Starting a new work year is often one of the most dangerous times for work place safety. It is surprising how even a short break can see good work place health and safety habits slip and while it’s great to recharge the batteries, we often come back not quite 100% focused on the job.

Indicators released from statistics New Zealand show a downward trend in both work related fatal and non-fatal injuries, supporting the belief that businesses across New Zealand are making strides in improving work place health and safety. However WorkSafe still received 2,587 notifications of notifiable illness or injury in 2016.

What can you do to make sure you and the team stay safe in those first few weeks back from the holidays?

Firstly and above all else “harness the power of the team” by involving the whole team to assess and manage the risks to your business as you all come back to work. Don’t assume everyone is fully recharged and raring to go, a team approach can help get everyone on the same page and focused on health and safety.

Secondly checking individual and company Personal Protective Equipment, including hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves and footwear. It’s easy to misplace PPE over the holiday period and the she’ll be right attitude to creep back in to the work place. As a team check each person has the appropriate PPE and that it is expected before you need it.

While most of us a probably a bit grumpy about the wind and rain, we are getting a few bright sunny and hot days. Summer creates some additional risks, such as dehydration and fatigue, which if not managed can lead to potentially fatal accidents. We’ve all been resting up, with regular hydration breaks and maybe even the odd afternoon siesta, so it’s quite an adjustment back to the grind of a full day.

It’s a good idea to look at the physical attributes of the job, maybe go through the stretches you should perform for your role, as a team. Review your lifting technique, how often you should have a break from the computer screen or from driving in the car.

Finally don’t forget to include all the other risks in your discussions, fumes, dust, carbon monoxide and other airborne contaminants. It will be great to see the indicators continue to head in a positive direction, ensuring that we can all go home safe and healthy at the end of the day.

Much of this information has come from WorkSafe, for more information on health and safety visit http://www.worksafe.govt.nz/worksafe