07 Health and Safety
Physical and Mental Wellness FI T N E S S C H A L L E N G E In February, staff were issued a fitness challenge where, for one month, staff recorded their biking, running, active walking or swimming in kilometres. As well as spot prizes and a gift voucher for one lucky
The Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation is committed to protecting and nurturing the physical and mental wellbeing of all people in its workplace by providing a healthy, safe and positive place to work.
winner, the CEO added an additional challenge of purchasing an electric bike for the workplace if our combined distances reached 4000km. This total was achieved, and we now have an electric bike as an additional resource for commuting between local venues. W E I G H T LO S S C H A L L E N G E Several staff from Health and Wellness Services worked together and
Our Health and Safety Committee includes staff and
issued a 12-week weight loss challenge in February, which provided
management who work together to share responsibility for
support, healthy eating education and weekly weigh-ins for those who
instigating, developing and actioning measures designed to
wished to participate. Unfortunately, the initiative had to be cancelled
safeguard the health and safety of our employees.
due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of our health and safety responsibilities we have health and safety representatives who attend monthly
GNOME MORE
Health and Safety Committee meetings, fire wardens who
Our Gnome Competition, which commenced last year, continued to
carry out bi-annual fire drills, and first aid officers at all
provide entertainment and a collegial work environment as teams
three of our sites – Head Office in Eleventh Avenue, Health
were challenged to photograph their gnomes in the most unique
and Wellness Services in First Avenue West, and our
locations while trying to kidnap and photograph other team’s gnomes
Eastern Bay base in Whakatāne.
for additional points. It turned out to be highly competitive, with most
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All new employees receive a health and safety
joining in the spirit of the light-hearted competition, while others were
induction and a workstation assessment. We are
worthy of a Charles Dickens protagonist with cries of ‘bah humbug’ and
members of the Vitae Employee Assistance Programme,
plots to destroy the delicate gnomes.
New Zealand Institute of Safety, and the Employers and Manufacturers Association.
R U G BY WO R L D C U P 2 0 19 The staff at Head Office in Eleventh Avenue took part in a Rugby World Cup Challenge in September 2019 where teams decorated their work pods in their allocated team’s colours and shared kai in the form of their team’s national dishes. GAMES EVENINGS Two games evenings were held to celebrate the end of lockdown and to celebrate the end of winter. Participation was encouragingly high, with fun and laughter being shared by all. GL ASSES REIMBURSEMENT POLICY A little-known historic Glasses Reimbursement policy was resurrected, formalised, and communicated to all staff. The policy allows for a biennial reimbursement of eye tests and 50 percent reimbursement of glasses up to the value of $250. The policy was maintained as it was recognised that consistent computer work can place strain on an employee’s eyes.
All staff were again involved in the national ShakeOut 2020, which reminds people of the action to take during an earthquake – Drop, Cover and Hold.
