As we head into warmer weather, we wanted to check in and share what’s been happening at BWARE.
At BWARE, we’re always looking for ways to make health and safety simpler and smarter for you. Over the past quarter, many of you have shared fantastic feedback on how we could improve the system. We’ve listened, we’ve acted, and we’re excited to share the results.
With that in mind, here’s a snapshot of the improvements now live in your BWARE system.
You told us the Health and Safety Declaration process didn’t always match the way your team works. We’ve listened and made a series of updates to give you more flexibility and a smoother workflow. Here are the key changes:
We’ve listened to your feedback, and after several requests to bring back the ‘Duplicate function’ in the Workplace module, we’re excited to let you know it’s live again!
Our original plan was to move everyone toward using templates, but many of you pointed out that you often complete multiple jobs for the same client at the same address. In those cases, being able to quickly duplicate a previous workplace plan, tweak the details, and get on with the job is far more practical.
To make this happen, our team rebuilt the function to align with our latest Workplace updates.
Thanks to everyone who shared their feedback.
One of our members recently pointed out that the Emergency Evacuation Plan report had the emergency services number (111) hard-coded, which made it difficult to update for teams working in Australia.
We’ve made improvements to fix this. You’ll now see a text field under the emergency contact details, allowing you to enter the correct emergency services number for the country you’re working in. This makes the plan more flexible and accurate when used outside of New Zealand.
We’re excited to announce the release of our new Membership Certificates, created to recognise and celebrate your ongoing support and loyalty.
These certificates will be sent to members following their annual subscription and can be printed and proudly displayed in your workplace. They come in three levels 1 +, 5 +, and 10 + Years—each featuring a unique recognition logo.
In addition to your certificate, the logo can be used across your business collateral, including email signatures, to showcase your commitment to health, safety, and the wellbeing of your workers.
Hello BWARE Members,
The updated BWARE App has been well-received, and our members are finding it beneficial to their operations.
With Spring on the horizon, I thought I would take the opportunity to look at some of the things that will help you prepare for a productive and safe season ahead.
As the days get longer and your business activity ramps up, it’s the perfect time to review your health and safety practices. Use the BWARE software to:
Let’s make this a safe and successful spring season for your business.
The Human Element: How Good H&S Boosts Productivity (Not Just Prevents Accidents).
We often think of health and safety as a necessary chore—a box to be ticked to avoid accidents and fines. But a truly effective H&S culture is much more than that. It’s a key driver of productivity and business success.
When workers feel safe and valued, they are more engaged and focused. A well-managed, safe environment reduces unexpected disruptions from incidents or injuries, which means less downtime, fewer delays, and more efficient operations. This proactive approach saves you from the hidden costs of poor safety, such as worker replacement, retraining, and investigation time, which can far exceed the cost of prevention.
A strong safety culture also empowers your team. When employees are involved in identifying risks and suggesting improvements, they take ownership and contribute to a more resilient and efficient business. This isn’t just about preventing accidents; it’s about building a foundation of trust and respect that leads to a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.
For those of you who may not have the time to look at the announcements from the Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety – Hon Brookevan Velden, I have put together a summary that may be of help.
The government is rebalancing the role of WorkSafe, shifting its primary focus from an enforcement agency to one that proactively supports businesses and individuals in managing critical risks. This move is part of a broader health and safety reform designed to reduce compliance pressures and ‘red tape’ while maintaining safety outcomes.
The Minister has made a series of announcements regarding sector-specific reforms, with a goal of tailoring health and safety regulations to the realities of different industries. These changes are currently in a consultation phase.
The government is consulting on clearer rules and prequalification guidance for the construction sector. Proposals include:
Targeted consultation with the agriculture sector is underway to ensure regulations reflect farm life. Key points include:
The government is consulting on a number of changes aimed at reducing compliance costs for adventure activity and amusement ride operators.
This includes refining the definition of “adventure activities” to distinguish between high-risk and low-risk offerings, which could reduce compliance for activities with minimal safety risk.
The government is consulting on simplifying machine guarding rules, moving from outdated requirements to a risk-based approach. This is intended to benefit not only manufacturers but also other sectors that use machinery, such as agriculture and construction.
The Minister is consulting on changes to better support innovation in the science and technology sector. This includes matching hazardous substance requirements for laboratories with their actual risk and supporting the development and use of hydrogen technologies.
The reforms also include broader changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
The announcements signal a clear direction from the government to streamline and focus New Zealand’s health and safety framework on genuine risks, with a view to reducing unnecessary compliance burdens. These changes will be progressed through legislation later this year. BWARE will continue to monitor these developments to ensure our services remain aligned with the evolving regulatory landscape.
Hi Everyone,
I’m Leticia and I’ve recently joined BWARE as the new Success & Support Administrator. In this role, I’ll be helping our customers get set up on the system, running live demonstrations, and delivering training to ensure they get the very best out of BWARE. I’ll also be on hand to troubleshoot any issues along the way.
Before joining BWARE, I worked at ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) in a corporate, customer-focused role, where I gained valuable experience providing high-quality support within a large organisation.
Outside of work, I’m a proud mum of two and love connecting with people. I also hold a Diploma in Accounting, a NZ Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice, and a Certificate in Administration and Technology.
I’m really excited to bring my passion for customer success to BWARE and look forward to supporting our clients on their journey.
