Performance Through Safety
Article
Health and safety is often seen as a compliance burden - something businesses have to do. But at Te Ara Hiranga, we believe health and safety is one of the most powerful strategic levers a business can use to drive performance, win work, and build a trusted brand.
Put simply: when done well, H&S reduces risk and raises results.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Let’s be clear - the consequences of poor health and safety aren’t just reputational. They’re operational, financial, legal, and personal.
- Lost productivity due to incidents, injuries, or investigations
- Higher ACC levies and insurance premiums
- Delays and rework from avoidable safety failures
- Legal liability for directors under the HSWA
- Difficulty attracting top-tier clients or tenders
And, most importantly - people get hurt.
The Payoff of Getting It Right
When safety is integrated into the DNA of a business, the benefits are measurable and far-reaching:
- Lower costs from fewer disruptions, claims, and absences
- Better morale and retention - especially in skilled, tight labour markets
- Improved quality and consistency through risk-informed processes
- Competitive advantage in tenders through Tōtika and ISO45001 certifications
- Stronger reputation with regulators, partners, and communities
According to ACC and international data, businesses with mature H&S systems outperform their peers across both financial and cultural metrics.
Safety as Strategy: The Te Ara Hiranga Approach
We treat safety as more than a function - we embed it into your leadership, systems, and performance culture.
Here’s how:
1. Strategic Planning
We help businesses align H&S objectives with their commercial goals. Want to win more government contracts? Want to reduce insurance overheads? Want to be a preferred contractor? We build the H&S pathway that gets you there.
2. Risk Assurance
Our risk-based approach ensures your resources are focused where they matter most - not wasted on low-impact paperwork. We help you identify your “top 5” risks and ensure controls are working in practice, not just on paper.
3. System Efficiency
Through tools like Safe365 and Qualify365, we streamline reporting, evidence collection, and assurance - saving time and making compliance easier.
4. Performance Dashboards
We design reporting tools that give directors and managers real-time visibility over safety performance. No more chasing reports or guessing where the gaps are.
5. Capability Building
We deliver onsite and online training, toolbox talks, and coaching to lift your team’s safety awareness and leadership at every level - from boardroom to toolbox.
A Business Case in Action: IAMSL
One of our clients, IAMSL, went from basic compliance to full national prequalification across Tōtika, Safe365, SiteWise, and Impac. As a result, they:
- Secured contracts with Downer, Vector, and Electrix
- Embedded H&S into their daily ops - not just audits
- Developed a culture of safety leadership, not just compliance
Want to Raise Performance Through Safety?
It starts with a conversation. Whether you're a small contractor looking to grow or a large organisation aiming to lift your game, we can help turn H&S into a genuine strategic asset.
Te Ara Hiranga: Paving the way to excellence - safely. Contact [email protected] to get started
