Ecosystem Transformation & SafetyTech
A health, safety and wellbeing system whereby businesses are collaborating, technology solutions widespread, and workers engaged, would translate into a market that is dynamic, innovative and vibrant rather than compliant, constrained and stale.
Mike O’Brien, alongside some of Aotearoa’s leading HSW minds, spent years developing a groundbreaking vision to transform the health, safety, and wellbeing system.
At its heart were three transformative pillars: leadership, capability, and technology. Mike identified them as the critical levers to break through the barriers that had long held New Zealand back from experiencing real, measurable change.
The Ecosystem Transformation document stood as an action plan for the ‘New Zealand Health & Safety at Work Strategy 2018-2028’ and serves as the foundation from which FutureSafe Aotearoa was born.
“New Zealand has the opportunity to be a global leader in health, safety and wellbeing, both from a leadership perspective, through industry sector and organisational leader activation, and in acting as the “Silicon Valley” of health, safety and wellbeing, connecting technology with markets. With a bold approach we can transform worker lives and enable businesses to thrive.”
Mike O’Brien, FutureSafe Aotearoa Program Director
Transformation Pillars
Leadership
Activating leadership at all levels is important. We need a renewed focus on front line leadership to enable worker engagement and industry sector groups to support business collaboration, directional procurement in both government and supply chains and simplify access to technology innovation. Incisive health, safety and wellbeing leadership will be a catalyst for change.
Capability
Understanding risks and controls across health, safety and wellbeing and the capabilities required to address them are unknown. The system lacks both technical capability and capacity, and the ability to connect knowledge to business and workers. A strong focus is required in three key areas: technical knowledge, workforce development and incentives and performance.
Technology (SafetyTech)
Technology can disrupt and provide a “step change” in health, safety and wellbeing outcomes. We can use technology to systematically remove blockages between innovation and market access. We should utilise technology to proactively develop New Zealands innovation capability and open up channels to market, both locallyand globally.
