Festive Shutdown: Tips for Housekeeping

Festive Shutdown: Tips for Housekeeping

As the festive season approaches, many businesses, particularly those in manufacturing and construction, opt for a break over Christmas. While it’s a great time to recharge, it’s also important to ensure a smooth transition and a safe restart. Here are some housekeeping tips to help you prepare your workshop for the festive break:

Pre-Shutdown Checklist:
  • Clean and Tidy: A clean workspace is a safe workspace. Thoroughly clean all machinery, tools, and work areas.
  • Maintenance and Servicing: Schedule necessary maintenance and servicing for machinery and equipment.
  • Stocktake: Conduct a thorough inventory to ensure you have adequate supplies for the new year.
  • Secure Tools and Equipment: Store all tools and equipment in a secure location to prevent theft and damage.
  • Disconnect Power and Gas: If possible, disconnect power and gas supplies to minimize the risk of accidents.
Post-Shutdown Checklist:
  • Thorough Inspection: Upon returning, conduct a thorough inspection of the workshop to identify any potential issues, such as pests, leaks, or damage.
  • Test Equipment: Test all machinery and equipment to ensure they are functioning correctly.
  • Replenish Supplies: Stock up on necessary supplies and materials to ensure a smooth start to the new year.
  • Review Safety Procedures: Remind your team of safety protocols and conduct refresher training if needed.

By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth transition into and out of your Christmas break, minimising downtime and maximising productivity. A well-prepared workshop will help you start the new year strong.

Fire Safety Tips for a Festive Season

Stay Safe This Summer: Fire Safety Awareness for the Long, Dry Months Ahead

As we head into another long, dry Kiwi summer, fire danger across worksites, forestry operations, industrial yards, and even office environments increases significantly. Hot weather, low humidity, dry vegetation, and high winds can turn a small spark into a serious incident in minutes.

At Industry Training Works, we want to support your team to stay safe, stay prepared, and stay confident in managing fire risks – especially during the most vulnerable months of the year.

Why Summer Fire Preparedness Matters

Each year, workplaces face increased exposure to:

  • Machinery-related sparks
  • Hot-work operations
  • Dry material accumulation
  • Overheated equipment and electrical faults
  • Outdoor activity near dry vegetation

Taking proactive steps now helps protect your people, your equipment, and your site.

Fire Extinguisher Training – Short, Practical, Onsite

We offer fire extinguisher training designed to equip your team with the confidence and capability to identify the right extinguisher, take quick action, and safely control a small fire before it escalates.

Options available:

  • Short Unit Standard Courses (NZQA-aligned)
  • Non-NZQA Upskill Courses for quick team refreshers
  • Practical sessions using real extinguishers

All training can be delivered onsite at your workplace or at one of our ITW training centres.

FREE Onsite Fire Extinguisher Checks – This Summer Only

To help businesses stay safe during the highest fire-risk period, ITW is offering:

Free Fire Extinguisher Inspections (Onsite)

A complimentary check to ensure your extinguishers are:

  • Correctly placed
  • Accessible
  • Within current service dates
  • The right type for the job
  • Safe and ready to use

(It’s not a certified service-tagging process, but a practical readiness check to support your compliance and peace of mind.)

Bookings are essential and spaces will fill fast.

Protect Your People. Protect Your Site. Protect Your Summer.

Whether you need training, upskilling, or an expert eye over your equipment, our team is here to support you through the dry season.

📞 To book training or a free extinguisher check, contact us today.

0800 489 5669 | ✉️ itw@itw.org.nz

Refresher Training

Stay Site-Ready for 2025: Refresher Training for Key Industry Skills

As we approach the new year, it’s essential to ensure your team is fully prepared to meet site access requirements for 2025. Many industries now require up-to-date certifications for skills such as confined space entry, working at heights, MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), and first aid. Keeping these qualifications current not only ensures compliance but also reinforces safety standards in the workplace.

Why Refresher Training Matters:

  • Compliance: Many certifications need regular renewal to meet site access and legal requirements.
  • Safety: Refresher courses reinforce vital safety skills, helping prevent workplace accidents and injuries.
  • Productivity: A well-trained team works more efficiently and confidently, even in high-risk environments.

We offer flexible, industry-leading refresher training sessions to help your team stay certified and site-ready. Our courses are designed to align with current standards and include practical, hands-on learning to ensure your workers are fully prepared for any challenge.

Don’t let expired certifications hold your team back in 2025! Book your refresher training today to stay ahead of the curve and maintain seamless site access in the new year. Contact us to schedule your session and start 2025 on the right track.

HEALTH & SAFETY LEGISLATION

Advanced Health & Safety Rep (including Legislation)

Advanced Health & Safety Representative (including Legislation)

This course is the advanced version of the normal 1 day Health & Safety Representative course. This Advanced course is 2 days and also includes Unit Standard 30264: Health and Safety Legislation giving participants the opportunity to earn two qualifications in one comprehensive training.

By completing this advanced course, Health and Safety Representatives will gain both Unit Standard 29315: Health and Safety Representative and Unit Standard 30264: Health and Safety Legislation. This dual qualification provides in-depth knowledge of the representative’s role and responsibilities while offering a deeper understanding of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and how it applies to workplace safety and compliance.

This enhanced course ensures representatives leave with the tools and knowledge to effectively advocate for safety and compliance in their organizations. 

NZQA UNITS

29315:   Describe the role and functions of the Health and Safety Representative in a New Zealand workplace

30264:   Describe duties, rights, representation and the regulator in terms of New Zealand health and safety legislation

N.B. The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSW Act) prompted a change in the standard of training for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs). Unit standard 29315 now replaces unit standard 20918 as the recognised industry standard for Health and Safety Representatives.

DURATION

Two Days

OUR TRAINING SITES

To book a course at our training sites in Kinleith or Kawerau use the online booking tool below, email us or call us on 0800 ITW 5669 (0800 489 5669).

TRAINING AT YOUR PLACE

To run this course at your workplace please email us or call us on 0800 ITW 5669 (0800 489 5669).

ATTENDEE NUMBERS:

Maximum of 12

ENTRY CRITERIA

Knowledge of Hazard Identification and general health & safety in the workplace is strongly recommended.

Health and Safety Courses

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Please contact us directly if you are wanting group bookings or you are looking for alternative scheduled date to the ones currently available.

Cancellation Policy:  Cancellations are accepted via phone or email only.  Registrations not cancelled by 10 am, two days prior to the course will require payment.  However, substitutions are welcome.

OTHER COURSES

eLEARNING CONFINED SPACE ENTRANT

HAZARD ID &
RISK ASSESSMENT

eLEARNING
RISKAWARE

UPCOMING
COURSES

Best course I have ever done, plenty of knowledge, never dull.  Thank you.

Very useful knowledge and a very fun and humourous trainer. Thank you so much.

Housekeeping

The Importance of Housekeeping in the Workplace

Good housekeeping is more than just keeping your workplace tidy—it’s a critical element of maintaining a safe and productive environment. Poor housekeeping can lead to hazards such as slips, trips, falls, and fire risks, making it essential for every employee to understand its importance.

To support businesses in fostering a safer workplace, we’re excited to announce that we’re developing a dedicated Housekeeping Training Session. This practical course will equip workers with the knowledge and skills to identify and address common hazards, implement effective housekeeping practices, and contribute to a safer work environment for everyone.

Stay tuned for updates on the launch of this new training session, and contact us if you’d like to learn more or express interest in advance bookings. Let’s work together to make safety a priority through better workplace housekeeping!