SAFETY INSITE WINTER 2011 - Site Safe

CEO Update
While compiling this edition of the Safety Insite, significant earthquakes
have continued to shake Christchurch. With the major increase of work
now in Christchurch, a high-vis is now more common than a Crusader
rugby jersey. We have taken direction as to how to best service the
region and you will find more detail around this throughout this Safety
Insite Winter edition.
Site Safe has been part of discussions with Health and Safety
Managers from the major Charter companies to facilitate and support
healthy and safe workplaces during earthquake remedial work. The
work going on in Canterbury has spear-headed continued improvement
for our services through New Zealand. Specifically, the topic of discussion with the Charter
companies has been around extending renewal dates of higher level cards and backing that
up with E-learning as well as additional on-site audits. We have also launched the ‘Contractor
Site Safety Kit’ which assists smaller sized businesses with everything they need to make
sure their site meets health and safety requirements.
Our National team of Safety, Health and Environmental Advisors has four new staff since
February and continues to grow in number and capability to support members and to deliver
on their changing needs. The team has been working on a rotational basis to assist our
Christchurch staff. Our Advisor Chris Graney will shortly be relocating to Kati Kati and
servicing the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. We are also looking to locate an Advisor in
the Northland region.
I would also like to formally welcome four new trade associations to Site Safe membership:
Brick & Blocklayers Federation, Fencing Contractors Association, New Zealand Sign &
Display Association, and Insulation Association of New Zealand. These partnerships mean
that we will be able to hear more from New Zealand companies and their unique needs and
see where we can improve to assist better health and safety in construction.
On one final note, in March, Land Search and Rescue wrote to me to thank Site Safe for
allowing our Canterbury Advisor Kevin Wood to volunteer his time during the earthquake red
alert period. This organization visited and reported on 56,000 households of people in need
around Christchurch. I would just like to state my admiration and pride for Kevin, our Southern
Regional Manager Richard, and all of our Christchurch office staff who are still smiling at
work, in their communities and on the home front.
As an industry organisation dedicated to promoting and advancing a culture of safety in the
construction industry Site Safe is constantly investigating world wide for best practices to
introduce into New Zealand to better serve our members. As always, I encourage our readers
to contact Site Safe with questions or ideas. Thank you for your continued support, and we
look forward to seeing you at the Site Safe Annual General Meeting on 7 September in
Wellington.
Garry Menhennet, Site Safe Chief Executive
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