KCE wins Safeguard NZ Workplace Health and Safety Award

KCE staff at the 2017 Safeguard New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards – Lace McCool, Kayla Gubb, Chris Fincham, Sandra McKenzie, Sue Burton, Rob Foster, Alex Polaschek, Matt Van Rooyen, Sande Jansen.

King Country Energy has won best health and safety initiative in the small business category at the prestigious 2017 Safeguard New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards.

Held at Sky City in  Auckland on Friday, KCE’s winning health and safety initiative centred on keeping the companys team of meter readers safe using a detailed, four-pronged safety approach.

CEO Rob Foster said to be announced as winner was an outstanding achievement for the team.

“It’s a true credit to the commitment our staff give to health and safety initiatives at KCE and will continue to give in order to keep everyone safe.”

With five full time and an additional five part time meter readers travelling over 250,000km per year to 16,000 residential, commercial and farming locations, Foster said meter readers face risks every day while out on the job.

“We have a responsibility to ensure we do everything within our power to minimise these risks.

“I’m very proud of the work the team has done with designing and implementing this health and safety initiative and ensuring we are doing the best job possible.”

KCE’s winning initiative involved identifying risks, developing a Hazard Risk Register specific to its meter readers and making changes to how new meter readers are inducted.

This is the first year KCE has entered these awards which are New Zealand’s only nationwide all sector health and safety awards.

KCE has operated in the King Country area for over 50 years and has an expanding customer base across the central North Island.

The category was open to any small business in New Zealand undertaking an initiative that shows how they have overcome health and safety challenges within the context of having fewer resources than larger organisations.

This is the 13th year for the Safeguard New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards which celebrate the organisations and people dedicated to improving health and safety outcomes.

KCE is the King Country’s leading electricity retailer. Its head office is in Taumarunui.

 – Stuff