Client: Retirement Village on Auckland’s North Shore
Project: Development of a Comprehensive Health and Safety Management System
Provider: Health and Safety Consultants Auckland (HSCA)
Overview:
HSCA recently completed a major Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) overhaul for a retirement village, ensuring compliance with New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and other relevant regulations. The project focused on creating a comprehensive, tailored solution to address the unique needs of a retirement village, including developing policies, risk management protocols, and emergency preparedness strategies.
Project Objectives:
Develop a fully compliant Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
Implement specific policies aligned with the Retirement Villages Act 2003 and Ministry of Health standards.
Establish effective risk management, including emergency procedures, resident safety protocols, and a buddy system for residents with disabilities.
Provide ongoing support for continuous safety improvement.
Key Challenges:
Commercial Kitchen Hazards: One of the main focuses was on restricting resident access to the village’s commercial kitchen. HSCA developed a Commercial Kitchen Use Policy that clearly outlines the hazards, such as high-temperature sanitizers and heavy-duty equipment, and why only trained staff are authorised to use the facility. This ensured the safety of the residents while allowing the staff to operate safely.
Emergency Preparedness: The existing emergency plan required substantial updates. HSCA introduced a detailed Emergency Management Plan, including new assembly points, an enhanced communication system, and an innovative Buddy System for residents with mobility or sensory impairments.
Resident Safety: Ensuring the safety of elderly residents during emergencies was critical. HSCA implemented protocols like a Buddy Register and regular emergency drills to provide peace of mind and security for both residents and staff.
Solutions Delivered:
Tailored Health & Safety Policies: HSCA created a comprehensive set of policies, including those for manual handling, hazardous substances and incident reporting. Each policy was customised to the operational needs of a retirement village environment.
Emergency Drills and Training: HSCA designed a structured training and drill schedule, ensuring that both staff and residents were well-prepared for emergencies.
Risk Assessments & Hazard Management: A thorough Hazard Register and Incident Reporting Procedures were established to maintain proactive risk management, ensuring compliance and ongoing safety improvements.
Outcomes:
Compliance: The retirement village is now fully compliant with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Retirement Villages Act 2003, and NZS 8134:2008 standards.
Safety Culture: HSCA fostered a strong culture of safety awareness and participation, engaging staff in maintaining a safe living environment.
Conclusion:
This successful project at the Residential Aged Care Facility demonstrates HSCA’s commitment to delivering tailored, practical health and safety solutions for retirement villages and similar facilities. HSCA’s expertise ensured that the village is not only compliant but set up for long-term safety and operational success.
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