4. HSW Good Governance Discussion – 01072025/04
9:41am - 9(2)(a)
and 9(2)(a)
joined the meeting.
Leads: 9(2)(a)
and 9(2)(a)
Papers:
04.1 - IoD HSW Good Governance Discussion.pdf
Areas of particular concern
Te Pūrengi discussed HSW issues that are of particular concern to them, including:
• Any major incidents relating to one of the Ministry buildings.
• The Waste Operations team, who have site-based responsibilities and
frequently drive for work.
• Ensuring adequate cover in P&C in the event of an incident.
• Remote workers and maturing as an organisation to support them.
• The wellbeing considerations related to uncertainty.
• Ensuring the Ministry provides a culturally safe environment.
Anticipate and Understand
Te Pūrengi:
• Discussed the use of data in interrogating wellbeing trends around the
Ministry.
o Noted Business Planning has a role to play in enriching HSW
information that is presented to Te Pūrengi. Discussed the HSW
implications of a robust Business Planning process that ensures work
programmes are appropriately sized and resourced.
o Asked whether numbers in performance management have changed
as a result of the Growth and Performance Framework.
o Requested that driving and site visit data be tracked alongside HSW
reporting.
o Discussed the importance of ensuring safety practices are being
followed and the role of technology in monitoring safety adherence.
• Discussed expectations around remote working and individual responsibility.
o Noted the Ministry has limited control over the environment that fully
remote kaimahi work in. Requested that leads report back to Te
Pūrengi on the Ministry’s responsibilities and accountabilities regarding
remote working versus individual responsibility
[Action
01072025/04.1].
o Discussed what level of action is required by the Ministry to discharge
its HSW responsibilities towards remote kaimahi.
Monitor and respond
• Considered implementation of a site visit plan. 9(2)(a) will seek feedback on
what protocols the Ministry currently has in place
[Action 01072025/04.2].
o Acknowledged the need for a structured plan for office site visits, noting
the possible morale and HSW benefits. OCE will establish a process
that ensures insights from Deputy Secretary site visits are reported
back to Te Pūrengi, with any HSW implications communicated to P&C.
o Discussed the possibility of arranging visits to areas like farms, and
agreed a proportionate approach to risk is required. Leads emphasised
the importance of monitoring the effectiveness of critical controls that
have been put in place. Leads signalled bringing in external auditing
later this year would be beneficial for reviewing our effectiveness.
• Requested that leads provide Te Pūrengi with clarity around what actions they
must undertake versus ‘nice to have’ initiatives. Te Pūrengi also requested
timely information on emerging issues that may affect their ability to discharge
their duties. Te Pūrengi requested a high-level, holistic picture of how the
Ministry is tracking across several areas.
• Questioned whether Health and Safety representatives should meet with Te
Pūrengi in a similar manner to Employee Led Network representatives.
10:11am - 9(2)(a)
left the meeting. 10:43am - 9(2)(a)
joined the meeting.
10:49am - 9(2)(a)
and 9(2)(a)
left the meeting.
