1. HSR to Senior H&S Advisor
My journey in health, safety
Theresa Khatchian
Presentation to MBIE’S HSR’S Conference August 15, 2016
2. How did I first get involved in health,
safety
• A number of roles prior to moving into
H&S within NZTA (LTSA) where I was
given papers saying I was the H&S
Representative for our Business Unit.
• Put them in a draw and never really did
anything with them, I don’t actually
remember ever going to a Committee
Meeting at this time.
3. • Not long after I applied for a PA Role in
Corporate Services where I was
successful, but coming from an Operation
background there wasn’t much work and I
had time on my hands. Our Facilities
person was leaving who also looked after
the H&S and reported to the same GM as
myself.
• I approach my boss and said don’t
advertise the position, I can do this also,
as I need something more to do.
4. • This was where I developed a passion for
H&S.
• My first training course in H&S was:
National Certificate In Occupational Health
& Safety, this was before I had even done
any of the HSR’s Stages!!
So I was a bit shocked even around what
did EIM stand for, I remember the trainer
to this day Paul Jarvie, National OHS
Manager EMA,
5. President of OHSIG, Paul was also the
National Manager of New Zealand Institute
of Safety Management (NZISM) for a
number of years, where I eventually joined
him on the Executive Committee. I knew I
had come a long way at this stage.
• I was extremely fortunate that NZTA were
very good at allowing staff to grow in their
roles, so I went on to do NZ Institute of
Management (NZIM) Auditor Training &
Certification
6. • I would definitely promote to anyone
wanting to go into a H&S full-time to
actually go down the Auditors qualification
first as it really helps you understand the
requirements for H&S. I wished someone
had told me that years ago.
7. How did I arrive at my current role
A change in the organisation saw the
Health and Safety Role become a full time
role as a National H&S Co-ordinator. I
was fortunate to have the choice to stay as
a PA to the Corporate Manager or go full
time as NZTA’s National H&S Co-
ordinator.
8. The result was I chose the National H&S
Co-ordinator Role and have been in a full
time H&S Role ever since.
• HR arranged for me to join Human
Resources Institute of NZ, (HRINZ)
At the time they were the only
professional body that had a H&S side
where you could attend H&S events.
Went onto be their SIG H&S Leader
and have been in this role over 8 years.
9. Joined NZISM, (NZ Institute of Safety
Management) when I found they existed.
And after a few years as a member, I was
elected to one of the committee members for
two years and then elected to Branch
Manager. I held this position for four years,
and then remained as a committee member
until May 2016, when I stepped down. I am
still a member of NZISM and with their CPD
(Continue Professional Development)
Programme
11. NZISM Members doing their Professional
Standards (Prior to NEBOSH Certificate)
12. • In 2007 set up the H&S Inter-Agencies
Forum, which still exists to date.
• Plus, while I was working with LA’s, put
together a Group so the Wgton LA’s
could come together to share
knowledge.
H&SAdvisors Wellington LA’s
13. New Challenges
Kapiti Coast District Council
• The diversity of the Council was very
interesting and rewarding to my learning
skills within health and safety.
14. • Council was offered the chance by ACC to do
the NIDMAR Pilot Programme. This would
consisted of an audit which allows
organisations to diagnose the strengths and
weaknesses of their injury management
programs.
15. • We came up trumps as the first Council in
the World to receive International
Certification for this programme which was
around Accident/Illness Management and
getting employees back to work ASAP.
The CEO of ACC at the time along with
the Associated Ministry of ACC came out
to present us with the Certification and
also shout an afternoon tea for all staff.
16.
17. • We were also lucky to win the 3M Award
at NZISM/NZOHNA Conference 2010, for
our safety programme when working in
isolation.
18. PoolSafe
This was a new area to me, but I enjoyed the challenge to
developed H&S Policies and Procedures plus a H&S
Manual for the three swimming pools. Then applied to be
audited so we could achieve PoolSafe accreditation. We
were successful!
20. Tai Chi was brought in first for staff but then opened out to the
Community. It was very successful and continued for a few
years after I left as well.
21. Health Checks
Free health checks were available to all staff, Plus
Massages were introduced weekly, the masseur we had
is now with MoJ.
29. Some areas of achievement
• H&S Presentations for three years at
Massey University for students doing their
HR papers.
• Delivering H&S Rep Training to
organisations that are totally different to
the work environment that I work in, such
as Quality Bakers/Weltec Tutors etc.
• Set up Employer's Forum for H&S within
Kapiti Coast and continued with co-
ordination of the Inter-Agencies Forum
30.
31. • Wellington Gold Awards – One of the judges for
the ACC WSMP Category for the last three
years 2014-2016
32.
33. • Invited to be part of the Thomson Reuters,
Safeguard Advisory Panel for 2015 and just
recently for the 2016 Panel.
• Involvement in putting together the Wellington
Employers H&S Forum.
34. Ministry of Justice
• I am fully involved in all aspects of
Occupational H&S such as implementation
of the Ministry's health and safety policies
and procedures to align the Ministry's
health and safety management system
with H&S Legislation and best practice
standards.
35. • Working with Property Section and their
construction contractors. This area has
been interesting.
36. • Implementation of a Wellness Program
across the Ministry, along with a Return to
Work Program has been a couple of my
achievements in this role.
• The diversity of the Ministry's business
makes it a very interesting role.
