Site Safe has partnered up with St John to provide even greater value to the construction industry. One of the outcomes of this is the development of a new Site Safe higher level training course.

Employers have a responsibility to train their employees and confirm they are competent in the use of all their plant. Do you have sufficient supervision and controls in place to ensure they also know how to correctly assemble and use mobile scaffolds?

Site Safe's Chief Executive Alison Molloy said "in particular Site Safe supports the recommendations: greater worker involvement, a new agency working closely with ACC Government Procurement Practices, and improved incentives to reward good health and safety performance."

The Site Safe Board of Directors are pleased to announce the appointment of Site Safe's new Chief Executive, Alison Molloy started this role on the 30 April 2013.

The Site Safe NZ Inc prices now include GST. Since 1 April 2013 - price changes have been made on selected items from our broader safety product range and all training products. Price adjustments to AppCon fees will be effective from 1 May 2013 and Site Safe membership fees will be effective from 1 June 2013.

A Passport Renewal Options survey was sent to all Site Safe Member Companies, as well as all Companies who had undertaken training with Site Safe.

Department of Labour v VLI Drilling Pty Ltd and South Pacific Meats Ltd v New Zealand Meat Workers Union Inc.

Site Safe NZ Inc submitted a paper for the Independent Task Force on Workplace Health and Safety consultation and raised some key issues.

Click here to view this years Site Safe Certificate in Construction Site Safety Graduates

Click here to view the winners of the Inaugural Site Safe Construction Health & Safety Awards.

The Pike River disaster of 19 November 2010 will bring about many changes to the operation of high hazard workplaces through increased government regulatory funding, an established high hazard unit and a health and safety system independent taskforce review.

View the full report, click here

1. MBIE caution notice on unsafe use of Ceiling Battens as a method of fall prevention

2. SARNZ Scaffolding Certificates of Competence due for renewal

3. The New Zealand Herald - ''Safety swoop shuts sites''

Wellington project management company Icon Projects Limited has been fined $13,000 after it failed to ensure adequate health and safety systems were in place on a worksite it was managing.

Site Safe 2011/2012 Annual Report is now available to view. Site Safe New Zealand Inc will hold its Annual General Meeting on September 24, 2012, at the Wellington Site Safe office.

Site Safe in conjunction with Unitec are pleased to announce 6 Scholarships targeting trainees to complete the Certificate in Construction Site Safety.

The use of occupational helmets, commonly known as "hard hats", protect workers from hazards such as being struck by falling objects or from striking the head against a fixed or protruding object. Hard hats also protect against other hazards such as inadvertent contact with electricity, exposure to UV, weather, and extremes of temperature.

To help Schools, Polytechnics and Universities encourage students to recognise the benefits of safe behaviour at work, Site Safe has introduced a new student rate for Site Safe Passport training. It is hoped that early health and safety training will assist future generations to create a safer construction industry.

How do you make eight stories of four-sided scaffolding a healthy and safe environment in amongst after-shocks, snow, rain, wind and in a tight deadline? Lauren Cahill speaks to Walter Savage the Senior Construction Manager from Arrow International to find out.

Want to renew your Advanced Passport Training card? You may have noticed that there is no specific 'Update' course available for Advanced Passport training so we have outlined the options for you when your card is about to expire.

Safety Manager – intuitive management software was officially launched at the 2011 National Safety Show.   The focus for developing Safety Manager was to focus on real client needs and to make that as functional and user-friendly as possible. The cost is as competitive and is looking to have a high adoption rate.

Members can now view the 2011/2010 Annual Report by looking under the Members tab.

The last price adjustment was in November 2009.  As a result of a recent review, we wish to advise that the prices included will be effective from 1 April 2011.

These price increases are necessary to ensure we can continue to deliver the quality products and services that we are proud to acknowledge are making a real difference to the New Zealand construction safety culture.

The Site Safe Christchurch team is now working from its office Unit 3/10 Acheron Drive, Middleton, Christchurch.
As of March 21, standard training has been up and running, this includes the Building Construction Passport. For enquires about training or other services please refer to either this website for updates or contact us on 03 348 5788.

The Minister of Labour, Hon Kate Wilkinson has publically released the National Action Agenda 2010-2013 - you can view it here: www.dol.govt.nz/whss/ .

Updated advice has been issued for outdoor workers with specific information on how to protect themselves from ultraviolet (UV) light, in time for the height of the summer.
 
The fact sheet sets out simple steps workers can take to protect themselves from UV rays and it also provides information about health monitoring for employers and their staff. 

At Site Safe, we’re committed to delivering the best service we can. One way of doing that is through our online booking system, which aims to provide a fast and efficient means of getting you and your colleagues on the right training course; no hassle.

To make sure we’re getting it right, we recently asked over a hundred customers what they thought of the online booking service.

The Wellington Trades Apprentice Safety Challenge on November 26 was a successful and innovative way to raise safety awareness for younger workers in the construction industry.

The teams were from trades spread across the industry - from carpenters to scaffolders to mechanical engineers. The competition involved teams of 4 trades apprentices taking part in practical exercises and activities for which they are awarded points for safety knowledge and skills.

On the 13 December, Charter main contractor companies and 26 subcontractor companies got together to sit down and discuss as a group – how to improve health and safety practices in their working business partnerships.

A number of subjects were covered such as site specific safety plans and how the Charter Accreditation, audits and industry benchmarking operates. New ideas on how to improve the current working arrangements were exchanged between the groups attending.

One day a steel fixer contractor arrived at one of our construction sites and was told he needed safety glasses. He objected strenuously and only decided he would borrow a pair when he was told the alternative was to leave site . . . 

The Department of Labour will visit 100 major hirers and sellers of forklifts within the next couple of months to raise awareness of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when fuel-powered forklifts are used in poorly ventilated areas like cool stores.

Recently nine Safety Advisors completed the NEBOSH International General Certificate. This qualification is internationally recognised and covers and extensive range of topics for the management of safety and health, controlling workplace hazards and a practical assessment of skills.

A campaign to highlight leadership and good news stories of health and safety in construction was launched 28 October.

The stories will be delivered monthly via free to receive ‘E-Alerts' from Site Safe New Zealand. Each story will also be featured on the Site Safe website home-page for a month.

A Christchurch company has been sentenced after one of its workers was seriously injured when the telephone pole he was working on broke due to below ground rot.

The Department of Labour is reminding employers that they must do all they can to protect their workers after a North Shore employee was killed unloading sheets of glass.

Here is some useful information to keep you safe during the demolition and repair phase.

The Annual Report celebrates the achievements and results of the past finacial year and recognises those involved in assisting Site Safe promote and advance a culture of safety in the construction industry.

Our congratulations to Naylor Love Construction, one of our Charter Accredited members, on reaching 100 years in business.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The Labour Department is reminding employers to be vigilant when identifying possible employee hazards in the workplace.

A company was ordered to pay a fine of $39,000 and reparation of $10,000 for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure an employee was not exposed to hazards.

The Minister of Labour, Kate Wilkinson, opened the second day of the National Safeguard Health and Safety Conference with the unveiling of a complete new action plan, to combat workplace injuries and deaths in New Zealand and a new document which will assist contractors and employers.

The new Electrical Safety Regulations have come in effect from April 1 ^st 2010. This means that the AS/NZS 3000/2007 standard, including amendment 1, commonly known as the Wiring Rules have been cited and is also in effect from April 1 ^st .

In May, the New Zealand Government set up the Construction Industry Strategic Group to engage on key issues. The group of senior sector people will be chaired by Richard Aitken, who is also the chair of Beca Group Ltd. 

 Read more at www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1005/S00070.htm

Streamlining of the Licensed Building Practitioner scheme
Building Act Review aims: 

Some hot topics that were debated in the review were:

New Zealand companies have been given a timely reminder to be more aware of the dangers surrounding working in confined space. The recent confined space accident took place on board a log carrier at Marsden Point in Northland, where two men suffocated due to a lack of oxygen and a third man who was critically ill as a result was air-lifted to hospital.

It has been estimated that performing a task inside a confined space is 150 times more hazardous than doing the same job outside of a confined space.

Updating your details online has its rewards

A project completed in 2009 at the NZ Oil Services Ltd ( NZOSL) Seaview Terminal in Lower Hutt was a classic demonstration of the importance of planning as the most effective means of controlling falls from height. A section of the roof was deemed un-fit for purpose and required replacing. The project presented a number of safety risks, one of the most significant of these being working at height in close proximity to the roof edge.

The Best Practise Guidelines for Scaffolding is an industry led statement of preferred work practices, or arrangements, for the purpose of ensuring the highest levels of health and safety for all those affected by scaffolding activities in New Zealand.

The main goals of licensing are to update and simplify the regulation of building work while still ensuring quality.

What work will be restricted to LBPs to do or supervise? From March 2012 ‘restricted building work' under the Building Act will mean work that is critical to the integrity of the structure of a house or a small-medium apartment building.

Site Safe has been working closely with the Department of Building and Housing and is proud to announce that now Licensed Building Practitioners (LBPs) can earn points that count towards the maintenance of their Practitioner's License by attending certain Site Safe courses.

If you are one of the above, then don’t forget that certain Site Safe courses can also gain you credit towards your own sectors’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes

A review of New Zealand's Workplace Health and Safety Strategy has identified key areas where work is needed to reduce workplace deaths and accidents, says Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson.

After extensive public consultation, the Department of Labour (DoL) has recently issued the third edition of the Approved Code of Practice for Cranes which came into effect on 7 January 2010. The complete document is available on the EoL website at www.osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/10.shtml

Established in early 2009 HSANZ is still a new organisation but has already contributed to several programs targeting safety at height.  With a growing membership and commitment to safety the association is dedicated to having a positive impact on the working at height accident rate.

Prosecutions featured continue an unfortunate theme for our industry - falls from height resulting in significant injuries and significant fines.

To save our members’ administration costs; Site Safe will now move to one membership renewal date. After consultation with some members the date chosen was June 1.

Congratulations go to the following five people who won the draw for a $100 MTA voucher.

The presentation "A business case for Health and Safety - and the steps to get there" was delivered to the delegates of the Master Painters Conference. This is an important message for the typically small business representatives who make up the painting industry.

Recently an industry working group met in Wellington to provide feedback and input on a number of areas to the redevelopment of the Building Construction Passport - the training course attended by the majority of New Zealand construction workers.  

Specific changes discussed for the course involve:

·       More use of teamwork and group discussion (e.g. experienced workers sharing their knowledge with new entrants to the industry)

·        An increased use of interactive learning techniques such as virtual site tours.

When asked if Site Safe would like to be part of a fund raising event for the young apprentices at Certified Builders – we decided absolutely. The Certified Builders ‘Builders Day Out’ in Auckland, March 25, was a day of fun and an opportunity for industry to show its support to new recruits.

For those of you who need to hear about ‘the stick' before they decide to change what they are doing, in this Prosecution Corner we feature a couple of incidents in the construction industry have lead to significant prosecutions and fines.  We would like to thank Safeguard, as prosecution information has been reproduced from Safeguard CourtBase, www.safeguard.co.nz .

Wellington , New Zealand , 19/4/2010

Site Safe, today announced:  The construction industry is adopting a new approach to reducing the injury toll by making health and safety more effective through co-ordination across all parts of the industry.

During June all members will be receiving their annual Site Safe membership renewal invoice through to 31 May 2011. By annualising all membership to the same date Site Safe can more efficiently manage the renewal process .

In December 2009, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced she was going to adopt changes suggested by the Department of Labour, and the National government will make further changes still.

Published in June, these notes follow the 'confined space' accident in May where two men suffocated to death in a ship's timber hold at Marsden Point wharf near Whangarei.

It's important to remember that putting work out to contract does not absolve a company or individual from their health and safety obligations and is not necessarily the "easy option". The Department of Labour has launched new guidelines to help principals to contracts to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.   To find out more visit www.dol.govt.nz

For 2010's Safety NZ Week, ACC encouraged all New Zealanders to help keep themselves and their families safe by making simple changes in their homes and workplaces.

Site Safe's annual graduation event is a great night to catch up with colleagues, acknowledge the industry's graduates, and enjoy a few drinks, a good dinner and a lot of laughs with some fine New Zealand entertainment.

To find out more about the event, purchase tickets, or to consider sponsorship opportunities…

The Trades Apprentice Safety Challenge being held on November 26 is a great way to raise safety awareness for younger workers in the construction industry.

The competition involves teams of 4 trades apprentices taking part in practical exercises and activities for which they are awarded points for safety knowledge and skills.

The consistent support from industry is the real success story of the Certificate in Construction Safety. Though we are working in a tough economic climate, 55 companies had graduates in the class of 2010.

In late August, Site Safe convened a workshop in Auckland for the Charter Accredited companies Health & Safety Managers - of which a majority attended. The purpose was to share ideas and experiences on a number of safety matters that impact across the construction industry. The views of the meeting will also be used to guide future development of Site Safe products and services.

On Friday 24 September at the Auckland Training Centre, Penrose the Board and Site Safe members met for the Annual General Meeting.

Falls from height continue to be the major cause of injuries and death within our industry.  There are however many within the industry who still refuse to acknowledge the serious risks associated with working at height.  For those who need to hear about ‘the stick' before they decide to change what they are doing, in this Prosecution Corner is a snapshot of two prosecutions and fines associated with falls from height - both of which resulted in death.  We would like to thank Safeguard, as prosecution information has been reproduced from Safeguard CourtBase, www.safeguard.co.nz.

Personal Protective Equipment (safety eyewear, gloves, respirators, fall protection) is a must in the workplace, especially in situations after an earthquake. People can be exposed to: contaminants and harmful substances in the air, Hazards to hands and arms when handling unknown or dangerous objects, extreme noise levels, or facing loose flying objects in the process.

To support members in the Christchurch region as a result of the earthquake, Site Safe has been offering free consultancy services and ‘Danger' signs to those affected. The Site Safe team have been personally delivering the ‘Danger' signs.

A short course in Angle Grinder safety has been developed in response to the safety concerns of the construction industry (specifically voiced at the Northern Safety Liaison Group).

Based on interaction and discussions with workers who are regular users of angle grinder equipment there appears to be a definite lack of awareness of the potential consequences of incorrect wheel mounting, matching wheel RPM's to machines and general safe practice.

Q&A: Interview with Central Health & Safety Manager AJ Staples of Hawkins Construction - The leadership measures taken in drugs and alcohol prevention and control at Hawkins Construction

Recently in Wellington, a Trades Apprentice Safety Challenge event was run by the Wellington Safety Liaison Group with funding and support from ACC and Industry Stakeholders. As the Wellington created an event ‘how to' guide for other groups to follow, through 2011 other Regional Safety Groups will be able develop similar events. By 2012/13, there should be enough regional teams participating to create a national competition.

March 14 – 25

Tauranga, Taupo, Hamilton, Dunedin, Blenheim, Paraparaumu, Masterton, New Plymouth

It is quite normal to feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with even seemingly simple tasks when something like this happens, please read on to download some ideas on coping strategies.  Whether inside or outside you should stop, drop to the ground and cover your head with your hands.

For the third year running Auckland City Council has chosen to use Site Safe auditing for monitoring main contractor health and safety documentation and site safety practices. With up to 200 items per audit and over 500 audits to date, the Council has built up a significant knowledge base on the quality of work being carried out by contractors working within the Council’s area of responsibility.

For those who need to hear about ‘the stick’ before they decide to change what they are doing, in this Prosecution Corner is a snapshot of two prosecutions and fines associated with falls from height - both of which resulted in death.  We would like to thank Safeguard, as prosecution information has been reproduced from Safeguard CourtBase, www.safeguard.co.nz.

From the 14-25 March, Site Safe Safety Advisors, ACC Injury Prevention Consultants, Department of Labour Regional Managers and local industry groups worked together to put on the Partnership Height Safety tour 2011. 
 
This tour was built on a similar one in May. The sessions involved the presentation of an ex-builder, Rhett Brown, now a tetraplegic as a result of a fall on a residential building site talking about the benefits of safety on site. Rhett had a profound impact on the construction workers and employers in attendance.
 
For the 2011 tour, Rhett Brown and the three organisations joined forces again, this time with a focus on the regional centres.
 
The 2011 Height Safety tour went and visited the following regions: 

• Tauranga 
• Taupo
• Hamilton
• Dunedin
• Blenheim
• Paraparaumu
• Masterton
• New Plymouth

Operate Safe closed operations on 31 January, 2011. No further Operate Safe Stage 1, 2 or 3 certificates, or Operate Safe cards will now be issued.

Roading New Zealand’s decision to close operations coincided with the commencement of the New Zealand Construction Safety Council. The purpose of the Council is to be a forum for common safety issues, facilitate improved safety culture across the construction sector, determine safety standards and service providers, set injury reduction targets and work with Government agencies. The Construction Safety Council expects to have a new training framework agreed across the whole construction industry by the end of 2011.

Each year ACC is required to review and propose levy rates. In late 2010 Site Safe made a submission on three issues to which ACC have responded.

In December 2010, the Minister for ACC Hon Nick Smith announced a number of changes for ACC in 2011 and beyond. In summary these include:

Holidays Act

Employment Relations Act

While enhancements in safety systems (safety planning, training and auditing) can affect safety on site; behavioral science tells us that a good safety system will only trigger safe performance but it won’t drive it or guarantee success.  It is the organisation’s safety culture that dictates what people do - how they act.

Site Safe NZ has been asked by Safety Charter Accreditation companies (Charter main contractors) to provide networking sessions between Charter main contractors and their key subcontractors.

The aim of the sessions is to improve the understanding between subcontractors and main contractors on the Charter Accreditation safety systems and auditing. The meetings also offer an opportunity to gain free advice on preparing site specific safety plans that meet main contractor expectations.

The latest network session was held in Dunedin on 8 March 2011. Over twenty Otago businesses were represented involving subcontractors and three of the main contractors.  

Members who have an interest in attending one of theses events in your area please let us know. Contact Geoff Wilson at Site Safe, Wellington.   gwilson@sitesafe.org.nz  DDI (04) 494 8336

On 1 June 2011, all Site Safe membership companies will move up a year as part of the Site Safe Loyalty Discount Programme. 

Membership subscription price increases will increase 1 June 2011 as a result of alignment to the Consumer Price Index for the 2011 year. Please find below our new membership subscription price list. This small price increase means that we can continue to maintain the high standard of our products and services for the coming year while remaining cost competitive.

Should you have any questions regarding our services, please email us or contact our Client Services Team on 04 499 2509.

To illustrate support for health and safety in civil industry, Site Safe was a bronze sponsor of the 2010-11 Contractor Federation National Excavator Competition. Site Safe ran the safety quiz part of the competition, as well as assisting with the safety concerns on the site of the competition and generally being available to discuss safety issues with the public.

A Tauranga-based construction company was fined $40,000 following an accident at a construction site in Penrose in June last year when an employee was injured when he was flung into the air.

The company which had been contracted to build a masonry block retaining wall, was also ordered to pay reparations of $15,000 at the Auckland District Court yesterday.

The Taranaki Construction Safety Group has recently been spotted on the national and international stage for winning awards for innovation.

The group's significant success has been from the Trade Apprentice Safety Challenge which won the New Zealand 3M Innovation in Health and Safety 2010 awards and was also presented at the 10th World Conference on Injury Prevention in London in 2010.

Concerns all ABSORBICA energy absorbers manufactured before May 17th 2011 up to serial number 11137****.
The relevant product references are: L57, L58, L58 MGO, L59, L59 MGO, L59 69, L70120 YG, L70150 IM, L70150 YM, L70150 I, L70150 Y, L70150 YM.

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson has today launched a new plan aimed at bringing down the high injury and fatality rates in the construction industry over the next three years.

An Auckland-based company has been fined $55,000 after one of its contractors was seriously injured when he fell five metres from a ladder.

Constructing a 16000m2 roof, 15m off the ground using a roofing system new to New Zealand in winds up to 160 km/h would have most risk managers sweating hard. However, a meticulous safety plan ensured Mainzeal had Wellington's new Indoor Community Sports Centre covered without a hitch.

A fall can ruin your family holiday, prevent you from going to work or stop you from enjoying the Rugby World Cup.

To help prevent unnecessary falls in the home, ACC is running Safety Week 2011. You can register your company's interest on-line to receive hints and ideas about what you can do during safety week, and also order some of the new resources to help promote the safety week message.

Come and join the world’s leading injury prevention and safety researchers, practitioners and advocates in Wellington in October 2012.

On 16 ^th June 2011, Site Safe hosted an ACC sponsored 2 hour seminar on Drugs and Alcohol in the workplace. Colin Bramfitt a Drugs and Alcohol consultant, delivered a presentation to increase understanding of the problem as it affects the workplace and how to deal with it.

Electric welding and related activities have been a part of our working environment since the late 1800’s and the dangers are well recognised globally.  But ask yourself this, the last time you saw someone welding on site, what protective measures had they taken?

Successful health and safety practices will prevent or reduce incidents, accidents and injury on construction and building sites, and this will lead to improved productivity. With this in mind, the Construction Clients’ Group (CCG) is launching a new Best Practice Guide on health and safety to provide construction clients’ with the tools they need to strengthen and grow a safety culture and practices across the construction supply chain.

Earlier in 2011, the Auckland Site Safe office was visited by students from Auckland University investigating workplace injuries. For their efforts they were awarded best presentation and most feasible strategy.

To give more health and safety value to existing members, Site Safe’s new ‘Contractor & Subbie’s Site Safety Kit’ for small businesses (1-20 staff) are now available from the low price of $50 + GST

A recent development between Site Safe and the health and safety managers from the Construction Safety Charter Accredited companies is a focus on tackling common injury causes across construction.

The Site Safe Board of Directors recently undertook a strategic planning workshop to review progress over the past years and to map a way forward to ensure Site Safe is in the best position to assist members with their health and safety needs, currently and in the future.

This year, 119 graduates gained their qualification from 53 businesses (25% of these small sized.) With the evening's theme, 'Be safe! Don't gamble with your life!', the event continued to be top-notch and a great way to celebrate and show support for excellence in workplace health and safety. Held 10 November 2011 at the Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland.

Website is a one-stop shop for personalised information source.

LBP’s have been struggling to find good quality and relevant information sources for their skills maintenance points required to maintain their license.

A Wellington demolition company has today been fined $20,000 after a contractor was exposed to asbestos fibres and live electricity while working on an inner city site.

With an estimated 700 to 1,000 New Zealand workers dying each year, a new action plan has been launched to improve occupational health in this country.

I am feeling positive for the construction industry as I look towards 2012. Approximately $23 billion worth of work coming up for Canterbury, Leaky Homes and upgrades to housing stock built between 1940 and 1970. The economic forces of the New Zealand market could be strong enough to lift the construction industry into the next building surge. Site Safe membership has reached a mile stone – we have since the last Safety Insite, welcomed our 3000 ^th member company – with many new members coming from the Canterbury region.

The Building Hub had its official launch on 23 November. Independent from the Department of Building and Housing, the Building Hub has been created to support builders already in or transitioning to the Licensed Builders Practitioners programme.

How do you stay in business in the event of an emergency? How do you access data about your staff, customers and suppliers in order to keep operating and maintain business continuity?

The Department of Labour has launched a three-year harm reduction campaign to raise awareness about working safely at height and reduce the human and financial toll caused by falls from height.

On Tuesday 13 December, Phil Brosnan from Brosnan Construction Ltd was presented with his Charter Tier 2 trophy by Site Safe CEO Garry Menhennet.

On Friday 11th November at the public golf course in Fielding a fun event for the key contractors who work with Mainzeal Construction was held, which was organised primarily by senior managers Craig Irwin and Callum Harvey.

The Site Safe Wellington Office has been relocated to new premises. Our new office location and delivery address is: 23-25 Jarden Mile, Ngauranga 6035, Wellington.

The prohibition notice stopping demolition work at the Hotel Grand Chancellor following an accident at the site last month has now been lifted.

The Department of Labour is seeking feedback on a draft policy statement which outlines how it enforces the safe management of hazardous substances in the workplace.

To prevent further inconvenience to customers, steps have been taken to ensure back-up phone systems are currently in action. Any further updates to phone system changes will be communicated through our website.

Important Notice: Site Safe Christchurch Relocation

Our new office location and delivery address is: 90 Carmen Road, Hornby, Christchurch 8042.

Our postal address has also changed and is now: PO Box 160071, Hornby.

We thank you for your patience and any inconvenience caused as we relocate.

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson today launched new guidance to reduce the workplace death and injury toll from falls in the construction sector.

The Canterbury Rebuild Forum has the goal of ensuring the continuing safety of all involved in the construction rebuiild process.

A contractor approval and appraisal management database aimed at lifting health and safety performance and allowing the procurement process to go smoothly went live Thursday 26 April for Canterbury.

Owners of Wellington’s Settlement Building were fined $24,000 today after the employees of the demolition contractor they engaged were exposed to asbestos fibres and live electricity while working on the inner city site in January last year.

As of 26 April 2012, ACC will accept the following Site Safe courses as an equivalent training standard (level) for acceptance into the Workplace Safety Discount (WSD) programme.

The recent launch of the Tier Three challenge has been eagerly met by Arrow International (NZ) Inc, a major construction company in New Zealand.

Site Safe is very proud to sponsor such a category, and to have the winner who is a long time member from Bay of Plenty makes this particular initiative and award even more special.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced the membership of an independent taskforce that will undertake the first wide-ranging strategic review of the workplace health and safety system in 20 years.

Arrow International (NZ) Inc has been instrumental to health and safety improvements as project managers in the Canterbury earthquake rebuild. They see their role as fulfilling an educational need to both subcontractors and earthquake-struck homeowners in managing hazards.

Failing to report a series of workplace accidents has cost Auckland-based company Mondiale Freight Services Limited fines totalling $62,475.

Rotorua company A-Z Rigging and Scaffolding Limited was today fined $30,000 and ordered to pay reparations of $15,500 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell from a scaffolding plank that snapped.

Affco New Zealand Limited (Affco) has been fined $56,250 after one of its employees fell nearly seven metres in Affco’s Horotiu premises. Affco was also ordered to pay reparation of $8,000 as a result of the accident on 26 March 2011.

Check brand of Rings & Multirings on lifting chain sets purchased from June 2010.There is a high risk of injury to personal or equipment from falling product or components. 

"There's gotta be a better way" is a catch cry we frequently hear from Pikiahu ('Piki') Emery, one of our most experienced supervisors. He is a man who walks the talk. 

As a key team member, health and safety committee member, and trained health and safety representative, Piki is continually instigating, trialling and refining safer equipment solutions to improve our work practices. One such solution is the 'Doorector'.

Teams of apprentices will be pitched against each other in competition at the Trades Apprentice Safety Challenge on Friday November 26.

The challenge, at Petone's Weltec campus, sees young apprentices from mixed trades and from top companies battle it out for pole position in safety-related challenges such as constructing scaffolding, working at heights, manual handling,  dealing with dangerous chemicals, first aid, incident investigation, hazard identification, Noise and Health.

Site Safe's sixth annual graduation event, in association with Unitec recognised the achievement of industry individuals who in 2011 have completed the Certificate in Construction Site Safety. The event is a great night out for the construction industry to celebrate its successes in health and safety along with providing fine New Zealand entertainment and cuisine.

Site Safe delivered a Scholarship programme which targeted Maori and Pacifica trainees to complete the Certificate in Construction Site Safety.

Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson today announced funding of $300,000 for a range of health and safety initiatives to assist with the safe rebuild of Canterbury.

Site Safe officially awarded Tier 3 status to Hawkins Construction and Hawkins Infrastructure on November 10 ^th 2011 as part of the Construction Safety Charter Accreditation programme.

Arrow International (NZ) Inc, a major construction company in New Zealand accepted their Charter Accreditaion Tier 3 award on Monday 23 April 2012. "Tier 3 shows a commitment from management through to the guys on site. It proves there is a real commitment from the whole company" said Arrow International Health and Safety Manager Clynton Lereculey.

View the 2012 Construction Health and Safety Award Winners and Finalists.

It is my pleasure to present to Site Safe members the new and revamped website which went live in August. Most changes have addressed matters raised through our ongoing monitoring, surveys and focus groups.

Despite the advances in mechanization, physical effort is still a huge part in any job. In fact every situation involves the manual handling of items to some degree or another. Sprains and strains account for approximately 25% of injuries in the residential sector and 23% of injuries in the commercial sector.

A fantastic evening was had by all at Site Safes 2012 Evening of Celebration. Attended by over 250 people, the evening acknowledged individuals graduating from the Site Safe Certificate in Construction Site Safety, as well as awarding the winners of Site Safes inaugural Construction Health and Safety Awards.

An important message to all contractors, subcontractors and trades working in the Canterbury Rebuild.

The Ministry has released their annual State of Workplace Health and Safety 2012 report. The report brings together a number of indicators to provide the overall picture of health and safety performance in New Zealand. Overall, trends are static, and work-related disease continues to have a high estimated annual toll.

The Health Promotion Agency (HPA) has launched a national awareness campaign to encourage people to get their heart checked.

As part of a larger study in the collision repair industry, the Centre for Public Health Research at Massey University Wellington are undertaking a survey of workplace exposures and brain, lung and skin symptoms in the New Zealand construction industry.

The Ministry on Business, Innovation & Employment is concentrating on the construction sector, particularly residential building sites, to prevent falls from height through the Preventing Falls from Height campaign.

The National Asbestos Medical Panel has analysed data from 1246 cases of asbestos-related lung disease, including 48 from 2010-2011.

SCIRT introduced minimum PPE requirements for all workers in late 2011. The minimum PPE requirements include: safety eyewear, gloves, hard hat, long pants, hi-vis and long-sleeve top and safety boots.

Garry Menhennet, Site Safes Chief Executive will be leaving Site Safe early in the New Year, having taken over the helm in July 2009.

Poorly cleaned and poorly maintained spaces and facilities are posing health risks to New Zealand construction workers.

Quitting smoking is possible and many Kiwis successfully quit by themselves each year.

Dust is a common by product on construction sites. It is well recognised that dust inhalation can cause lung disease and other complications of the respiratory system...

On the 26 April 2012 AppCon Database was officially launched: a pre-qualification process for all contractors working on the Christchurch rebuild.

Eye protection for those with visual impairment can sometimes fall under the radar when it comes to safety...

On the 6th of December 2012, Site Safe held their inaugural Life Time Membership Awards at Cornwall Park in Auckland.

Site Safes new Chief Executive Alison Molloy has had her feet under the desk for just under a fortnight. Rather than lead in with her update for Site Safe members, we thought we would allow Alison to share her thoughts on her transition into the Site Safe Chief Executive role, and the health & safety in construction industry.

There is a culture that tells workers to harden up and many say unsafe acts are expected - this culture is driving bullying behaviour. Most employers would not openly support bullying and will likely have policies against such behaviour. Are employers not recognising bullying or are they choosing to ignore it?

Winter is fast approaching and working outside in harsh conditions can take its toll. How can you prepare your staff against the adverse effects of winter?

The New Zealands legal standards and best practice can often be daunting to understand and interpret: what is a practicable step? Site Safe Safety Advisors are here to help

Those involved in planned events within the road reserve* have a statutory duty to identify and take all practical steps to manage any hazards resulting from their activities.

As of 1 April 2013, the Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers points increased on some Site Safe courses

Site Safe NZ Inc the construction industrys advocate for health and safety firmly supports the Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety Report Recommendations that were released yesterday.

The new starting-out wage will be an option for employers and employees from 1 May this year. The starting-out wage will give employers a real incentive to give young people a foothold on the employment ladder.

ACC has expanded its Workplace Safety Discount programme (WSD), which offers levy discounts to businesses with demonstrated workplace health and safety experience and practices.

In February MBIE released that the worker who fell five-and-a-half metres, which resulted in a broken pelvis and facial injuries, has led to the Wellington company Ebert Construction Limited being fined $33,750 and being ordered to pay $29,000 in reparations to the worker.

Juro Corporation, trading as Great Southern Milton, was fined $52,550 for breach of s18(1)(a) of the HSE Act - that every principal shall take all practicable steps to ensure the safety or everyone on site. Juro Corporation were ordered to pay reparation of $40,000 after a contractors employees leg had to be amputated below the knee when his boot laces became caught between rollers on a post-peeler machine, drawing his leg into the blades (Dunedin DC, 12 March 2013).

New Health & Safety Crown Agency to be established

New frontline Health and Safety Services announced

Government responds to Earthquakes Royal Commission 15 April 2013

Safer outcomes for gas and electrical work

Site Safe is excited to announce that the new course will begin running from 4th June 2013.