3M awards NZ polytechnic for innovation in H&S

The Otago Polytechnic has won the 3M Award for Innovation in Health and Safety for 2011. Project manager Peter Sinclair and carpentry lecturer Matt Thompson from the Otago Polytechnic accepted the award for OP Tools, an iPad application they developed along with Mark Miller to assist with teaching and demonstrating safe handling of power tools and other equipment.

The application uses the latest technology to provide a rich interactive method of delivering content and measuring the learning outcomes for staff and students across multiple departments. For their success, the team receives $3000 from 3M towards professional development.

Saya Wahrlich, from 3M safety, security and protection services, says 3M and the judging panel were impressed by the Otago Polytechnic’s technological advancement, and says their entry epitomised what the 3M award is all about. “Health and safety is an incredibly important part of a modern workplace,” says Ms Wahrlich. “The organisations who win this award do so by making a significant difference to the health and safety of the people they work with, and this development has the potential to make great improvements for health and safety in New Zealand.”

The 3M Award for Innovation in Health and Safety is in its ninth year and recognises individuals and companies that show innovative thinking with improvements to safety processes and systems in the workplace. In the case of the Otago Polytechnic collaboration, their innovative idea came about after the group recognised the need for new ways to innovate teaching and learning for students by applying technology to the workplace.

Otago Polytechnic health and safety advisor, Terry Buckingham, was delighted with the win. “I would like to thank 3M for sponsoring this award, and we are excited to be recipients. It is encouraging to be recognised for our hard work in helping to improve and promote health and safety. Awards like this are an important way of motivating people to take a proactive stance when it comes to modernising health and safety, which will benefit workers and workplaces across New Zealand.”

The team from Bioworks and Greater Wellington Regional Council was awarded second place for their ‘Muzzle’ innovation – a new motorbike exhaust port guard which helps to prevent serious burns from bike accidents. Safety NetWorx was awarded third place for their commitment to providing essential and relevant health and safety information for their communities through seminars and workshops.