National Health & Safety: RESET Programme

Michaela Murray is our National HSSQ Manager here at Cook Brothers Construction. In 2024, she won the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award at the NZ Building People Awards for developing the RESET Programme.

The RESET Programme was initiated in response to an increase in high-risk incidents following our team's return to work from the COVID-19 lockdown. Upon investigation, it was found that our team struggled with effective replanning after changes in their work.

Leveraging neuroscience principles and building on our existing Red Brain/Blue Brain stress management training, the HSSQ team, led by Michaela, set to work on creating an engaging programme for the national team. This initiative highlighted the difference in our brain's ability to function under pressure versus stepping back and using Worksafe’s “Taking 5” principle, which our health and safety committees rebranded as “RESET.” The programme aimed to utilise gamification to engage with the team and inspire collaboration, sharing, and interaction.

Michaela’s creativity and dedication as our HSSQ Manager are evident in her successful nationwide implementation of the program, which engaged over 200 team members, secured buy-in from senior leadership and embedded a new way of thinking into our company culture. It was launched as a fun gameshow-style event enjoyed by all team members where they participated in their Regions.

Practical health and safety initiatives are the most effective when dealing with tangible learners, so the programme featured a roadshow with team-based competitions, quizzes and activities. Our teams completed time pressure activities sparking a Red Brain response, then a slower-paced challenge and engaging the blue brain. Each activity validated the RESET concept, emphasising the importance of accurate and effective choices made with time and an engaged blue brain.

Health, Safety, Security, and Quality (HSSQ) is a tough sell. Legislation, rigorous documentation, "red tape," and the impression of the negative effects on productivity can make it challenging. Michaela has always utilised open and honest communication, encouraging others to find a way to engage with the content and find meaning. The RESET program was an excellent example of how she adapted what could have been an underutilised rollout into an engaging, interactive experience that has become part of the ethos of the wider business. 

Michaela’s RESET initiative not only addressed high-risk incidents effectively but also fostered a culture of engagement, continuous improvement and fun.

Creating a safer and more robust project environment for the Cook Brothers Construction team nationwide.