Fonterra Whareroa
Fonterra’s Whareroa manufacturing site has around 1000 staff and last year 50 of them took the opportunity to attend Family Violence Awareness training sessions.
A focus on safety is paramount at Fonterra and we continually look to support the health and wellbeing of all our staff. As a co-operative, Fonterra recognise that family violence is an issue in the wider community and, therefore, may also be a topic for concern for some staff in the workplace.
In partnership with the Taranaki Safe Families Trust (TSFT) two training sessions were organised with an aim to give staff the skills and strategies they need to support their colleagues, friends and families through family violence.
We made it clear that we didn’t expect staff to find a resolution to the violence, but rather, to learn the skills required to manage the issue and direct people to appropriate community agencies.
The training was a very positive experience with a good level of interaction between participants and the facilitators. Feedback showed the sessions were well received and the aims of the course had been achieved.
Following the training, a smaller group of core staff (champions) had additional coaching from the TSFT team. This group continues to meet regularly and is available to staff for on-going support and advice.
New Plymouth District Council
New Plymouth District Council has a Wellness Programme in place to reinforce our commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for our employees. This on-going programme covers a variety of issues that affect our employee’s emotional and physical wellbeing and we have incorporated Family Violence as a component. It has been a joint objective to partner with Taranaki Safe Families to develop a plan for how to manage Family Violence and the impact it has on the workplace.
A guide to Family Violence for Managers and Team Leaders has been introduced, and presentation for all employees on Family Violence delivered, these are now available on the Council Intranet
Family Violence “It’s not Ok” posters are on display throughout Council building and wallet cards are included in Induction packs for new staff.
Our Healthy Staff Programme promotes Family Violence Prevention
We have incorporated Family Violence prevention information into Council’s Employee Assistance Programme, developed an Action Plan and carried out a Document review – all relevant NPDC document reviewed
In partnership with (TSFT) we developed a document re ideal characteristics for Champions of Family Violence within our workplace. Training has been conformed and will be delivered in March.
We feel sure that the positive effects of incorporating these aspects into our organisation will have long term benefits for staff, our organisation and the community.
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New Plymouth District Council Family Violence successes to date
Terms of Reference established with TSFT
The NPDC has a Wellness Programme in place to reinforce their commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. This ongoing programme covers a variety of issues that affect employee’s emotional and physical wellbeing and they have incorporated Family Violence as a component. It has been a joint objective to partner with Taranaki Safe Families Trust to develop a plan for how to manage Family Violence and the impact it has on the workplace.
A Guide to Family Violence for Managers and Team Leaders has been introduced and is available on the Council Intranet
The guide covers:
Understand the impact that family violence has on the workplace.
Assist them on how to identify when an employee is a victim of family violence.
Suggest appropriate approaches for when they do suspect an employee is a victim of family violence.
Provide suitable responses to an employee that has disclosed family violence.
Suggest an approach if they know that an employee is a perpetrator of family violence.
A presentation for all employees on Family Violence has been introduced and is available on Council’s intranet
The presentation covers:
The Law (Domestic Violence Act 1995) and that violence is “never ok.”
The types of violence that can occur.
The impacts on children and the elderly.
Family violence statistics
If family violence is being experienced - what help is available and is ok to seek help
Local support agencies/organisations contact information
Healthy relationships – what this looks like
Family Violence “It’s not Ok” Posters are displayed throughout Council building
Family Violence “It’s not OK” wallet cards are included in Induction packs for new staff
Healthy Staff Programme promotion of Family Violence Prevention
A one month focus annually on Family Violence prevention activities/education for staff
Incorporation of Family Violence prevention information into Council’s Employee Assistance Programme
Agreement with Stratos (EAP provider) to cover Family Violence prevention in the training presentation for managers and team leaders and the online programme information.
In addition to this Magnets have been printed with the NPDC Healthy lifestyles Logo bearing the message that “NPDC promotes violence free family relationships”. These have been distributed to all staff. Posters bearing the same message are being printed for internal distribution.
The focus is now on identifying and training champions. More in depth training will be delivered to these staff at a later date, and ongoig support will continue to be provided through the employers group.
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Bound by a common cause and shared values, the Taranaki Safe Families and Action on Alcohol Team have forged a new partnership to bring the Blow the Whistle campaign to Taranaki.
Blow the Whistle provides an opportunity for communities and the sporting sector, to work together on raising awareness of family Violence, using the language of sport to drive home the message that help is available and we all have a role to play in keeping families safe.
Over 30 Sports Bars and Clubs throughout Taranaki have put their hands up to support this family violence campaign, by using the resources in their premises, being run nationwide leading up to the Rugby World Cup.
Images of sports star ambassadors Richard Kahui, Liam Messam, Jenny May Coffin, Peter McGlashan, Paul Henare, Melodie Robinson, Josh Kronfeld and Ruben Wiki will help send a clear message throughout the country.
12000 coasters and several hundred posters have been distributed to Taranaki sports bars and clubs.
While we hope that families and communities have an enjoyable, safe time celebrating throughout the tournament, we want to ensure that anyone experiencing violence has access to information and the support they need.
By being involved with such a positive campaign, we can continue to raise awareness and make a difference.
Along with these resources, the number of Family violence incidents which Police have attended in Taranaki in the previous week were displayed in Saturdays Daily News, as a scorecard image, on the sports page.
The campaign ran Taranaki wide from the middle of August to the end of September, with premises from Urenui to Hawera promoting the messages.
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NPiS and Sport Taranaki want to help rest homes establish and maintain their residents' exercise programmes so for a limited time, Sport Taranaki exercise professionals will be available to assist facilities that register their residents through Green Prescription. For more information on this initiative, talk to Nicole at Sport Taranaki 06 759 0930.
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Taranaki Safe Families is supporting the club to use the language of sport to drive home the message that “Family Violence is not Ok”, we all have a role to play in keeping families safe and help is available. Family violence is a community problem, it affects us all. Crisis services can only do so much – we all need to stand up and say it’s not OK and take action to stop the violence.
Signage has been erected at the clubrooms and all players have been presented with Tee shirts’ bearing the message “Violence is not our game”, at their prize giving on Sunday 7th August.
We’re using the healthy aspects of sport to get people thinking about how they can help reduce and prevent family violence.
Western Suburbs were chosen as they have members of all ages and backgrounds and actively support healthy lifestyles. They promote positive role modelling and strong community participation. Their clubrooms are utilised on a regular basis for activities other than League as they believe a positive environment leads to greater achievement in sport and in life. Members are encouraged to participate in Whanau days and the club is central to the community.
People may think that we don’t have much family violence in Taranaki but they would be wrong. In the June Police attended 113 incidents of family violence in the New Plymouth District, of those 70% involved children who either experienced or witnessed the violence,” 52% of calls received at the New Plymouth police station are family violence related.
We aim to work with other sports clubs across the region, encouraging them to speak to their players about non-violent lifestyles. We congratulate Western Suburbs for taking the lead and being the first club in North Taranaki to support this initiative.
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In New Plymouth, 1,887 people aged 25 to 64 years were injured in home falls. In South Taranaki, the figure was 438 and in Stratford, 191. Many were off work for weeks and had difficulty caring for their families.
Most falls happen when people are doing everyday things like walking up or down steps, rushing to answer the phone or working on a DIY project. The most common place to take a tumble was the garden with 78,000 people nationally falling outside the home. The bathroom was one of the most dangerous rooms inside the home, with 11,000 people nationally hurt after slipping.
NPiS would love to know what you've done to improve safety at your place - and you could win $100 voucher! Check newsletter # 65 for details of our safety week competition and give it a go!
The other schools participating this year included New Plymouth Girls High, who came third, Waitara , Stratford, Spotswood and, of course, a team from the host school, Francis Douglas Memorial College.
Once again Gerard Karalus and his team from Agriculture New Zealand did a great job organising the event with support from all involved including Taratahi, the Police, Red Cross, ACC, BeSafe Taranaki, Francis Douglas and New Plymouth injurySafe.
The day finished with a talk from Kevin Richards on the impact a serious farm injury had on his life, which gave the students food for thought and motivation to put safety first.
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Taranaki Safe Families had the privilege of hosting Lesley Elliott in New Plymouth on Wednesday 27th July
Lesley was witness to her 22yr old daughter Sophie’s murder at the hands of her ex-boyfriend Clayton Weatherston in 2008.
Not only did Lesley and her Family have to endure the grief associated with the death of a treasured daughter but three and a half years of uncertainty during the criminal justice process.
We encouraged people to attend this presentation, especially Mothers and Daughter. It is important that we become more fully informed regarding relationship violence and the signs that may be there, which so often can be missed.
Lesley, a neo-natal intensive care staff nurse, has written a book with family friend and former policeman Bill O’Brien – a veteran champion for victim justice – and examines with vivid honesty the events that led to that terrible moment when the lives of her family changed.
Copies of Lesley’s book “Sophie’s Legacy” are available at Paper plus with proceeds going to the Sophie Elliott Foundation, that Lesley has established which aims to cause a profound shift in New Zealand’s attitude towards relationship violence. The Foundation is committed to developing a school-based programme which will better prepare our girls for their emotional lives so they can look after themselves at a time when they are most vulnerable.
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The Taranaki Construction Safety group entered the Leadership category, recognising the leadership of an industry sector or region. The group's entry covered the collaborative nature of the group, the range of activities undertaken in response to concerns and issues highlighted by participating members and the recognition of skills maintenance for the Licensed Building Practitioners.
The Award is superb recognition of all the partners and contributors to the Taranaki safety group and their contribution to safety in the construction industry.
]]>After a closer look at Safekids burns prevention resources, the nurses began planning how they will get the key safety messages across to families. They hope to deliver their initiatives to parents and care givers over the next few weeks through early childhood centres.
Over 200 children under five years old are hospitalised in New Zealand each year as a result of burn injuries and around six of these are Taranaki children. Many of the injuries are caused by contact with hot drinks and foods and about 40% of New Zealand homes have dangerously hot water.
Hot water should be no higher than 55 degrees Celsius at the tap.
Although fire causes fewer injuries than contact with hot substances, it leads to most burn related fatalities and the students were shocked to hear that there is a house fire in New Zealand on average every three hours. The key preventative message there is that smoke alarms should be installed around the house and checked regularly.
Many of the students were able to identify a simple change that they could make to keep everyone in their family safer at home.
]]>The event was organised by a team of local rider instructors, retailers, mechanics and road safety partners. Participant numbers were capped and there is enough interest to run another training day soon.
Riders spent some time with mechanics checking on bike basics and looking at protective gear. They also worked through some video scenarios aimed at refreshing their knowledge of the road rules and techniques for managing hazards. A couple of hours were spent on the track, honing specific skills before setting off on a road ride to put it all into practice.
Some immediate feedback has been received from riders. Says one, "I am involved in the safety industry, and feel compelled to write and say what a fantastic and utterly enjoyable day you guys put on."
And another: "I'm really pleased with the refresher and reminders, plus the odd bits of new thinking I was able to absorb yesterday, then put in practice during the rides and especially on the way home through those back roads. I have my confidence back and I'd really missed it."
]]>The Fit to Work seminar presented by the Taranaki branch of NZISM in collaboration with NZOHNA was well attended by approximately 50 members and other interested people. Feedback from those who attended applauded presenters for their “real life” take on the topic at hand. The insight provided by Stuart Trundle (Venture Taranaki CEO) on the regional perspective of the economic reality is “very relevant and gave a new perspective” on being fit to work in the Naki. Dr Jim McLeod’s medical perspective addressed several “grey areas” with practical advice, pointing out the importance of a hands-on and multidisciplinary approach to ensure people are fit for the jobs they are employed to do. Paul Drake from Taranaki By Products (SBI group) admitted that the hardest part to implement a Drug and Alcohol Policy to ensure people are fit to work at all times was to take the first step and make the decision. He recognised the services and role played by NZDDA (who had a display at the event) in achieving bottom-line results that was hard to imagine at the start of the process. The ACC team unfolded the realities of expected ACC changes in the immediate future and underlined collaboration between everyone involved in supporting those injured to return ‘fit to work’. The morning was concluded with an interactive and entertaining “Warrant of Fitness” test performed on some members of the group: Antony Jones a local physiotherapist shared typical WOF assessments performed on individuals already employed to raise awareness and motivate staff to keep themselves focused on staying fit to work. NZISM is committed in growing the health and safety profession and the Taranaki branch is proud to play its part in working towards an injury free region. The branch will continue to respond to the continuous professional development (CPD) needs of members. Why don’t you join us! Visit www.nzism.co.nz to find out more.
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Andrew Bell started Bell Building with his brother in 2007. Their business planning and networking has paid off with a sucessful and prize winning business. At the Chamber of Commerce awards in 2010 Bell Building was awarded the "New Business" award and was commmended for their Health and safety. Andrew's account of his personal experience was a reminder that safety needs our attention all the time every day.
Ross Gilmour is no stranger to Taranaki having previously provided training sessions at a number of workplaces. As an organisational psychologist Ross has the experience and knowledge to offer a number of different aspects relating to safety in the wokrplace. His presentation on The Impact of Questions gave the audience another tool to add to their toolkit for managing safety in their workplaces. His message was put simply: "People respect not what their leader expects, but what their leader inspects". Our questions and interest on a day to day basis will give those around us the perceived focus. If we dont talk about safety but constantly ask about deadlines then the result may be not what was planned as safety becomes secondary to output.
The audience contributed their own list of barriers and the toolbox sessions planned by the Construction Safety group will follow up on some of these issues.
]]>New Plymouth District Council coordinates the strategy on behalf of a wide number of partners, but NPDC’s Craig Campbell-Smart states “it’s the collective action and responsibility that makes for the comprehensive programme that really makes the difference”.
“By taking a broad view of what contributes to alcohol related harm, our partners are able to identify priorities and gaps, and because of the partnership approach, are often able to commit resources towards them.”
The strategy development has previously won the prodigious 'Joined-Up Local Government' award, presented annually by the society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM), recognising the strong relationship management and community ownership of the strategy.
“What we now see is that this approach has made tangible differences to actual safety and the perception of safety in New Plymouth District environs that are impacted by alcohol intoxication.”
“The annual report we’ve produced achieves the dual function of evaluating the effectiveness of the strategy and also assisting our partners with future delivery and planning through understanding success factors and challenges.”
Four broad areas have been assessed within the Annual Report to measure the level of impact achieved from the more than 30 actions focused on alcohol harm reduction.
Increase in the level and effectiveness of partnership work, including a Memorandum of Understanding agreed between key agencies.
Increased detection and early intervention by regulatory agencies and Police have resulted in reductions in the amount of harm caused.
Licencees are more responsible and compliant re serving alcohol.
Positive change in public perception achieved regarding personal safety within the New Plymouth CBD environment.
The flagship Mellow Yellow Project has continued support of city bars and clubs, door staff, CCTV volunteers, Police and NPDC, with the project attracting Ministry of Justice funding.
BeSafe Taranaki collaborative of Taranaki industries supports development of a drug and alcohol protocol for alcohol and drug free workplaces.
You can view the full report New Plymouth District Alcohol Strategy 2010 Annual Report on line.
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