5 December 2025
At Ethos Health & Safety, we seldom describe ourselves as "passionate" about health and safety -except when it comes to protecting children and ensuring safety around hazardous substances.
When children are involved, the definition of acceptable risk shifts, and with hazardous substances, the dangers can be subtle and far-reaching. Chemical burns are especially insidious as they continue to burn unless treated.
When it comes to hazardous substances, we all need to be more aware. Common sense is not enough. Risk assessment begins at procurement, and there is no excuse for purchasing a strong cleaner if a milder one will suffice. Labelling, storage, Safety Data Sheets and training are not just ‘nice to haves’ but absolutely necessary to keep everyone safe.
This afternoon, the evolving situation with young children at a Christchurch daycare centre being exposed to a caustic substance is dreadful and entirely preventable. Thankfully, timely and effective first aid can go a long way to reduce the consequences of chemical burns.
In writing this, we acknowledge that it is too soon to know what really happened.
Our thoughts are with these tamariki and their whānau as we enter the weekend.
If you need help managing the safety of your hazardous substances, please reach out to us for support.
1 December 2025
Less than four weeks until Christmas!
Christmas is a time for reflection, gratitude, and strengthening relationships. It is also a time for workplaces to wind down and reflect on the year that has passed.
This old article from WorkSafe dispels a few myths and reminds us of our workplace responsibilities to keep workers safe during work events and festivities.
There’s no need to ban Christmas decorations, dance parties, or lolly scrambles, but consideration should be given to keeping workers safe.
Putting on a workplace Christmas Party? Then think about these things -
🕰️ Manage fatigue, workloads, and rosters so everyone has time to celebrate responsibly.
💬 Communicate expectations in advance.
🚕 Plan ahead to ensure everyone has safe transport home.
🍸 Provide non-alcoholic options, serve food, and provide entertainment.
🌙 Keep the celebrations on track and bring them to a timely conclusion.
😍 Above all, have fun, make good memories, and take care of each other.
What is your workplace doing to keep everyone safe this Christmas season?
Health and Safety isn’t the Christmas Grinch | WorkSafe
30 November 2025
Falls from height remain a leading cause of workplace death and serious injury in New Zealand, despite being preventable through proper planning.
A recent WorkSafe article highlights an incident where inadequate safety measures resulted in a severe injury and a lengthy recovery, underscoring the need for vigilant change management.
Key learnings from the investigation include:
🎯 When introducing new infrastructure, businesses must conduct a comprehensive risk assessment and consider all potential changes that may be necessary.
💪 New infrastructure should undergo a commissioning process to ensure its safety.
🥇 Businesses must first ask whether a job can be performed at ground level (eliminate the risk of working at height).
🥈 If the work must be performed at height, elevated work platforms or scaffolding should be considered.
🥉 Fall arrest systems are a last resort.
If your business is undergoing change, contact Ethos Health & Safety Limited for expert advice and a comprehensive risk assessment.
Height safety basics missed in preventable fall from pole | WorkSafe
Pictured below: The site of the telco pole installation in Whanganui where a worker fell 10 metres in October 2023.
