SAFETY INSITE WINTER 2011 - Site Safe

Construction workers – health and safety concerns
Key issues facing Cantabrians are now chronic fatigue, stress and anxiety resulting from the
three major earthquakes and over 7000 aftershocks. Throughout the shaky period since last
September, the main hazards for construction workers to watch for have been:
• Keeping public safe
• People working at height with no plan to stop themselves from falling
• The amount of dust and other poisons (such as asbestos) in the atmosphere from
the amount of demolition - this can be partly controlled by dampening down the
affected area with a hose
• Confined space work in demolition sites
• Do workers have an emergency plan?
The legal side
From 19 May 2011 within the three local authority areas in greater Christchurch: Christchurch
City, Waimakariri, and Selwyn District Councils the following laws have been passed by the
Department of Building and Housing. The seismic hazard factor for the design of all buildings
has increased by 35 per cent from 0.22 to 0.3. Additionally, concrete floor foundations for
housing will need to be tied and reinforced. These changes are likely to increase new
residential building work costs from $2,000 to $9,000 per property, depending on the house
size, foundation and the state of the ground.
For more information about what the government has organised for the Canterbury
earthquake recovery:
www.beehive.govt.nz/feature/special-feature-canterbury-earthquakes-recovery
To read the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011
www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2011/0012/latest/DLM3653522.html
As you drive around Christchurch the enormous amount of work is visible, however, with the
necessary public consultancy and engineering planning to be done – the timing of workflow is
uncertain. Once work gets more underway, the sheer enormity of the work must not
undermine safe working practises. While Cantabrians need to have their buildings restored
and rebuilt, it is vital that the rebuilding is designed and built properly and takes into account
what has been learnt from the past earthquakes – healthier, safer and more sustainable
construction. No more injuries and deaths need to come out of the rebuild of Canterbury.
Trade Specific
Builders
NZS 3604:2011
The revised timber-framed buildings Standard - NZS 3604:2011 is available now. NZS 3604
provides guidance to builders, architects, engineers, designers, and students for the design
and construction of timber-framed structures not requiring specific engineering design. The
Standard is a core resource for building consent authorities determining compliance with the
New Zealand Building Code.
For information about what's new with timber treatment go to the Department of Building and
Housing website.
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