Entries Now Open for the 3M Health & Safety Award

3M New Zealand is seeking entries for the 3M Award for Innovation in Health and Safety. This is the seventh year the organisation has offered this award to the industry, and entries from organisations in the construction and engineering sectors are being sought.

The award judges how well an organisation has put in place innovative initiatives that achieve great results in improving health and safety in the workplace.  The 3M Award for Innovation in Health and Safety aims to recognise the commitment, innovation and challenge of improving health and safety for the New Zealand workforce.

“We take pride in awarding those who make an important difference to the health and safety of the people they work with, as they are undertaking a key responsibility for their organisation,” says Saya Wahrlich, Business Manager, Safety, Security and Protection Systems, 3M New Zealand.

This year’s award is run in conjunction with the New Zealand Occupational Health Nurses’ Association (NZOHNA) and the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM) 2009 Conference that is being held between 9 – 11 September in Wellington.

The Gold Award winner receives $3,000 towards professional development, and last year NZ Aluminium Smelters Ltd was awarded the top prize.  Silver and Bronze winners receive $1,000 and $500 respectively.

Entries are judged across a variety of categories including innovative thinking, innovative technology, pro-activity, sustainability, applicability and outcomes.

Entrants must work in health and safety in New Zealand, and can be an individual or a team. The finalists are selected by a panel of expert judges. 

Entries close on 3 August 2009.

For further entry information visit www.3m.co.nz /safety, the www.nzism.co.nz or www.nzohna.org.nz websites.

Alternatively contact David Haslam at 3M, email dhaslam@mmm.com

Andrea Parr (left), 3M New Zealand, and Paul Jarvie, NZISM, present the 2008 award to Emily D’Alterio from NZ Aluminium Smelters