Health and safety: leading change from the inside out

At Kā te Rama Switched On Group, health and safety is more than a checklist. It is a commitment to people, to progress, and to creating workplaces where everyone feels safe, included, and valued. Our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team is leading a powerful transformation across the Group that is delivering real results.

With a focus on behavioural change, leadership, and proactive risk management, their mahi is supporting our Group to reach our goal of zero harm in the workplace, with harm-related injuries reduced by 43 percent in just the past 12 months. This success is the result of increased communication, engagement and education for leaders, teams and trade partners, and more activity across our work sites.

Spotlight on leadership: Kristal McGill

A driving force behind this momentum is Kristal McGill, our General Manager of Health, Safety & Wellbeing, who recently made it to the final interview stage of the New Zealand Women in Construction Awards in the Outstanding Leader of the Year category.

Kristal has introduced practical and inclusive initiatives that are lifting standards and changing lives across the Group. From free online training and toolbox talks in multiple languages, to executive site visits and mental health events, Kristal and her team ensure that every person feels equipped, informed, and supported to prioritise their health, safety and hauora.

She has rolled out a pilot programme to support more subcontractors to achieve SiteWise certification, or improve their score, and has improved health and safety systems across multiple regions. She also provides mentorship to others in leadership roles and actively supports mental wellbeing by promoting and collaborating with organisations such as I Am Hope and MATES in Construction. She is shaping a future where safety is something everyone owns.

The strength of the team

It is the collective effort of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team that makes progress a reality.

Together, the team has achieved:

• 95 percent of kaimahi  reporting a clear understanding of their health and safety responsibilities
• Top health, safety and wellbeing engagement scores across all business units (+90% across all annual staff engagement survey questions)
• Stronger partnerships with subcontractors who are now better equipped and better certified to meet safety and compliance standards.

The team’s work spans our complex and diverse operations, and the outcomes are being felt on every site. Whether it is rolling out wellbeing campaigns, delivering targeted training, or building trust with contractors, the team consistently shows care, leadership, and a commitment to improvement.

Health & Safety Officer Grace Colville collaborating with Trade Services Representative Sarah
Saunders on a Movember Toolbox Talk

A culture of care
At the heart of this work is a belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and supported at work. That belief drives everything the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team does. It is seen in their willingness to listen, their ability to adapt, and their focus on building relationships that last.

As the team continues to innovate and lead, the goal is clear: to embed a zero-harm culture that is understood and lived by all. Thanks to the leadership of Kristal and the strength of the team around her, that goal is more achievable than ever.

We are proud to celebrate this mahi and the people behind it. Ngā mihi nui to our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team for all you do to keep our people safe.

Wellington trades during a Toolbox Talk activity