The NZ Transport Agency says a major national health and safety award won by the M2PP Alliance is a testament to the superb efforts being undertaken by the Expressway construction team to protect the wellbeing of every worker, visitor, and member of the public.
Last night Site Safe NZ Inc announced the winners of the 2014 Construction Health and Safety Awards(external link). These awards help to improve health and safety in the construction industry by promoting great ideas and giving national recognition to those making a real difference. The awards acknowledge people, sites and businesses that are demonstrating excellence in the areas of leadership, and innovation in organisations of all sizes.
Kapiti’s own M2PP Alliance, which is building the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway, took out the AWF Group Safety Innovation Award for Large Businesses for their health and safety awareness and engagement programme using smartphones, tablets, Youtube and QR codes to access animated videos that engage workers in various health and safety items.
I’m delighted with the result for the team and the Kapiti Community – the smart technology we’re using is really just the tip of the iceberg and the success of this is really the result of great collaboration between Health and Safety, Communications, Construction and local creative talent,” says Tim Barry, Health Safety and Wellbeing Manager.
“I set out to get my very serious messages across in a number of ways and the use of animation, and digital technology has allowed me to add an important thread that cuts across literacy levels and delivers a message in a fun, engaging and environmentally friendly way. What we’ve created is primarily a Health & Safety resource but it’s also a great communications story.”
Transport Agency highways manager Rod James says the award is a strong reflection of an outstanding commitment to protecting the safety of the Alliance’s workers, visitors and the public.
“The Alliance have a dedicated team who will be building one of the safest pieces of road in New Zealand. It’s appropriate and heartening that the workers’ safety is also being valued, and the way they put this into action is innovative, smart, and really resonates with people.”
M2PP worked with local animation company The Simmonds Brothers to animate real people from the project delivering short training clips designed to keep people safe on site. The clips are all carried on a public YouTube channel and promoted internally as well as externally. Simmonds Brothers have been engaged by the project to document construction as well work on the H&S animation shorts.
“This project is committed to working locally whenever possible and were extremely lucky that we have such excellent creative talent on the coast,” Sarah Ropata, M2PP Alliance Communications Manager.
Animator Phil Simmons says, “If you want people to entertain your idea, your idea should first entertain them - that's our motto. And these health and safety messages are a perfect example. Animation is a team sport. This award recognizes the great work of the whole animation team here on the Kapiti Coast.”
Mr Barry says, “Our commitment to health and safety goes well beyond the gates and fences of our sites. We’re working in close proximity with the Kapiti Community and it’s just as important to keep the community safe – this is about a no secrets or surprise approach and also about putting real people to the face of construction.
You can see the animations online at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8PGR675g4Osdc5belGdw5qEHXrfDYFnV(external link) or head in to the Coastlands Information Centre where you can watch them while you try on some real PPE ( Personal Protective Gear).
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager - Central
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
