Facebook Linkedin Youtube
Home Blog Page 984

Ecostore commits $323k to ‘cultural shift’ in safety

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

AI technology with real time hazard alerts is central to a new safety commitment WorkSafe New Zealand has accepted from the well-known household brand, Ecostore.

It comes after a worker suffered chemical burns to his eyes while making dishwasher powder in March 2023. The worker was injured while trying to shut off a pressurised hose that had come loose and was spraying hazardous liquid into the air at Ecostore’s factory in Pakuranga, Auckland.

WorkSafe investigated and found an inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly eyewear, staff training gaps for chemical handling, and lack of emergency management.

In response to the incident Ecostore is making what it calls an “holistic cultural shift” on health and safety worth over $323,000. The company applied to WorkSafe for an enforceable undertaking, which is a binding commitment to bring about health and safety improvements. It includes:

  • Installation of CCTV systems incorporating AI technology to identify situations or events that could indicate risks to workers’ health and safety.
  • A new working platform for liquids manufacturing, and other new controls to minimise workers’ exposure to risk and improve health outcomes.
  • Reparation to the victim.
  • Funding a pilot programme by Blind Low Vision NZ to educate and support businesses employing visually impaired staff, with a focus on workplace health and safety, inclusion, and wellbeing.
  • Development and delivery of a webinar with the Employers and Manufacturers Association, highlighting the incident and key learnings.

“Businesses must manage their risks and chemical safety is non-negotiable. We are pleased to see Ecostore putting things right and being a change-maker in the manufacturing and distribution sector,” says WorkSafe’s regulatory support manager, Mark Horgan.

WorkSafe will regularly monitor progress on the agreed commitments and can resume prosecution of Ecostore if necessary.

“Ecostore’s investment exceeds what even the courts may have ordered in penalties. This demonstrates a substantial commitment to health and safety, with benefits circled back to the community, workers, and industry,” says Mark Horgan.

Manufacturing is one of New Zealand’s most dangerous sectors, which is why it’s a focus of WorkSafe’s new strategy. Our priority plan for manufacturing notes exposure to hazardous substances as a specific source of high harm. WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe.

Read the Ecostore decision document

Read our guide on hazardous substances risk management [PDF, 76 KB]

Statement from Ecostore’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Tony Acland

Safety is a cornerstone of Ecostore and we deeply regret the serious harm experienced on our site. We acknowledge the professional and personal impact such an experience has on an individual, as well as the wider team.

We recognise the importance of going beyond just compliance, and we take our responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our employees incredibly seriously. We are committed to continuous improvement in this space and have already implemented numerous advancements. We also offer an anonymous reporting channel so our team can feel empowered to share all concerns.

Ecostore sees the Enforceable Undertaking not only as an opportunity to improve our processes but as a chance to contribute to industry-wide, best-practice policy that improves the safety of everyone working in manufacturing. We will also engage with Blind Low Vision NZ to support visually impaired workers in finding pathways into productive work with a focus on their wellbeing and safety.

As a New Zealand business, we are dedicated to maintaining our high standards of safety for all of Aotearoa and are hopeful that sharing our health and safety learnings with other manufacturers will have a real impact on raising awareness and improving the culture in similar workplaces.

Media contacts

For WorkSafe: media@worksafe.govt.nz

For Ecostore: Kate Grant, kate@nsprltd.com or 027 422 0079 

MIL OSI

Employment indicators: November 2024 – Stats NZ information release

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Employment indicators: November 2024 – 13 January 2025 – Employment indicators provide an early indication of changes in the labour market.

Key facts

Changes in the seasonally adjusted filled jobs for the November 2024 month (compared with the October 2024 month) were:

  • all industries – up 0.3 percent (5,980 jobs) to 2.36 million filled jobs
  • primary industries – down 0.4 percent (436 jobs)
  • goods-producing industries – down 0.2 percent (836 jobs)
  • service industries – up 0.3 percent (6,230 jobs).

Files:

MIL OSI

Weather News – Cooler than usual temperatures to continue across Aotearoa New Zealand – MetService

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0
Source: MetService

Covering period of Monday 13th – Thursday 16th January – MetService is forecasting settled and mostly dry weather for much of New Zealand this week, with little to no rain forecast for most. Cool temperatures continue in the east early in the week. However, warmer, humid air with rain may move onto the country as we near the end of the week.  

MetService Meteorologist, Surprise Mhlongo said, “Cool temperatures are expected to stick around this week, is expected especially in the eastern areas thanks to the southerly flow driven by a high pressure system that’s currently dominating New Zealand. However, western areas and the lower South Island continue to be the best places to be this summer, with Wanaka temperatures forecast to average 28°C this week while the West Coast basks in sunshine.”

Although it will be cooler, mainly fine weather is forecast for much of the country.

“Even though there could be days of a few showers in some places during the morning and afternoon, it will be a mainly fine week for the southern North Island, with dry but cold evenings.”, added Mhlongo.

Towards the end of the week, A complex low pressure system from the north is set to bring rain and warmer temperatures.  

“A band of rain and strong warm northeasterly winds may move onto Northland on Friday, gradually spreading to Auckland during the day. At this point, there is still some uncertainty on the amount of rain that we might see there, so we advise everyone to keep up with our local forecasts for your weekend plans”, said Mhlongo.

MIL OSI

First Responders – Black Jack Fire Update #6

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Firefighters supported by helicopters are making steady progress strengthening containment lines on the flanks of the Black Jack fire in the Coromandel Peninsula.
Four crews are fighting the fire on the eastern and southern flanks and three helicopters are attacking the fire on the steep and inaccessible western flank.
Incident Controller Shane Bromley said that weather conditions were relatively favourable this morning but will be more challenging this afternoon and tomorrow, with higher temperatures, lower relative humidity and stronger winds.
The safety of firefighters and the public remained the top priority.
Access to Black Jack Road continues to be under stop-go management while firefighting operations are underway to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. The walking track through the fireground will remain closed until the fire is fully extinguished.
Shane Bromley said Fire and Emergency was working closely with iwi and the Department of Conservation, and eleven DOC firefighters are working on the fireground today.
Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone team will carry out thermal imaging tonight to identify hotspots that firefighters will target tomorrow. It is likely to take several days to fully extinguish the fire.

MIL OSI

Heritage – Waka found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The partial remains of a waka have been found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island.
“We are very grateful to the local family for informing us of the find and caring for the exposed waka and recovered pieces. They have been instrumental in securing the site and in the ongoing monitoring of the waka” said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hononga Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Manatū Taonga has been engaging closely with landowners, Hokotehi Moriori Trust, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Moriori Imi Settlement Trust, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai to ensure that the recovery and conservation of the waka is undertaken appropriately. Manatū Taonga has also engaged archaeologists, conservators and other professionals to support this work.
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has issued an archaeological authority to Manatū Taonga to allow for the recovery of the visible pieces of the waka that remain in situ from January 2025. The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai is the landowner of the site where the waka was found and has a regional team on the ground who has and will continue to support the response.
Heritage New Zealand spokesperson Dean Whiting, Kaihautū said “As the regulator of archaeological processes, we are working with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to have an archaeological authority in place to ensure the recovery of critical information while respecting the involvement of imi and iwi. With the vulnerability of the waka to the elements, time is of the essence, and we are committed to facilitating its careful investigation and recovery.”
“Now that the recovery of the waka is underway, the role of Manatū Taonga is to engage with imi and iwi on the processes detailed in the Protected Objects Act 1975. We will work alongside them to provide oversight and support for matters relating to the care, custody and conservation of the waka,” said Glenis Philip-Barbara.
“Our focus is on being guided by imi and iwi to ensure that the waka is protected for the benefit of future generations and is allowed to tell its own story.”
Manatū Taonga has issued a public notice on its website which gives interested parties 60 days to apply for ownership of the waka under the Protected Objects Act 1975.

MIL OSI

Home consents up 4.8 percent in the month of November – Stats NZ media and information release: Building consents issued: November 2024

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Home consents up 4.8 percent in the month of November – 13 January 2025 – There were 3,100 new homes consented in New Zealand in November 2024, up 4.8 percent compared with November 2023, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Of these, there were 1,402 stand-alone houses consented, down 4.1 percent compared with November 2023, and 1,698 multi-unit homes consented, up 14 percent over the same period.

“While the number of homes consented each month has fluctuated, the trend has remained relatively steady for the last year,” economic indicators spokesperson Michael Heslop said.

MIL OSI

Infinity Financial Advisory Unveils Enhanced Digital Capabilities to Transform Client Financial Planning Experience

By
MIL OSI
-
0

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2025 – Infinity Financial Advisory is pleased to announce the launch of the i-NITIATE® Client App 2.0, an upgraded platform designed to improve the wealth management experience for its clients. This new app provides easy access to your financial data, and insightful content – all while rewarding you for staying engaged.

i-NITIATE® Client App 2.0

The i-NITIATE® Client App 2.0 offers a unified platform for all your financial management needs. Exclusively for Infinity FA clients, the app enables easy access to your investment portfolio, policy details, and other exclusive benefits from our partners, all from a single user-friendly interface. You can find out more about i-NITIATE® Client App at client-app.infinityfa.com.sg.

Improved Financial Management

This updated app introduces a rewards system that encourages engagement through activities like logging in and attending seminars, with the option to earn and redeem Infinity Points. It also includes partnerships for high-yield savings accounts and premium services, aimed at simplifying and enhancing your financial strategy.

Key Features

The app’s user-friendly design supports efficient financial management, whether you are tracking investments or accessing personalised advice. It features robust security measures, including biometric authentication, to protect your data.

New features include the “Enquire Shortfall” tool, which helps identify and address gaps in your financial coverage, and the “Coin Frenzy” in-app game, which offers a fun way to earn rewards through monthly competitions.

Leadership Insight

Poh Choon Kia, CEO of Infinity Financial Advisory, said, “We are pleased to introduce this major revamp of our i-NITIATE® Client App. The i-NITIATE® Client App is an extension of our commitment to making your financial journey simpler, more secure, and highly rewarding for you.”

http://client-app.infinityfa.com.sg
https://sg.linkedin.com/company/infinity-financial-advisory
https://www.facebook.com/InfinityFinancialAdvisoryPteLtd
https://www.instagram.com/infinityfinancialadvisory/

Hashtag: #InfinityFinancialAdvisory

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Proposed changes to the import health standard for importing cats and dogs

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Have your say

From 13 January to 13 March 2025, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) invites comment on proposed changes to the Cat and Dog Import Health Standard (CATSDOGS.GEN).

In 2021, we also asked for your feedback about changes to the standard.

However, those proposed changes were not implemented because of concerns about fraudulence relating to the rabies and residency import requirements.

Since then, we’ve reviewed the rabies and residency requirements and completed further risk work on Brucella canis and Babesia spp.

2021 consultation: Proposed new import health standard (IHS) for cats and dogs

Changes to the proposed IHS since the 2021 consultation are outlined in the ‘Review of submissions’. Full details are in the consultation documents.

Summary of proposals

In this consultation, the proposed amendments cover 4 topics.

Brucella canis

Increase the timeframe for testing.

For mated dogs:

  • test the dog that naturally mated the dog for export, or the dog that produced semen for artificial breeding
  • test a sample of semen used to breed the dog for export.

Babesia gibsoni and rossi

  • Increase the timeframe for testing.  
  • Increase the number of PCR tests from 2 to 3 and reduce the timeframe between each test.
  • Test dogs younger than 6 months of age with PCR tests.
  • Post-arrival inspection includes a check for evidence of recent bites.

Pre-export identification check

Addition of pre-export identification checks by an official veterinarian prior to the rabies titration test.

Transit

Remove the previous proposal to allow transit through non-categorised countries.

Consultation documents 

Import Health Standard: Cats and Dogs (IHS) [PDF, 1.5 MB]

Risk Management Proposal (RMP) [PDF, 591 KB]

Related documents

Review of submissions (from first consultation in 2021) [PDF, 696 KB]

Current Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs: Cats and Dogs [PDF, 282 KB]

Current guidance document: Cats and dogs [PDF, 521 KB]

WTO notification [PDF, 158 KB]

Making your submission

Email your feedback on the draft before 5pm on 13 March 2025 to animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Make sure you include in your submission:

  • the title of the consultation document in the subject line of your email
  • your name and title, if applicable
  • your organisation’s name (if you’re submitting on behalf of an organisation)
  • your contact details (for example, phone number, address, and email).

While we prefer email, you can send your submission by post to:

Animal Approvals and Advice
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

All submissions received by the closing date will be considered before the amended import health standard (IHS) is issued. MPI may hold late submissions on file for consideration when the issued IHS is next revised or reviewed.

Any subsequent changes to the IHS will be noted in a second review of submissions prior to the IHS being finalised.

Steps to finalising the new IHS

After consultation on a draft import health standard, MPI publishes a provisional IHS.

If you made a submission during the consultation, you have 10 working days to notify the Director-General of MPI that you intend to request an independent review. Reviews are limited to whether specific scientific evidence was given sufficient consideration.

If no review is requested within 10 working days, then the provisional IHS is confirmed and the final IHS is issued. A 6-month transition period will be implemented during which time either the old or new import requirements can be used. After this period, the new import requirements in the IHS must be followed.

For more information about reviews refer to Section 24 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Legal background

MPI must consult with interested parties in accordance with section 23 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act) and MPI’s consultation policy before issuing or amending (other than of minor or urgent nature) import health standards (IHS) under sections 24A and 24B of the Act.

An IHS specifies import requirements that must be met either in the country of origin or of export, or during transit, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the goods to enter New Zealand. MPI must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection.

MIL OSI

Warning after drugs taken from air ambulance

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Southern District Police and Helicopters Otago are issuing a stark warning to those responsible for the burglary of an air ambulance helicopter at Taieri Airfield over the weekend.

Items taken included drugs from the helicopter’s medical supply stores.

Acting Area Investigations Manager Detective Sergeant Hayden Smale says this particular theft is concerning on many levels.

“Beyond putting the lives of air ambulance patients at risk by taking these essential medical supplies, some of the drugs stolen pose a significant risk to anyone who may choose to take them recreationally.

“The wrong combination or dosage could potentially be fatal, and we urge extreme caution for anyone who may come into contact with these stolen medical supplies.

“We continue to investigate this matter and will be working hard to identify any available lines of enquiry.”

Graheme Gale, the CEO of Helicopters Otago, says the theft of the bag was from the Queenstown rescue helicopter that had just taken a critically ill patient to Dunedin Hospital.

“The helicopter and crew were forced to hold over at the base in North Taieri due to bad weather. The stolen bag contained critical medical equipment and supplies.

“If the helicopter and crew had responded to an incident unaware that the bag had been taken, there could have been fatal consequences.”

Police would like to hear from anyone who might have information about the burglary, or those involved.

If you have information to share please get in touch via our 105 service, quoting reference number 250112/9460.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Strong biosecurity more important than ever

By
LiveNews Publisher
-
0

Source: New Zealand Government

Events over the last few weeks have highlighted the importance of strong biosecurity to New Zealand. Our staff at the border are increasingly vigilant after German authorities confirmed the country’s first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in nearly 40 years on Friday in a herd of water buffalo on the outskirts of Berlin.“New Zealand recognises the European Union’s protocols to manage FMD are in line with international standards and equivalent to New Zealand’s,” says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.“German authorities have notified the World Organisation for Animal Health and have implemented appropriate measures to manage the risks, including establishing a restricted zone for animals and animal products as well as the range of usual protection measures following an FMD outbreak, including biosecurity measures, movement controls, the destruction of affected animals and products, disinfection, and surveillance.“This is why we take biosecurity very seriously here in New Zealand. It’s been a busy summer for Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff who have devoted their time and efforts to not only responding to a recent fruit fly detection in South Auckland, but also HPAI (high pathogenicity avian influenza), with decontamination continuing at the single Mainland Poultry site in Otago. In both biosecurity responses, no further issues have been found to date.“It’s a good reminder for all New Zealanders about how vital biosecurity is to us. Incursions of pests and diseases don’t take a break and that’s why our biosecurity system doesn’t sleep.”At this stage there are no concerns regarding products imported into New Zealand from Germany. New Zealand and the European Union have agreed procedures in the event of this type of situation. MPI has confidence that appropriate measures are being implemented and is engaging with its EU counterpart officials. 

MIL OSI

1...983984985...1,055Page 984 of 1,055
© Copyright 2024 - LiveNews.co.nz a Multimedia Investments Ltd site