and prefabrication yards.”

This award is for a site or company where an initiative has been implemented that involves organisational leaders in driving health and safety performance through visible and active involvement in health and safety activities. This could include developing safety culture, making safety positive or demonstrating leadership at the highest level. This award is open to organisations of all sizes. Organisational leaders can be the CEO and senior managers in a large company through to the owner (or other person with significant influence) in an SME.

Congratulations to winner:

• Ben Clisby - Protech Roofing
  • Over the last two years, Ben has become an ambassador for injury prevention in the roofing industry. Using his 20 years of experience in roofing, including managing his own business, Ben uses a very real, pragmatic and matter-of-fact approach to communicating health and safety with the industry.

The judges said: “Ben is a roofer from Levin with more than 20 years on the tools. He’s had his fair share of pain and discomfort over the years as the job takes its toll but what marks Ben out is that he’s taken the time to consider the causes and to work at improving his own health outcomes.

He’s also become the brains – and the face – behind a heap of guidance material directed at keeping roofers safe, including 12 training videos. Oh, and the 2022 Roofers’ Association Conference elected him “New Zealand’s God-Damn Best Roofer” after hearing one of his presentations.

What the judges loved about Ben’s nomination is that it’s all about a tradie reflecting on years of experience and knowledge and sharing what he’s learnt with the rest of the industry. And doing it passionately, knowledgably and humbly.”