what we learned from christchurch taking the risk out ... - PlaceMakers

FEATURESMBIE – HEALTH & SAFETYMaking safety a priorityWhile a substantial number of New Zealand construction companies have made it a priorityto work safely at height, inspectors have also uncovered – and penalised – those that aren’tWhile several construction companies are taking positive action to ensure the safety of their workers, more than 60% of the workplaces assessed in 2012 were performing work at height unsafelyConstruction companies aretaking positive action to ensurethe safety of their workers;however, the Ministry of Business,Innovation and Employment (MBIE)will continue to target sites whichoperate unsafely.During 2012, health and safety inspectors conductedmore than 1,600 workplace assessments and issuedover 1,000 notices and written warnings to constructioncompanies performing work at height unsafely“It has been very positive to seeconstruction companies usinginnovative solutions to ensure theirstaff are safe while working at height,”says MBIE southern division generalmanager Francois Barton.“Inspectors have seen companiesusing adaptive scaffolding systems,mobile stair systems instead ofladders and soft landing systems tostop workers getting hurt from fallingoff the top plate.”He says many of these solutionsare also increasing productivity byimproving access for builders andtradespeople – these safer systemsallow more people to use them at onceand make it much easier to bring moretools up with them.Companies now using scaffolding andedge protection as standard practiceare helping to level the playing fieldin construction and ensuring that theirworkers come home safely at the endof the day.10www.mbie.govt.nz