Tony Rigg

Background

I am a successful health and safety practitioner with over 18 years’ experience in all aspects of health and safety who works with professionalism and integrity at all times.  I have been involved with a wide range of business types including civil and structural construction, farming, manufacturing, forestry, film and television, hospitality, body corporates, property development and maintenance, and hairdressing.  I have also been involved in the health care industry including my time as a paramedic and care for the aged and disabled. 

During my career I have always kept in mind that my job is both about the people and the company.  The number of different roles that I have had, and the varying different cultures that I have worked within, has given me a very good understanding of how to affect cultural change within a company or a workplace.

I have a very good understanding of the effects on a company and a workplace if there is an inadequate safety culture.  My main strengths are the ability to analyse a system and simplify it, and then with my vast experience in adult education, be able to roll it out to all levels of managers and employees.  I communicate effectively with people in stressful situations.  I am very hands on, and I enjoy being on site working with the team to change their behaviour.  I like to encourage, support, and empower staff to look after their own health and safety and that of those around them.

My experience as a Governmental Safety Inspector gave me the aptitude to see both sides of the fence.  This also gave me a very good understanding of the regulations and standards required.  I’ve also been involved in the management and investigation of a number of serious and fatal accidents including successfully defending companies against prosecution and achieving good outcomes for all parties.  I have also been involved in numerous WorkSafe NZ “Duty Holder Reviews” where the outcome has been no further action against the parties involved.

All of my experience culminated in me winning the Safeguard Health and Safety Practitioner of the Year 2012 and being elected as National Manager for the Institute of Safety Management.

In 2013 I established my own consultancy company, to assist companies with practical health and safety advice and training.