Health & Safety

Company Commitment to Health and Safety

A PCBU is defined as follows:

a person conducting a business or undertaking or PCBU- means a person conducting a business or undertaking-

• whether the person conducts a business or undertaking alone or with others; and
• (ii) whether or not the business or undertaking is conducted for profit or gain"

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 Part 1, s18, ss17

A Representative is the Representative of the PCBU. A Worker is defined as follows:

"a Worker- means a person who carries out work in any capacity for a PCBU, including work as:

• An employee, a contractor or subcontractor, an employee of a contractor or subcontractor
• An employee of a labour hire company or an outworker
• An apprentice or trainee, or a person gaining work experience
• A volunteer worker"

Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 Part 1, s19

PCBU is responsible for: (For the purposes of this policy, it includes Managers, Directors and CEOs)

• Taking overall responsibility and accountability for the protection of workers' work‐related health and safety.
• Promoting safe work practices, with the aim of prevention of incidents as its goal, communicating the importance of conforming to the OH&S management system.
• Supporting the safe and early return to work of any injured employee.
• Annually review of health & safety systems for adequacy, effectiveness and changes required to achieve this.
• Commitment to annual self‐assessment of our Health & Safety, so we can make continuous improvements.
• The overall development and implementation of PREMIUM CLEAN 's Health and Safety System, ensuring and promoting continual improvement, by systematically identifying and taking actions to address nonconformities, opportunities, and work‐related hazards and risks, including system deficiencies.
• Directing and supporting any workers to contribute to the effectiveness of the OH&S management system.
• Ensuring full compliance with HSWA, Codes of Practices, and relevant Standards, Guidelines or Legislation.
• Ensuring policy and objectives are established and compatible with the strategic direction of the business.
• Ensuring the integration of the OH&S management system processes and requirements into the business processes.
• Supporting other relevant management roles to demonstrate their leadership as it applies to their areas of responsibility.
• Ensuring accurate reporting and recording of health and safety issues.
• Risk identification and controls.
• Provision of resources to achieve objectives set by the organisation (results to be achieved), which can be strategic, tactical or operational. They can relate to different disciplines such as financial, health & safety or environmental goals and can apply at different levels (such as strategic, organisation‐wise, project, product and process).
• Ensure that the responsibilities, accountabilities and authorities for relevant roles within the OH&S management system are assigned and communicated at all levels within the organisation and maintained as documented information

Information and Communication:

PREMIUM CLEAN will determine the need for internal and external information and communications relevant to the OH&S management system, including:

• On what it will inform about and communicate
• When to inform and communicate
• Who to inform and with whom to communicate

  • Internally among the various levels and functions of the organisation
  • With contractors and visitors to the workplace
  • With other external or interested parties

• How to inform and communicate
• How it will receive, maintain documented information on, and respond to relevant communications

PREMIUM CLEAN will define the objectives to be achieved by informing and communicating and will evaluate whether those objectives have been met.

They will consider the diversity aspects (for example language, culture, literacy, disability), where they exist, when considering its information and communication needs.

PREMIUM CLEAN will ensure that, when appropriate, the views of relevant external interested parties about matters pertinent to the OH&S management system are considered.

The Organisation is responsible for:

Determining external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and that affect its ability to achieve the intended outcome(s) of its OH&S management system.

• It will determine:
• The other interested parties, in addition to its workers, that are relevant to the OH&S management system;
• The relevant needs and expectations (i.e. requirements) of workers and these other parties;
• Which of these needs and expectations become applicable legal requirements or other requirements. Note: it is important to determine the needs and expectations of managerial and non‐managerial workers.

The organisation will determine the boundaries and applicability of the OH&S management system to establish its scope. Once the scope is defined, the OH&S will include activities, products, and services within the organisation's control or influence that can impact the organisation's OH&S performance.

The Health and Safety Representative (HSR) is responsible for:

• Ensuring that each job progresses safely.
• Overall safety. They have a specific responsibility and have received special training, sufficient to do the job.
• The development, review and implementation of PREMIUM CLEAN 's Health and Safety System.
• Direct two‐way line of communication and promotion of the Health and Safety System, within or outside of PREMIUM CLEAN structure. Monitoring any measures taken by management, regarding health & safety.
• Providing access to staff, and ensuring that codes of practice, standards, WorkSafe NZ issues and other health and safety legal requirements are current.
• Risk identification and controls.
• Health and safety induction and training.
• Ensuring that the incident and near miss reporting procedure is followed accurately.
• Ensuring reporting and recording procedures are adhered to.
• Collation of incident data, to establish any trends.
• Communicating to all staff any health and safety related changes which may affect them.
• Informing staff of whom their safety management and staff representatives are.

Each employee/temporary employee/contractor/sub‐contractor is responsible for:

• Being familiar with and complying with all health and safety conditions of their employment contract, if applicable, and PREMIUM CLEAN's Health and Safety Policy. This includes using all personal protective equipment provided, and other safety equipment and devices as required.
• Ensuring the health and safety of themselves and others.
• Being actively involved in promoting the Health and Safety System, which includes:

  • Identifying and reporting potential risks in the workplace.
  • Identifying OHS opportunities; a circumstance or set of circumstances that can lead to improvement of OHS performance (performance being a measurable result, related to the effectiveness of the prevention of injury and ill health to workers and the provision of safe and healthy workplaces).
  • Prompt reporting of all incidents and near misses to the appropriate person.
  • Discouraging and preventing other workers from working in an unsafe manner, if necessary.
  • Taking an active role in PREMIUM CLEAN's rehabilitation plan, and if applicable participating in health and safety training.
  • Being involved in the development of the policies and in risk identification affects them.
  • Nominating a safety Representative to represent them.

Drug and Alcohol Testing

To ensure the maintenance of this policy, all workers may be subject to random drug and alcohol testing or when there is "reasonable cause to suspect".

Drug testing may be required where, by way of observation or other reasonable methods including disclosure, a worker's behaviour or work performance indicates the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The introduction of the Drug and Alcohol Testing Programme is about altering behaviour and raising drug and alcohol awareness, to create a safer work environment.

The programme is not intended to create a work environment that is harsh, unjust, or unfair. However, due to the importance of ensuring safety in the workplace, workers who breach the drug and alcohol policy may be disciplined.

At all times during the implementation of the drug and alcohol testing process, management and staff will conduct themselves in a courteous manner toward workers and will respect the worker's rights. Any member of management who acts without reasonable cause, or who behaves overzealously in the implementation of these procedures will be subject to disciplinary action.

The method of investigation is as follows:

• An observation must be made, or information is given, which indicates that the worker has behaved in a way that indicates a breach of this policy and/or which may put themselves and other workers at risk of their health and safety.
• The worker will be asked to explain their behaviour. If no reasonable or satisfactory response is given, the worker may be asked to undergo an examination at the local medical centre or other independent testing company or organisation, to ascertain whether they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The worker may also be asked to go home until the end of the day or shift.
• On the worker's return to work and following receipt of the results of any tests, the Managing Director will interview the worker. The worker has a right to have a witness present.
• Allegations may be made to the worker and the worker will be asked to respond. Depending on the response, further investigations may take place to assist PREMIUM CLEANin determining the facts and/or appropriate disciplinary action to be taken.
• A worker who refuses to undergo testing will be regarded in the same manner as a failed/positive test and may find it difficult to provide evidence to disprove an allegation that they have breached this policy.
• In the absence of medical evidence to disprove an allegation, PREMIUM CLEAN will make any decision it feels is reasonable and justified, considering observation, witness statements, and any other sources of evidence that are relevant to the investigation.

All reasonable efforts will be made to ensure confidentiality regarding personal information about workers.

 Company Commitment to The Environment

PREMIUM CLEAN is committed to helping provide an environmentally friendly workplace for all Workers (employees, temporary employees, contractors, sub‐contractors, volunteers), visitors, and others who may be affected by the operations of PREMIUM CLEAN.

Management is responsible for:

• Promoting environmentally friendly practices, with sustainability as its goal.
• Reviewing the Environmental Policy annually, for effectiveness, improvements, and performance and any changes which may be required.
• The overall development and implementation of PREMIUM CLEAN's Environmental Policy.
• To ensure that the Environmental Policy is understood at all levels of PREMIUM CLEAN.
• The appointment of an Environmental Representative, to implement the goals of the Policy.
• Provision of funding, resources, and training to achieve objectives.

The Environmental Representative is responsible for:

• Ensuring that each job is completed in an environmentally friendly manner.
• The implementation, maintenance, and review of PREMIUM CLEAN's Environmental Policy.
• Overall environmental management. They have a specific responsibility and will have appropriate training.
• Ensuring the servicing of all vehicles owned and operated by PREMIUM CLEAN.
• Ensuring that waste is minimized and disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
• Making sure any concerns by affected or interested parties are considered, when developing any processes which may affect the environment.
• Ensuring that environmental management information is available to all staff.
• Ensuring reporting of any environmental incidents.
• Following up on adjustments required, following an incident.
• Environmental management induction and training.
• Ensuring that objectives set are achieved and setting further objectives.
• Communicating and promoting the environmental goals and objectives within and outside PREMIUM CLEAN's structure.

Each employee/temporary employee/contractor/sub‐contractor is responsible for:

• Being familiar with and complying with PREMIUM CLEAN's Environmental Policy and all conditions of their employment contract.
• Ensuring they are promoting environmental management in their workplace and any by‐product of it.
• Being actively involved in promoting and implementing the Environmental Policy, which includes:

  • Identifying and reporting any environmental incidents in the workplace.
  • Minimization of waste, and the disposing of waste in an environmentally friendly manner.

Being involved in the development of the Environmental Policy and any factors that affect them.

Incidents

All incidents (includes injuries and near misses) are to be logged into this document and the document is to be signed off quarterly, regardless of any incidents that have occurred. This is to ensure regular monitoring is taking place.

Incident Reporting and Investigation

An incident is an occurrence(s) arising out of or during work that could or does result in injury or ill health (also called an accident). An incident where no injury and ill health occurs but has the potential to do so may be referred to as a "near-miss", "near‐hit" or "close‐call".

All incidents and near‐miss incidents must be investigated. The depth of the investigation is determined by the severity of the occurrence. This process applies whether the incident occurred on this site or on a customer's site.

The investigation is carried out immediately or as soon as possible after the occurrence. There may be one or more non-conformities (non‐fulfillment of a requirement), or there may be no non‐conformity.

The immediate supervisor and or Health and Safety Representative will carry out the initial investigation to:

• Establish the cause. Assess whether serious misconduct was involved.
• Compile an accurate record of the event. Ensure that the investigation covers a description of the site, the operation, processes, plant/equipment (including PPE), events, and people present or who were involved in the accident, incident, or near miss. Interview all witnesses.
• Carry out a complete site examination, with photographic evidence or description and/or diagrams and documentation.
• Define action, responsibility, and measures to prevent reoccurrence, within a predetermined time frame.
• Update the risk register, where necessary. Ensure it is reviewed for new risks identified because of the accident/incident/near miss and also existing risk contributing factor(s) and management controls.
• Supply the manager with documents and reports, so that they can review the report, carry out any further investigation if necessary and ensure that action is taken to avoid a recurrence, then sign off the report.
• In the case of a notifiable event, ensure that any injured party and assistants cannot be subjected to further injury by (if safe and practicable) removing them to a safe distance from the cause of the incident and then have a trained first aider attend to the injured party. An ambulance should be called if there are any doubts about the severity of the injury.
• In the case of a notifiable injury, management or the Health and Safety Representative is required to contact the nearest WorkSafe NZ office as soon as is practicable. (Or at least within 24 hours).
• DO NOT alter or move any machinery or equipment (unless it may cause immediate danger to others) and tape off the area of the incident. Machinery or equipment cannot be used again until it has been cleared by WorkSafe NZ.
• Notifiable Event forms must be filled out and sent to WorkSafe NZ within seven days. This can be done by completing the appropriate online notification form on the WorkSafe website worksafe.govt.nz/notify‐worksafe
• Make inquiries as to the extent of the injuries and of the potential of any long‐term effects.

Process to Review a Critical Event and/or a Change in Work Procedures or Policy

• Ensure that the investigation has identified the contributing risks whose management controls are to be reviewed, or that any newly identified risks are added to the risk register with their respective management controls defined.
• Verify that the corrective actions have been effective following the changes. If not, reassess what needs to happen to ensure effectiveness.
• Make enquiries as to the extent of the injuries to the employee and potential of any long‐term effects.
• Evidence that the risk register has been reviewed because of the investigation, with links of time and date of review which match the event that triggered the investigation.
• A review of any further training required is to be completed.
• Any staff to be made aware of the event and reason for changes to the policies, processes, equipment and/or the risk register. They are to be given the opportunity to discuss the event, to prevent reoccurrence.

Suggested minimum contents for a workplace first aid kit

Here is a list of recommended contents for first aid kits for workplaces with no special risk:

• a manual, giving general guidance on first aid
• individually wrapped moist wipes or saline solution
• 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work in question. Dressings may be of a specific type, for food handlers
• two sterile eye pads
• two individually wrapped triangular bandages (sterile) and clasps or safety pins to secure bandages
• two stretch bandages
• six medium sized, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 12cm x 12 cm
• two large, sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 18cm x 18cm
• two pairs of disposable gloves
• one resuscitation mask

This is a suggested contents list only. You may want to use equivalent items.

When you do your Needs Assessment you may identify a need for additional items. These could include:

• scissors
• adhesive strips or Band‐Aids for minor wound dressing
• non‐allergic adhesive tape
• disposable aprons
• forceps or tweezers, to remove foreign bodies
• plastic bags for waste disposal
• hand sanitiser

Ideally, these items are stored inside the first aid kit. But if necessary, they may be stored separately so long as they are available for use as required.

Suggested minimum contents for vehicle or lone worker's first aid kit

• a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid
• six individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work
• two individually wrapped triangular bandages (sterile)
• one stretch bandage
• clasps or safety pins to secure bandages
• one large, sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressing - approximately 18cm x 18cm
• one pair of disposable gloves
• one resuscitation mask

This is only a suggested contents list; equivalent items will be considered acceptable. This kit can be carried in individual belt pouches by people working alone.

Once the PCBU has completed their assessment of the first aid items required, a need for additional items may be identified. This could include, for example:

• scissors
• adhesive strips or Band‐Aids, for minor wound dressing
• non‐allergenic adhesive tape
• disposable aprons
• forceps or tweezers, to remove foreign bodies
• plastic bags for waste disposal
• individually wrapped moist wipes or saline solution

The contents of vehicle or lone worker first aid kits should be stocked from backup stock at the main work site. Consideration also needs to be given as to how mobile and lone workers can summon help if they are injured. Examples being the provision of mobile phones, radio access, GPS or a phone check‐in procedure.

First Aid Kits

Suggested minimum contents for a workplace first aid kit

Here is a list of recommended contents for first aid kits for workplaces with no special risk:

• a manual, giving general guidance on first aid
• individually wrapped moist wipes or saline solution
• 20 individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work in Dressings may be of a specific type, for food handlers
• two sterile eye pads
• two individually wrapped triangular bandages (sterile) and clasps or safety pins to secure bandages
• two stretch bandages
• six medium-sized, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 12cm x 12 cm
• two large, sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressings - approximately 18cm x 18cm
• two pairs of disposable gloves
• one resuscitation mask

This is a suggested contents list only. You may want to use equivalent items.

When you do your Needs Assessment you may identify a need for additional items. These could include:

• scissors
• adhesive strips or Band‐Aids for minor wound dressing
• non‐allergic adhesive tape
• disposable aprons
• forceps or tweezers, to remove foreign bodies
• plastic bags for waste disposal
• hand sanitizer

Ideally, these items are stored inside the first aid kit. But if necessary, they may be stored separately so long as they are available for use as required.

Suggested minimum contents for vehicle or lone worker's first aid kit

• a leaflet giving general guidance on first aid
• six individually wrapped sterile adhesive dressings (assorted sizes), appropriate to the type of work
• two individually wrapped triangular bandages (sterile)
• one stretch bandage
• clasps or safety pins to secure bandages
• one large, sterile, individually wrapped unmedicated wound dressing - approximately 18cm x 18cm
• one pair of disposable gloves
• one resuscitation mask

This is only a suggested contents list; equivalent items will be considered acceptable. This kit can be carried in individual belt pouches by people working alone.

Once the PCBU has completed their assessment of the first aid items required, a need for additional items may be identified. This could include, for example:

• scissors
• adhesive strips or Band‐Aids, for minor wound dressing
• non‐allergenic adhesive tape
• disposable aprons
• forceps or tweezers, to remove foreign bodies
• plastic bags for waste disposal
• individually wrapped moist wipes or saline solution

The contents of vehicle or lone worker first aid kits should be stocked from backup stock at the main work site. Consideration also needs to be given as to how mobile and lone workers can summon help if they are injured. Examples being the provision of mobile phones, radio access, GPS, or a phone check‐in procedure.

Emergency Plan and Procedures

Fire Warden Duties

If you discover a fire in the building:

1. Activate the Alarms.
2. Put on you Fire Warden Identifier (Vest, Hat or Arm Band).
3. Begin your patrol of the building and instruct all staff to evacuate immediately and proceed to the Assembly Point.
4. This is at:
5. Once you have reached the assembly point, conduct a roll call for the staff in your area.
6. Report to the Building Warden.

If the alarms activate without your knowledge, carry out tasks 2 to 5 above.

Your target time for a complete evacuation is a maximum of 2:00 minutes.

The 30 Second Rules are:

1. Fire will double in size every 30 Seconds. This is without any accelerants.
2. It will take you 30 seconds from the time you discover a fire, activate the alarms, get the correct fire extinguisher and return to the fire.
3. 30 seconds is the approximate life of an extinguisher once it has been activated.

Use the Correct Firefighting equipment for the type of fire:

• Type A ‐ Wood, Paper, Textiles - Use a water based extinguisher (Hose or Stored Pressure).
• Type B - Liquids (Oil, Petrol, Chemicals) - Use a Dry Powder or CO2 extinguisher.
• Type E - Electrical Equipment - Use a CO2 or Dry Powder (Must be labelled ABE) extinguisher.
• Type F - Cooking oil/fat.

Fire extinguishers can be easily recognised by the colour band on them:

• Red - Water/water‐based
• White - Dry powder
• Black - CO2 (Carbon dioxide)
• Blue - Foams
• Beige - Wet chemical

Look for the labels on the fire extinguisher for the type of fire it is most effective on.

Never put yourself at the risk of getting burnt or trapped by the fire.

Heat + Oxygen + Fuel = FIRE

N.B. Trial Evacuations are to be conducted at 6‐month intervals or 6 months from the previous evacuation (real or trial)

Tsunami

The following rules apply:

• The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management will issue a national warning on the television and radio.
• Move inland to high ground.
• Stay away from streams and rivers.
• Never go to the coast.

Volcanic Eruption

The following rules apply:

• Listen to the radio for information and advice.
• Conserve water and save in containers.
• Stay inside as much as possible.
• Wear a mask and goggles if you are going outside.
• If possible, keep clothes worn outside separate from clothes worn inside.
• Avoid basements and or confined spaces as gases can accumulate.
• If possible, keep the roof and guttering free of ash to avoid the roof collapsing under the weight.
• Unless necessary do not leave the building unless advised by Civil Defence Emergency Management officials.
• Turn your electricity and gas off at the mains.

Medical Emergency

The following rules apply:

• Do not move the injured/ill person unless they are in danger of further injury and you are not endangering yourself.
• Have someone get the first aider to attend to the injured/ill person.
• Call an ambulance if required.

Earthquakes

The following rules apply:

• Store heavy items near or on the floor.
• Implement the recognized self‐protection process of:
• "Drop - Cover ‐ Hold".
• Know how to turn off water, electricity and gas.
• Have adequate fire extinguishers for small fires.
• Have a survival kit.
• Treat injuries.
• If you are in a damaged building, try to get outside into an open safe place.

All staff and visitors MUST follow the instructions of the Emergency Wardens during an Evacuation.

Emergency Contacts

First Aiders: One is required for every ten staff members and every site crew. Two per 25 workers in moderate-risk workplaces. Assess company size, level of risk in the workplace and assign first aiders appropriately. The first aiders should be chosen based on availability during the week, skills, interest to do so, and prior qualifications and experience. They must hold a current first-aid certificate.

Kits required: at least one in each area of work, including vehicles. At least one on each floor. They must be clearly identified using a white cross on a green background.

Hazardous

PREMIUM CLEANis committed to ensuring full compliance with all hazardous substances requirements:

1. Keep an Inventory - Hazardous Substances Register (Policy page 4.6)
2. Use and Share Safety Data Sheets (SDS) - formerly referred to as MSDS, these are ideally sourced from your hazardous substance supplier, at the time of purchase. Read each document and note down important information about each; properties, how to store it, PPE requirements, and first aid information. Anyone who uses that substance must be familiar with the SDS and it must be easily accessible to all staff. Document the SDS date on your Hazardous Substances Register.
3. Conduct a Risk Assessment (Policy page 4.7) - can you substitute another substance for the same job? How can you reduce exposure to risks caused?
4. Inform and Train your Workers - complete the Staff Skill Level Training Sheet to show this has been done.
5. Prepare for Emergencies - have a plan outlining how you will deal with a hazardous substances emergency

e.g. someone is burned or poisoned, a fire or leak occurs.

6. Correctly Label Hazardous Substance Containers, including Waste
7. Install Warning Signs - Place signs where substances are used and stored e.g. entrance to property, building and rooms where it is located and used. Signs must be clearly visible and state; hazardous substances present, general type of hazard, what to do in an emergency.
8. Make sure Storage Areas and Containers are Safe - Store only what you need, keep incompatible substances separate, use appropriate containers and label everything clearly. Depending on the substances you use, you may need special storage cabinets and a compliance certificate.
9. Take Care with Hazardous Waste - If waste is hazardous e.g. toxic or corrosive, you must treat the waste in the same way as you treat any other hazardous substance with similar properties. Including: recording it in inventory, correctly storing and labeling, ensuring staff working with it have the knowledge, experience, and supervision to do so safely.
10. Provide Protective Gear - You must make sure workers have the correct clothing and equipment, to use the substance. You must also ensure they know how to correctly use and maintain it

For further information on hazardous substances refer to www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz