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Health and Safety
11 July 2024
Keeping you and your staff pain-free at work
Health and Safety often focuses on the more obvious – machinery that’s likely to cause accidents or working conditions with factors that are hard to minimise. But what if your business is primarily office or store based or your employees are out visiting clients? There are health and safety risks here that are often overlooked.
Optimise your office work space
In the office you’re often sitting for large chunks of time, so the health and safety risk is that you’re NOT moving or taking breaks. Long term this can create discomfort, pain and if left untreated - long-term injury to your neck, arm or hand. Here are some things to consider when optimising your work space:
- Incorrect chairs. Whether they’re at the wrong height, old, broken, or sloping, seat position is an easy fix and makes a huge difference. If you’re buying work chairs, check their seating tolerance. You need one that can withstand 6-8 hours of use. And choose one that is able to be adjusted in multiple ways.
- Screen height. Our bodies like to be neutral, not straining to look up, down, or on an angle for eight hours a day. Adjust your screen height so that your eye level is at the top of the toolbar. You can buy screen adjusters or prop your screen up (old telephone books are a favourite).
- Mouse overuse. The mouse is more problematic than the keyboard. By having your hand and finger poised to press the button, the muscles in your forearm are always activated. To avoid tendinitis, move the mouse closer to you and only use it when you need it.
- Posture. Make sure you work with a neutral posture. This means head and shoulders are lined up, and hips, knees and elbows are at 90-degrees.
- Lack of movement. Make sure you and your team are moving regularly, even if it’s just getting up for a cup of tea, chatting with workmates, or going outside for fresh air. Regular movements prevent injury and pain.
- Laptop users. Ideally, you have a laptop stand, separate keyboard, and foot stand to create an optimal sitting position.
If you’re out-and-about/driving, some things to consider are:
- Seat position. Getting this right is really important. Check lumbar support is adequate because if you’re sitting with arms and legs extended, it puts pressure on your nervous system and can cause back problems and sciatica.
- Steering wheel height. Some people get a sore neck after driving because they’ve had their hands on the steering wheel and their neck and arms are rigid.
- Stay neutral to avoid sore lower back and shoulders.
- Fatigue. If you’re slow to respond, have difficulty making decisions quickly, drifting off, or don’t notice you’re speeding (or getting somewhere and not remembering driving there), you need a break. Remember, it’s not the same as being tired, it’s when your brain isn’t processing things as it should be, and without awareness, you could make mistakes on the road.
Hospitality/warehouse/retail
If you’re on your feet a lot at work and walking around, you won’t have too much of an issue. However, it’s the static standing that can cause sore feet, knees, hip and back. Long-term effects can be debilitating, including inflammation to the arch of your foot (Plantar Fasciitis), which can cause so much pain it becomes impossible to stand, and it’s tricky to fix. The chance of discomfort, pain and injury is underestimated in workplaces where people are on their feet a lot, like in a warehouse.
If you stand a lot at work, some tips are:
- Footwear. Make sure everyone has appropriate, well-fitted footwear. Consider orthotics, heel cups, or gel inserts to take off some of the pressure.
- Movement. Make sure staff are moving and walking, not just standing.
- Rubber mats. Anti-pressure mats create a softer surface to stand on, which can make a huge difference. Or offer a seat so they can sit down and take a load off.
Health and Safety isn’t just about avoiding accidents, but about creating a work environment where your employees are prevented from long-term injuries is just as important. It also makes your employees feel valued and that you care about their wellbeing. Even implementing some of this suggestions in stages can have a positive effect in your workplace.
At Gunson McLean we are more than just a business offering financial expertise we also support our communities in Dargaville and Whangārei. By partnering with various local organisations, we help sustain and strengthen sports, recreation, and community initiatives in the region. Empowering Local Sports Clubs We understand the role sports play in bringing people together, promoting teamwork, and supporting youth development. We are proud to sponsor the Old Boys Marist Rugby & Sports Club, Hikurangi Rugby Football Club Inc, Maungakaramea Hockey Club, Maungakaramea Bowling Club, Mid Western Rugby Squash Club, Kamo Rugby & Squash Club, New Zealand Vikings Rugby Football Club Inc., and the Cobham Cricket Club. Promoting Outdoor Education We also believe that outdoor education is essential for youth development and are proud to work with the charitable trust, Pātaua Outdoor Education & Recreation Trust (POERT). We have been closely involved in the Trust’s activities for the past 8 years – handlings its financial matters – and Craig Gunson is the current Treasurer. Backing Community Halls & Facilities We’re proud to support the Whareora Hall Society and Whareora Cemetery Board as well as local cycling and motorcycling groups Marsden Wheelers Cycling Club Inc., and the Whangārei Motorcycle Club. We are passionate about the causes we support, and the opportunities and growth this enables in our Dargaville and Whangārei communities.
These days, having a website isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must have! Whether you’re running an online store, offering services, or just sharing valuable info, your website is often the first impression people get of your business. But just having a website isn’t enough. It needs to run smoothly, engage visitors, and actually help your business grow. When was the last time you thought about how well your website was helping your business? Your website might be turning people away without you even realising it—maybe your site is too slow, hard to navigate, or just not appearing in search results. Here’s why website analysis is so crucial: Better User Experience (UX) – A well-organised, easy-to-use site keeps visitors engaged and more likely to take action, whether that’s making a purchase, booking a service, or getting in touch. Stronger SEO Performance – Google and other search engines favour websites that load fast, work well on mobile, and are optimised for relevant keywords. If you’re not ranking, you’re missing out on traffic. Higher Conversion Rates – Even if you’re getting visitors, are they turning into customers? Website analysis can highlight issues like confusing layouts, weak calls to action, or technical errors that might be affecting conversions. Staying Ahead of Competitors – Regularly analysing your site helps you stay up to date with trends and customer expectations, keeping you competitive. What to Look Out for When Analysing Your Website Before you pay anyone the big bucks, you can perform a basic analysis of your own website by considering the following five things: 1. How quickly does your website load? How long does it take for your website to load? A long load time will turn people away. Utilise a device that you don’t often use to check how quickly your website loads. Aim for a load time under three seconds. 2. How easy is it to navigate? Is your site easy to navigate, and can visitors quickly find what they need? 3. Is your site mobile-friendly? More and more people browse on their phones, so make sure your site works well on all devices – most websites will work well on computers but what about mobile phones or iPads and Tablets? 4. Are you using up-to-date terminology? Does your site have relevant keywords to help visitors find your website? These keywords are used by search engines to help them decide which websites to show to people searching for products or services you offer. If you have articles or help guides, are these high-quality and informative? Improving both of these will help your ranking in search engines. 5. How easy is it to contact you? Check your contact forms are working and easy to fill in (no one likes having to repeatedly try and submit a form). How easy is it for customers to checkout, or make a booking? Remove unnecessary steps to simplify the process. Best Tools for Website Analysis There are plenty of tools to help businesses keep their websites in check. Some of the most useful include: Google Analytics – Get insights into user behaviour, traffic sources, and conversion rates. GTmetrix – Checks page load speed and suggests ways to improve it. For the more tech-savvy: Google Search Console – Track how your site appears in search results and fix any technical issues. PageSpeed Insights – Find out how fast your site loads and how to make it faster. SEMrush / Ahrefs – Great for SEO analysis, keyword tracking, and competitor research. Hotjar – Offers heatmaps and session recordings to see how people interact with your site. If you’re not regularly checking in on your website’s performance, you could be losing customers without even knowing it. People expect smooth online experiences, and businesses that don’t meet those expectations risk falling behind. A slow, outdated, or hard-to-use site means frustrated visitors who will likely go to a competitor instead. A lack of relevant keywords or a slow-loading website can hurt your visibility, making it even harder for people to find you online. If you haven’t checked in on your site’s performance lately, now’s the time to start. A well-optimised website can be the difference between thriving online and getting lost in the crowd.
Most people agree that optimising your business is a good idea and spend hours looking at optimising the supply chain, storage, overheads etc. However, they forget that people are one of the most critical elements in your business. By providing a caring, supportive workplace for employees you also drive the success of your business. Studies show happy workers are productive workers and, as an employer, it’s a no-brainer to provide a workplace where employees feel valued, and where they can flourish. Here are five key ways to build employee relationships, nurture your team, and create a great workplace for your employees: 1. Invest in your employees This doesn’t mean ‘casual Friday’s’ or a pizza night once a month. This is about offering your employees access to training programmes, workshops, conferences, and mentorship programmes. It’s about the professional growth of your employee and how you can enhance their skills and make them feel truly valued as team members. 2. Create a positive work environment Creating a positive work environment is about cultivating a workplace culture that feels positive and supportive of your employees. Be open and transparent with your employees, listen to their feedback and have a strong focus on employee wellbeing. This could include offering flexible working arrangements, benefits such as health insurance, and other perks. 3. Recognise and reward your employees When an employee goes above and beyond, make sure your recognise and reward them. This could by through a performance bonus, employee-of-the-month programmes or even extra time off in lieu. Feeling valued comes partially from feeling rewarded and can be an amazing motivator. 4. Give employees autonomy One of the key ways employees feel trust, is by being given autonomy. Being trusted to come up with their own solutions, processes, and ideas is key to making people feel as if they ‘own’ their role. This helps employees feel fully involved and also brings new ideas, solutions, processes, and efficiencies to the table. 5. Put wellbeing at the heart of your culture Life is stressful. And work-life can be stressful. A well though out wellbeing programme can help your employees manage stress and, in turn, benefits your business. A wellbeing programme is different for each business but some ideas could be checking in with team members, creating a ‘ask for help’ culture, flexible working arrangements including work-from-home days, and offering mental health support. Making sure you’re a caring and supportive employer is vital to your business strategy. With a team who feel valued, nurtured, and encouraged, you’ll all be happier and more productive.
To discuss all your account matters please call us on 09 438 1001
