Presenting Tōtika – streamlining health and safety pre-qualification

Tōtika was designed to streamline the health and safety pre-qualification process for the construction sector.

Prior to the development of Tōtika there was no common standard and suppliers had to pre-qualify through various different schemes – creating inefficiency in the supply chain.

This webinar was recorded on 17 November 2021. It includes speakers from Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), KiwiRail and Downer.

Webinar video

Creating a more efficient construction health and safety system

Tōtika was developed by Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) working with representatives from across the industry, including the Construction Sector Accord. The new system aims to simplify the process and create one standard for all health and safety pre-qualification across the construction sector – where suppliers only have to complete the process once for all buyers of their services.

As part of the Accord's Towards High Performance webinar series, we partnered with CHASNZ to discuss the new system and its impact on the sector.

Speakers covered a variety of key issues, including why Tōtika was needed, how it was developed, what the benefits are for the construction sector and practical advice for clients, suppliers and contractors using the new scheme.

Key speakers

Roger McRae – Independent Chairperson, Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ)

CHASNZ is a charitable trust developed in 2018 with the objective of improving the lives of construction workers by raising the standard of health and safety culture and performance across our construction industry. Roger has over 35 years experience in the construction sector in New Zealand and overseas, and talked about why this change was needed, why pre-qualification is important and the status of the scheme's rollout.

Jon Harper-Slade – General Manager Health and Safety Innovation, Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ)

Jon has an essential role at CHASNZ, undertaking key initiatives and researching innovative solutions that contribute to the organisation's aspirations for a world class construction health and safety environment. Jon discussed how Tōtika was developed, the benefits for the construction sector and advice for clients, suppliers and contractors using the new scheme.

Cat Salt – Zero Harm Lead for Capital Projects and Asset Development, KiwiRail

KiwiRail is one of New Zealand's largest employers, with staff in more than 50 towns and cities across the country. Health and safety assessment is crucial to its operations, but previous schemes have been inefficient with conflicting requirements. Cat explained the role of pre-qualification for KiwiRail and how her team are using the new scheme.

Barry Bignell – Executive General Manager Zero Harm, Downer

Downer's zero harm culture is built on leading and inspiring, managing risk, rethinking processes, applying lessons learnt, and adopting and adapting practices that aim to achieve zero work-related injuries. Barry discussed some of the issues Downer has encountered with the previous health and safety pre-qualification schemes and provided his take on Tōtika.

Last updated: 22 November 2021