High-performing health and safety representatives, who are empowered to be leaders in the business, play a fundamental role in creating and supporting a culture of safety and wellbeing.
SafeSkills, presented by Safeguard, is a one-day event that will assist HSRs to develop the skills they need to be more effective in their role in increasing worker engagement and participation.
To foster an interactive learning environment, and to encourage attendee involvement, SafeSkills will be delivered using a mix of workshop-style and case study sessions.
The SafeSkills Conference is an ideal opportunity to develop the presence and value of those focused on the health and safety of your business, while creating a safer workplace for you and your colleagues.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2022 SafeSkills Conference.
TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS ATTENDEES
"Awesome! Challenged the way I think about Health and Safety and motivated me to be a better HSR"
"Thank you so much. This was my first H&S conference and I found it inspiring!"
"Very well put together conference, very informative, got a lot of good tools to take away and try to implement"
| 8.00 AM | Registration and coffee |
| 8.30AM | Welcome from the Chair Helen Sadgrove, Managing Director NZ, HSE Global |
| 8.35AM | Sensors in the System Brent and Sherry are the new Health & Safety Representative Development Leads for WorkSafe New Zealand. They will be testing assumptions and engaging with you in an interactive, and possibly noisy session – Let’s get Clarity! Brent Armitage and Sherry Peck, HSR Development Leads, WorkSafe |
| 9.20AM | Workshop: Effective communication – be the best advocate you can Being a good communicator is key to being an effective HSR. You are an advocate for your fellow workers and the channel by which their voice is heard. This practical session will include:
Tina Rose, Director, Education Unlimited (Akl/Ham/Chch/Dun) Martin Tanner, Senior Learning Specialist, Education Unlimited (Wgtn) (Morning break will be taken during the workshop) |
| 11.45AM | Lunch |
| 12.30PM | Case study: WEPR the game changer Auckland Council started a journey to transform its worker engagement and HSR experience last November. The initial focus has been to raise the profile of HSRs across the organisation, elevating them as leaders and ensuring they are viewed as such. With that recognition comes inclusion at the decision-making table and, they believe, that is where HSRs become game-changers. Elaine will share the story so far, the practical steps they have taken and the things they found that worked well. Elaine Toal, Health and Safety Manager, Auckland Council |
| 1.15PM | Mental Health Conversations HSRs play an important role in managing mental health and wellbeing in an organisation, often being the first point of contact. But this may not be something that you feel you have the right training or experience for. In this session the team from MATES in Construction will provide practical tips and guidance on difficult conversations. They will teach you how to:
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| 2.00PM | Table talk |
| 2.15PM | Afternoon Break |
| 2.35PM | Case study: Speaking up to make the workplace safer One of the challenges faced by HSRs can be having difficult conversations with managers. This is a challenge Corrections Officer and HSR Chris Gorringe encountered when a number of design and other issues in a new prison build were putting staff at risk. With progress slow, Chris issued a PIN which was the catalyst for consultation with staff, management and HSRs to implement a change that ensured the prison was safe for all those working inside. Chris Gorringe, Corrections Officer, Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections |
| 3.10PM | HSR forum SafeSkills provides a wonderful opportunity to meet with and learn from other HSRs. We close the conference with an opportunity to ask questions and raise issues related to your HSR role. |
| 3.45PM | Conference wrap up and close Helen Sadgrove, Managing Director NZ, HSE Global |
Helen Sadgrove, Managing Director NZ, HSE Global
Helen is a dynamic and focused professional, experienced working in both the public and private sectors at senior levels. She is analytical, with the ability to comprehend and provide key input into complex policy at both National and International levels. Helen is honest and reliable, with a high level of personal integrity and committed to professional standards. With excellent communication and interpersonal skills, Helen has the ability to influence and develop strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels of organisations. Helen has advised sector based, public and private organisations on their performance and practice across a range of requirements in risk, health and safety, food safety and hygiene, public health (infectious and communicable disease) environment and property. Helen has mentored emerging professionals in health and safety practice and principles, to move away from traditional approaches to safety in order to realise and maximise human potential and organisational adaptive capacity and resilience. Helen has advised organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors on critical risk management, including: NZ Police on dealing with trauma, the search and rescue sector and emergency services on dealing with fatigue. Helen has successfully led a team of occupational health nurses, psychologists, engineers, safety generalists, rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists and managers at St John to deliver health, safety, wellbeing, environment and sustainability services to over 20,000 people across over 378 sites.
Brent Armitage, HSR Development Lead, WorkSafe
Brent Armitage is WorkSafe’s new HSR Development Lead for Auckland. Brent started out in health and safety by becoming a Health and Safety Rep for his workgroup at Air New Zealand and went on to become the recipient of the 2019 Safeguard HSR of the Year award. Brent is a committed advocate of Health and Safety Reps and brings a tonne of experience to the new role. He’s excited to create positive and meaningful change for Health and Safety Reps in Aotearoa.
Sherry Peck, HSR Development Lead, WorkSafe
Sherry Peck is the new the HSR Development Lead at WorkSafe New Zealand for Christchurch. Sherry has a 20+ year history as an HSR, with at least half of that spent working as a civilian with New Zealand Defence Force, Case Managing soldiers injuries and claims. Since then, she has been a Team Manager, a Crown Land Co-Ordinator, an Educator, and an Engagement Partner. She’s super enthusiastic about Safety2 concepts but her real passion is worker engagement and participation.
Tina Rose, Director, Education Unlimited
With 20 years experience Tina's company Education Unlimited (EU) provides tailor made workplace training combining the needs of businesses while empowering their people. Health and safety is front and centre in a lot of the training they deliver. Critical communication skills and ensuring people walk out the door knowing why and how to be safe is the driver. What motivates Tina is knowing that their mahi enhances the lives of employees, and that businesses hold the key to transforming the lives of people, whānau, and communities. Working across the construction sector gives Tina a unique insight into the challenges businesses and their current and future workforce face, and what can be done to ensure everyone stays safe and returns home to their whānau each day
Chris Gorringe, Corrections Officer and HSR, Ara Poutama Aotearoa/Department of Corrections
Chris Gorringe has been employed with the Department of Corrections since 2017. In 2019 Chris found himself working inside NZ's purpose Built Maximum Security Facility. During his time here, he found himself challenged with multiple H&S concerns and the welfare of staff. In this time he championed the safety of his colleagues in returning home safely each day and breaking down barriers between frontline staff and managers. Chris found himself the Safeguard H&S Rep of the year in 2020 for the work he undertook. Chris has been awarded a H&S Scholarship to complete a NEBOSH International Diploma.
Martin Tanner, Senior Learning Specialist, Education Unlimited
Martin is a senior learning specialist with extensive experience in designing and delivering training programmes across government, private and not-for-profit sectors. With 25 years' experience in adult education, Martin draws from a wealth of international experience to provide innovative and pragmatic learning solutions.
Dunedin: 23 August, Fable Dunedin
Christchurch: 24 August, Rydges Latimer
Wellington: 25 August, Intercontinental
Auckland: 30 August, Eden Park
Hamilton: 31 August, Claudelands
$550 + GST
GROUP BOOKINGS
**Book 4 attendees and the 5th attends free**
Contact Annette at eventsanz@thomsonreuters.com or call 021 247 7144 to book.