ACC partners with sector groups for safer workplaces

Working together is key to any primary prevention system, which is why ACC is working with WorkSafe NZ to invest in and support key health and safety system partners.

These partners are taking a leadership role in addressing systemic issues within their sectors or industries. By doing this, they can create a transformative shift in the productivity, health, safety, and wellbeing performance of their sector.

“By working collaboratively, we improve the value of our contribution to making real, positive change for Kiwis,” says Virginia Burton-Konia, ACC’s Workplace Safety Manager.

“ACC enables the work and sectors that need it, and our partners provide peer-to-peer sharing and learning so businesses can put new, proven solutions in place.”

One of the best examples in the building sector is ACC’s partnership with Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ).

‘Work Should Not Hurt’

In December 2020, ACC began a five-year injury prevention partnership with CHASNZ. This enabled them to progress initiatives to support the construction sector to improve worker health, safety and wellbeing, while also improving business productivity. The Work Should Not Hurt programme is one of these initiatives.

CHASNZ’s goal is to ensure tradespeople enjoy long, pain-free careers and retire when they want to – not when forced to due to injury. The programme aims to change attitudes that preventable injuries like sprains and strains aren’t part of the job.

CHASNZ used their expertise to develop a practical ergonomics programme for the industry, which includes ‘Toolbox Talks’ workshops, easy-to-understand resources and guides, equipment trials and a website for major trades to understand their injury data. Since launching in April, Work Should Not Hurt has quickly gained momentum. CHASNZ programme manager and ergonomist Chris Polaczuk has held 20 workshops across the country upskilling tradespeople on health and safety and presenting at conferences and trade shows.

“With ACC’s support, we’re able to be a catalyst for change in small business,” Polaczuk says. “It’s the first time some of these trades, like brick and block laying, concrete services and flooring, have actually been looked at and supported. This partnership’s made it possible.”

Polaczuk says getting out on-site and meeting people face-to-face has been crucial in showing tradespeople just how important their wellbeing is to the industry.

“It’s made people aware that their pain and discomfort isn’t normal and that they aren’t alone,” he says.

“The tradies and their office staff are interested, engaged and grateful for the help, input and suggestions we give. But we don’t stop at one talk – we aim for a partnership where we work together to prevent these injuries.”

Looking out for workmates

In addition to the collaboration with CHASNZ, ACC’s ‘Have a hmmm’ campaign shines a light on the impact injuries can have on people’s workmates, with the construction sector featuring prominently.

ACC data for the residential construction sector shows over half of the injury claims that lead to time off work, occur outside of the workplace. This is most likely to happen to those aged 20-29. Over the past five years, the average number of days off each year for a non-work injury was 85 compared to 116 days for a work-related injury.

The shoulder, knees, hand, and wrist are most injured outside of work, which have a big impact on a person’s ability to be at work. When an employee gets injured, it can have a significant impact – not just for them, but on teammates, staff morale and business productivity.

Employees can also worry about their personal finances and being a burden to their loved ones and co-workers.

ACC’s new online videos and resources, including a builderfocused video, encourage people to ‘Have a hmmm’ about what they do outside of work, and think about the impact their injuries can have on their workmates.

“The majority of injuries that lead to people needing time off work occur in people’s own time,” says James Whitaker, ACC Injury Prevention Programme Leader. “By staying injury free, Kiwis can keep doing what they love without putting unnecessary pressure on their workmates.”

“This is really important right now given how stretched people in the construction sector are.”

For more information, visit www.acc.co.nz.