Project Manager, Steve Griffith recently attended the the first two days of the 27th Safe System Engineering Workshop in order to refresh his knowledge around road safety, and in particular the ‘Safe System Approach’.

“The biggest learning for me,” Steve says, “was obtaining a better understanding of what the Network Safety Assessment is all about.”

He was also pleased to see that an increased emphasis on addressing factors other than roadside infrastructure are delivering positive results over time. Safer drivers, safer speeds and safer vehicles are all essential parts of the Safe System Approach. “It was refreshing to learn that a more targeted way of investing in safety schemes can be achieved by looking at a network holistically,” he said.

The Health and Safety Reform Bill, which will take effect later this year, will replace the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and the Machinery Act 1950. The legislation will change obligations under the Health and Safety Reform Bill and will affect designers, project managers, technical advisors, asset owners, operators, manufacturers, suppliers, importers and consultants.

On June 24, Resolve Group’s Mark Armstrong attended a speech by Wendi Croft, Safety Environment and Resilience Lead for AECOM New Zealand, in which she explored case law and experiences from around the globe, discussed the context of the change for us here in New Zealand, and interrogated the intent of the regulator in this significant shift. She also explored the thinking behind the change in risk management principles, provided a deeper understanding of ‘reasonably practicable’ in the new law, clarified the proposed requirements for design, discussed our liability and obligations to others as part of our daily practice, and found the true intent of the collaboration, design and whole of life aspects of the Health and Safety Reform Bill.

The most recent Health and Safety Reform Bill update can be found here.