Response to information request from Mal Robertson
29 June 2023
Dear Mal
Thanks for your email earlier this month asking for information about staff surveys and working
conditions.
Here is a report provided to our Audit and Risk committee recently from our Health and Safety
Coordinator.
Annual Survey
The annual Health and Safety Audit was conducted in November via Survey Monkey. Twenty-Seven
staff completed the survey across all Council departments.
The survey results were general y positive, with areas of improvement identified. Those surveyed
indicated a positive change in the safety culture and felt they were supplied with the right resources,
PPE, and training to complete their jobs safely.
There was increased awareness around reporting incidents; staff felt comfortable raising health and
safety issues and felt the senior management team was active and supportive in this space.
The improvement suggestions were outlined in the health and safety audit report as:
• Emergency management awareness ( Training has been and is continuing to be provided)
• Maintaining plant and equipment and scheduling electrical testers to make sure they are
being checked often. (A new contractor has been engaged, and a programme of work has
been initiated)
• Stand-up desks for the admin building (A stand-up desk has been set up in the admin
building)
• 2023 has a focus on conducting workshops around critical risk programmes. (Consultant and
Critical Risk programme being scoped for Council approval)
• There was a need for improvement in communication between health and safety reps and
the staff. ( Raised at H&S Committee Meeting, with ways to communicate more effectively
being discussed)
• Having a centralised place for all health and safety documentation. (Home button is to be
developed for al desktops that hypelinks to H&S minutes and newsletters)
I have also attached the raw data from the November survey.
If you are unsatisfied with the response, you are entitled to lodge a complaint with the Office of the
Ombudsmen. You can find more information on its website
http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
Kind regards
Sonia Gerken
GM Communications & Customer Support
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q1 Please enter the date and time of completion
Answered: 27
Skipped: 1
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
100.00%
27
Date / Time
1 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q2 Do you believe that al incidents which are occurring are being
reported?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
More than
likely
Likely
Unlikely
More than
unlikely
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
14.29%
4
More than likely
42.86%
12
Likely
42.86%
12
Unlikely
0.00%
0
More than unlikely
TOTAL
28
2 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q3 My organisation investigates health and safety incidents and makes
changes to how I do things as a result.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
28.57%
8
Strongly agree
60.71%
17
Agree
7.14%
2
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
3.57%
1
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
3 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q4 I always feel comfortable to speak up and report health and safety risk
or incidents.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Definitely
would
Probably would
Probably would
not
Definitely
would not
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
82.14%
23
Definitely would
17.86%
5
Probably would
0.00%
0
Probably would not
0.00%
0
Definitely would not
Total Respondents: 28
4 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q5 I'm involved in deciding how health and safety risks wil be managed.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
28.57%
8
Strongly agree
32.14%
9
Agree
25.00%
7
Neither agree nor disagree
14.29%
4
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
5 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q6 In terms of risk management, what do you think we do wel and what
do you think we need to improve on?
Answered: 26
Skipped: 2
6 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q7 My organisation has taken actions to reduce risk and implement control
measures for activities that may cause me serious harm.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
28.57%
8
Strongly agree
64.29%
18
Agree
7.14%
2
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
7 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q8 Are you satisfied with the way incident reporting is recorded and
maintained? (Safe 365)
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Satisfied
Dissatisfied
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
96.43%
27
Satisfied
3.57%
1
Dissatisfied
TOTAL
28
8 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q9 If you selected dissatisfied for the above question, what are your
improvement suggestions?
Answered: 3
Skipped: 25
9 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q10 If previous incidents have occurred, are they investigated,
documented and solutions recommended to ensure the incident is not
repeated?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Always
Usually
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
35.71%
10
Always
46.43%
13
Usually
17.86%
5
Sometimes
0.00%
0
Rarely
0.00%
0
Never
TOTAL
28
10 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q11 How important to you is that al visitors who visit job sites and council
sites sign in or complete a job start form?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
The most
important...
A top
priority, bu...
Not very
important
Not important
at all
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
32.14%
9
The most important priority
60.71%
17
A top priority, but not the most important
7.14%
2
Not very important
0.00%
0
Not important at all
TOTAL
28
11 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q12 Where can you find the emergency response plans for your
department?
Answered: 27
Skipped: 1
12 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q13 I feel as though my organisation is prepared for an emergency and
has told me what to do in the event of one.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
14.29%
4
Strongly agree
60.71%
17
Agree
17.86%
5
Neither agree nor disagree
7.14%
2
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
13 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q14 If I am physical y or emotional y unwel , I am confident the
organisation wil work alongside me to provide alternative or restricted
duties.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
39.29%
11
Strongly agree
46.43%
13
Agree
10.71%
3
Neither agree nor disagree
3.57%
1
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
14 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q15 My organisation manages the risks to me from bul ying and
harassment (repeated, unreasonable and harmful behaviors) by having
the processes and procedures in place to report/respond to complaints .
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
21.43%
6
Strongly agree
42.86%
12
Agree
25.00%
7
Neither agree nor disagree
10.71%
3
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
15 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q16 Are you confident in what to do in an emergency?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
ANSWER CHOICES
AVERAGE NUMBER
TOTAL NUMBER
RESPONSES
82
2,303
28
Total Respondents: 28
16 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q17 Does your department have documented maintenance schedules for
plant and equipment?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Aware
Somewhat aware
Not aware
N/A - Those
who work sol...
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
28.57%
8
Aware
32.14%
9
Somewhat aware
10.71%
3
Not aware
28.57%
8
N/A - Those who work solely in the office may select this.
TOTAL
28
17 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q18 What is our policy or procedure around lone working?
Answered: 27
Skipped: 1
18 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q19 My organisation is actively engaged in managing fatigue as an
identified risk. Examples could be having a good work environment and
regular breaks.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
17.86%
5
Strongly agree
46.43%
13
Agree
28.57%
8
Neither agree nor disagree
3.57%
1
Disagree
3.57%
1
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
19 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q20 What do you believe our top 3 critical risks would be? Critical risks are
defined as events that can cause grave damage to a business operation,
or result in worker fatality or permanent disability.Please think outside of
your own department.
Answered: 26
Skipped: 2
20 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q21 Are you confident that your equipment, plant and material used to do
your job are wel maintained?If you work in an office environment, this
could be your ergonomic design.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Extremely
confident
Very confident
Somewhat
confident
Not so
confident
Not at all
confident
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
17.86%
5
Extremely confident
60.71%
17
Very confident
17.86%
5
Somewhat confident
3.57%
1
Not so confident
0.00%
0
Not at all confident
TOTAL
28
21 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q22 In your department, where does your first aid kit live and is it wel
maintained?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
22 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q23 I have al the required PPE to do my job safely, is it in good repair and
I have easy access to a replacement if mine is worn out?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
I work in the
office and t...
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
67.86%
19
Strongly agree
10.71%
3
Agree
3.57%
1
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
17.86%
5
I work in the office and this does not apply to me
Total Respondents: 28
23 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q24 If you were to be supplied with any extra resources, what would you
require and why?
Answered: 19
Skipped: 9
24 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q25 I feel I am given the right support and gear to look after my safety.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
35.71%
10
Strongly agree
53.57%
15
Agree
10.71%
3
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
25 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q26 I feel I am given the right support to look after my own health and
wel being
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
21.43%
6
Strongly agree
57.14%
16
Agree
21.43%
6
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
26 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q27 I feel I have been given adequate training, coaching, feedback,
equipment and the support I need to be competent, comfortable and to do
my job safety.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
42.86%
12
Strongly agree
50.00%
14
Agree
7.14%
2
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
27 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q28 In terms of communicating regarding workplace health and safety
issues or positive outcomes, What do you think we do wel and what do
you think we need to work on?
Answered: 27
Skipped: 1
28 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q29 Where would you find the latest Health and Safety meeting minutes,
and are they easily accessible?
Answered: 26
Skipped: 2
29 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q30 Are you satisfied with our inductions of new employees, including
workplace health and safety procedures and guidance on psychological
safety?
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Very satisfied
Satisfied
Neither
satisfied no...
Dissatisfied
Very
dissatisfied
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
10.71%
3
Very satisfied
35.71%
10
Satisfied
46.43%
13
Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
7.14%
2
Dissatisfied
0.00%
0
Very dissatisfied
TOTAL
28
30 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q31 My organisation considers both health, and safety, before making
changes that affect me.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
17.86%
5
Strongly agree
50.00%
14
Agree
32.14%
9
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
31 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q32 I am confident in raising health and safety concerns, in regards to
myself and any other col eagues as required.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
46.43%
13
Strongly agree
53.57%
15
Agree
0.00%
0
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
32 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q33 I am concerned that if I raise a health and safety issue or observation,
that I may be peer pressured into not reporting the issue or observation.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
3.57%
1
Strongly agree
17.86%
5
Agree
3.57%
1
Neither agree nor disagree
46.43%
13
Disagree
28.57%
8
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
33 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q34 My organisation talks to me about health and safety in a way that I
understand.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
39.29%
11
Strongly agree
53.57%
15
Agree
7.14%
2
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
34 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q35 If myself or a col eague is in danger, I feel that I have the
responsibility and authority to take action.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
60.71%
17
Strongly agree
39.29%
11
Agree
0.00%
0
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
35 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q36 I feel comfortable getting involved and having my say in health and
safety matters.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
46.43%
13
Strongly agree
46.43%
13
Agree
7.14%
2
Neither agree nor disagree
0.00%
0
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
Total Respondents: 28
36 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q37 My organisation has effective governance and leadership in health
and safety.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
25.00%
7
Strongly agree
50.00%
14
Agree
17.86%
5
Neither agree nor disagree
7.14%
2
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
37 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q38 Senior leaders create an environment of trust and fairness within the
organisation.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
32.14%
9
Strongly agree
39.29%
11
Agree
21.43%
6
Neither agree nor disagree
7.14%
2
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
38 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q39 The organisation engages with and empowers its workers.
Answered: 28
Skipped: 0
Strongly agree
Agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
ANSWER CHOICES
RESPONSES
17.86%
5
Strongly agree
50.00%
14
Agree
25.00%
7
Neither agree nor disagree
7.14%
2
Disagree
0.00%
0
Strongly disagree
TOTAL
28
39 / 40
Gore District Council Annual Health and Safety Audit
Q40 Do you have any other feedback or comments you would like to
make?
Answered: 14
Skipped: 14
40 / 40
