The Health and Safety Hub

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The EMA’s Health and Safety Hub shares real stories and honest conversations from people working at the coalface of health and safety. As one of New Zealand’s largest NZQA accredited health and safety training providers, the EMA supports organisations with specialist consulting, a dedicated Safety AdviceLine, and a Safety Culture Programme that strengthens everyday workplace behaviours, attitudes, and decisions from leadership to the frontline. The podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  1. 12h ago

    #33 | The Others: Who Else Is Health and Safety Really For?

    In this episode of The Health and Safety Hub, EMA's Kevin Chambers is joined by returning guest Andy Evans to explore an often-overlooked group in workplace health and safety: "the others". Beyond workers, officers, and PCBUs, what obligations do businesses have to customers, visitors, students, and members of the public?   Using a surprisingly thought-provoking supermarket example, Andy and Kevin examine psychosocial risk, duty of care, and where the boundaries of responsibility should sit. It's a lively discussion that challenges conventional thinking and encourages listeners to question how far health and safety duties should extend.   Andy is a co-founder of The Circus of Safety podcast. Circus of Safety – News and Views for Safety Consultant Experts  He is also the Lead Facilitator for the EMA’s NZ Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6), the country’s only face‑to‑face NZQA Level 6 programme for health and safety professionals.   More information on the EMA’s health and safety training courses can be found here: Health and Safety Courses: Discover Professional Training | EMA   The Health and Safety Hub is proudly produced in partnership with nib NZ Health Insurance | Welcome to nib | nib

  2. Oct 20

    #32 | Workplace Bullying: The Legal Risks Every Employer Needs to Understand

    What constitutes workplace bullying, and what should employers do when concerns are raised? In this episode of The Health and Safety Hub, host Kevin Chambers speaks with Matt Dearing, EMA's Head of Legal and General Counsel, about the legal definition of bullying, employer obligations, and the steps organisations should take to investigate complaints fairly and effectively. They explore why bullying is now firmly a health and safety issue, the risks of getting it wrong, and how strong policies, leadership and workplace culture can help prevent problems before they arise. If you need clarification on your legal responsibilities, contact the EMA Legal Team or call the EMA’s AdviceLine for expert guidance on 0800 300 362. This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  3. Oct 13

    #31 | Skin Cancer in New Zealand: A Simple Check That Could Save a Life

    New Zealand has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, making prevention and early detection more important than ever. In this episode, Kevin Chambers speaks with Sam Aldred from MoleMap NZ about the value of regular skin checks, the warning signs people should look for, and how businesses can support their teams through workplace skin cancer screening programmes. The conversation highlights the importance of early intervention, education and building a culture of preventative health. Information on the EMA’s health and safety training courses and consulting can be found here. The Health and Safety Hub is the official podcast for the National Safety Show 2026. This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  4. Oct 6

    #30 | Invisible Hazards: Understanding Industrial Laser Safety

    Lasers are becoming increasingly common in New Zealand workplaces, but many businesses may not fully understand the risks that come with them. In this episode of The Health and Safety Hub, Rebekah Stephens sits down with Ruth Nicholson from the NZ Laser Training Institute to discuss the often-overlooked hazards associated with industrial laser use.   From eye injuries and burns to hazardous airborne contaminants, Ruth explains why proper training, risk assessment and controls are essential for keeping workers safe. The conversation also explores common misconceptions about laser safety, the responsibilities of PCBUs, and practical steps businesses can take to better manage this emerging workplace risk.   Information on the EMA’s health and safety training courses and consulting can be found here. The Health and Safety Hub is the official podcast for the National Safety Show 2026. This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  5. Sep 29

    #29 | Tackling Workplace Harm: Introducing the Harm Reduction Hub

    New Zealand continues to sit near the top of the OECD workplace harm rankings for all the wrong reasons. Our workplace harm rate is 52% higher than Australia's. Seventy workers lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2024. Workplace injuries cost ACC more than $815 million in 2025, while workplace harm contributes to an estimated $2 billion in lost productivity every year.   In this episode of The Health and Safety Hub, EMA Health & Safety Advisor Rebekah Stephens joins host Kevin Chambers to explore why workplace harm remains such a persistent challenge, the barriers businesses face, and how organisations can move beyond compliance and box-ticking to practical, people-focused harm prevention.   They discuss the Harm Reduction Hub, powered by the EMA, a community-driven platform designed to help businesses prevent harm before it happens. Bringing together expert guidance, practical tools, training, real-world case studies and peer learning, the Hub aims to make health and safety simpler, more accessible and more effective for businesses of every size. It is a place where leaders can find answers, build capability and take meaningful action to create healthier, safer workplaces.   Explore the Harm Reduction Hub: harmreductionhub.co.nz  This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  6. Sep 22

    #28 | Health, Safety and Productivity: Why Early Intervention Matters

    In this episode of the Health and Safety Hub, Kevin Chambers talks with Scott Jacobs, Chief Customer Officer at Habit Health, about the growing connection between workplace health, safety and productivity. Drawing on Habit Health’s experience supporting businesses across New Zealand, Scott discusses injury management, mental wellbeing, occupational health, and why early intervention can make a significant difference to recovery and return-to-work outcomes. The conversation also explores the challenges of an ageing workforce, changing employee expectations around wellbeing, and the practical steps employers can take to support healthier, safer and more productive workplaces Information on the EMA’s health and safety training courses and consulting can be found here. The Health and Safety Hub is the official podcast for the National Safety Show 2026. This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  7. Sep 16

    # 27 | Forklift Safety in Action: Lessons from the Factory Floor

    Forklifts are the backbone of many New Zealand workplaces, but they also bring significant safety risks. In this episode of The Health and Safety Hub, Kevin Chambers talks with Raman Singh, QHSE Manager at Pharmapac, about the practical steps his organisation is taking to improve forklift safety. From speed limiters and proximity sensors to driver competency, load management and warehouse design, Raman shares real-world insights from a busy manufacturing environment. Whether you're responsible for health and safety, manage a warehouse, or operate forklifts yourself, this episode offers valuable lessons for creating a safer workplace. Raman is a graduate of the EMA’s NZ Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety Management (Level 6), the country’s only face-to-face NZQA Level 6 programme for health and safety professionals. More information on the EMA’s health and safety training courses can be found here. The Health and Safety Hub is the official podcast for the National Safety Show 2026. This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

  8. Sep 8

    #26 | What Brown M&M's Can Teach Us About Safety Culture

    Why did legendary rock band Van Halen insist on a bowl of M&M's with all the brown ones removed? In this episode of The Health and Safety Hub, Kevin Chambers speaks with HR educator and podcaster Damian Treanor about the surprising link between the famous "brown M&M" story and workplace safety culture. Together, they explore why people often make different risk decisions at work than they do at home, and how organisations can create a culture where safe behaviours become the norm. It's a practical and engaging discussion on moving beyond systems and procedures to influence the everyday choices that keep people safe. Damian is a facilitator of the EMA’s health and safety training courses; more information on these courses can be found here.  This podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

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About

The EMA’s Health and Safety Hub shares real stories and honest conversations from people working at the coalface of health and safety. As one of New Zealand’s largest NZQA accredited health and safety training providers, the EMA supports organisations with specialist consulting, a dedicated Safety AdviceLine, and a Safety Culture Programme that strengthens everyday workplace behaviours, attitudes, and decisions from leadership to the frontline. The podcast series is proudly produced in partnership with nib.

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