May 2024
Redhawk Safety
Bula Vinaka! Kia Ora!
I recently had the honour of representing NZISM at the 3rd Fiji OHS Conference, which this year was reinstated after a 4-year hiatus triggered by the pandemic. The theme echoed that of World Health & Safety day this year – The Impact of Climate Change on OHS.
It was a wonderful, positive experience and one that I will always look back on with great fondness. When I stepped off the plane in Suva, a cheery “Bula” and a warm blast of tropical air welcomed me. That warmth continued throughout my trip as I basked in the warmth and hospitality of the Fijian people and their infectious laughter.
The Fiji OHS Conference 2024 itself was an absolute success. It was organised by Amrish Narayan and his team from Fiji National University’s National Training & Productivity Centre and they did an outstanding job. They delivered a slick, well-organised event and their attention to detail was in apparent at every turn. The university staff and guest speakers looked wonderful in their green “Bula Wear”, chosen to complement the conference’s climate theme.
The conference was hosted by the Pearl Resort and there was a jam-packed agenda with speakers on topics such as Mental Health Resilience, The Status of Workforce Health in Fiji, Emerging Health & Safety Issues in a Changing Climate, Emergency Response and Fire Training, Labour Standards (from the International Labour Organisations), and Fijian Workers’ Perspectives. At the end of each session there was a Q&A session and it soon became obvious that Fijians are passionate about health and safety, as well as environmental issues. Engagement levels were high – Fijians are certainly not scared to use their voices. It was great! It was also fantastic to see many Fijian health and safety professionals in attendance, as well as students.
My own presentation fell into three parts. First, I spoke about the personal tragedy my family experienced that led me into the safety world and why becoming involved with the NZISM is one of the best career decisions that I have ever made. I then spoke about one of my career highlights which involved a high-risk operation on the Ports. It was a challenging but rewarding project - the team I worked with won a Safeguard New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Award for Best Collaboration. I wanted the delegates and attendees to understand just how exciting critical risk and safety can be! I wrapped up my presentation with an overview of our professional body, the NZISM. I touched on why professional development and accreditation is so important as we collectively strive to lift the capability of our profession in New Zealand. Aotearoa’s safety performance is not good when we compare ourselves to others internationally and this is something that our Fijian colleagues could relate to.
The inclusiveness of the Fijian people at the conference was wonderful to see and the event served as an opportunity for growth and development for university staff as well attendees. Health and safety professionals usually look after others so the conference was an opportunity for the FNU to look after them for a change. A wellness team of health professionals was stationed outside the conference entrance offering health checks. The IT support was top notch, and the MC role was a shared responsibility with many of the university staff actively involved with speaking opportunities such as introducing speakers. It was a wonderful example of team effort and inclusiveness in action!
Refreshments (including kava) ended a fabulous day and there was a much-valued opportunity to chat with Fijian health and safety professionals in a gorgeous, relaxed setting.
It was a sell-out conference and next time a bigger venue is being planned, so no-one misses out. The Fiji National University is aiming for an annual conference to coincide with the World Day for Health & Safety at Work each year. I could sense a real hunger by the Fijian health and safety profession to take the next steps in their journey. There is a strong desire to have their own professional body like the NZISM and get some positive traction in the health and safety space. Fiji has the added challenge that they do not have a designated regulator as we do with WorkSafe New Zealand. Chatting with Fijian safety professionals, I realised just how keen they are to progress their profession and to increase their skills and knowledge. They also want to be able to connect with each other. NZISM has listened and extended membership opportunities to our colleagues in Fiji. Whether Fijian health and safety practitioners choose to join us or tread their own path, we look forward supporting them on their journey.
Vinaka vakalevu.
Deb Cameron
