Businesses Gain Practical Health & Safety Insights at THCL BA5
Business owners and professionals from across Horowhenua came together on Thursday evening for THCL's latest Business After Five (BA5), hosted by AllTrain at its new Levin training facility.
The evening offered a great opportunity to connect with fellow businesses while hearing from local experts about one of the most significant topics currently facing workplaces: the proposed Health & Safety legislative changes coming early next year.
Guests were welcomed by AllTrain Owner and Director, Maria Bayley, who shared the company's journey from its beginnings in 2014 to the opening of its new Levin training centre earlier this year. Having delivered training throughout Horowhenua for the past six years, the new facility reflects AllTrain's ongoing commitment to supporting local businesses with accessible, practical training and workforce development.
Attendees also enjoyed live demonstrations from AllTrain trainer Troy Twomey, who showcased safe working at heights techniques. The demonstrations highlighted the importance of practical training, correct equipment, and safe work practices when working at height.
The second half of the evening featured a panel discussion with Jan Houston, Health & Safety Consultant, and Thane Young, Health & Safety Manager at Ō2NL. Together, they unpacked the proposed Health & Safety at Work Amendment Bill and what the changes could mean for businesses across New Zealand.
Rather than focusing on legal jargon, the discussion centred on practical actions businesses can take now. One of Jan's key messages was the importance of genuinely listening to your employees. She encouraged businesses to adopt a "You said, we did" approach - demonstrating that staff feedback is heard, valued and acted upon.
Jan also challenged attendees to focus on identifying their critical risks, asking a simple but powerful question: "What could kill or seriously injure someone in your workplace?". By identifying and managing these risks first, businesses can direct their efforts where they will have the greatest impact.
Thane reinforced that health and safety is fundamentally a performance-based system. While systems and documentation remain important, the focus should be on demonstrating safe behaviours and creating a workplace culture where safety is embedded into everyday work.
A huge thank you to Maria Bayley and the AllTrain team for hosting the evening, along with Jan Houston and Thane Young for sharing their expertise and practical insights. Thank you also to everyone who attended and contributed to another successful BA5 event.
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming events as we continue bringing the Horowhenua business community together to connect, learn and grow.