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At the same time, though, inspectorsare also uncovering a large numberof construction companies that continueto work unsafely at height.During 2012, health and safetyinspectors conducted more than1,600 workplace assessments andissued over 1,000 notices andwritten warnings to constructioncompanies performing work atheight unsafely. Half of the sitesvisited required unsafe work atheight practices to be stoppedand remedied.“We want to see enforcementfigures improving in 2013 as safework at height becomes standardpractice in the industry. To reducethe death and injury toll, we willcontinue to target sites that carryout work at height unsafely andthose companies that put theirworkers at risk,” Mr Barton says.The Ministry will continue itsPreventing Falls from Height projectin 2013 and urges constructioncompanies and workers to make safetya priority. The second enforcementphase began in February and healthand safety inspectors are visitingworksites to target enforcementwhere there is significant visiblenon-compliance.More injuries happen on residentialbuilding sites than any other workplacein the construction sector. Builders,WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT THEN?The Ministry will continue its Preventing Falls fromHeight project in 2013 and urges construction companiesand workers to make safety a priorityroofers, electrical workers, paintersand decorators are the most likely tofall from height and get seriously hurtwhile they are working.Slips, trip and falls from height arethe most common cause of seriousharm injuries reported to the Ministry.More than half of falls from heightin construction are from lower thanthree metres, mainly off roofs andfrom ladders.If there’s a chance of a fall – fromany height – precautions have tobe taken. Inspectors will challengeany workplace that supports a viewthat no height hazard exists belowthree metres. Work at height mustTEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!Quick statsbe actively managed, so that peopleare not harmed or killed as a result.“Hundreds of construction workersare injured on building sites every yearand the impacts of some of these arelife changing. These accidents canbe prevented. Safety must be a priorityfor everyone on the job.”“Health and safety is the responsibilityof everyone on the site. We all havea role to play in improving workplacesafety – doing nothing is not an option,”Mr Barton says.More information on the PreventingFalls from Height project is availableat www.dol.govt.nz/prevent-falls/index.asp.Latest figures from the Ministry show that in 2012:• Eight people died working in construction.• 706 construction workers were seriously injured.• 63 people were seriously injured from a fall from height.• Six prosecutions involving a fall from height were completed and eight are pending.• 1,656 workplace assessments were undertaken by inspectors.• 1,057 notices or warnings were issued for unsafe work at height.• 796 construction sites had work stopped for unsafe work at height.7) a b c8) a b c9) a b cConstruction companies musttake all practicable steps to ensuresafety for:a) Their employees.b) Their employees and the public.c) People who pay them protectionmoney.What should all construction workerswear on site?a) Bright and highly visible PPE.b) Clothes they feel comfortable in.c) Whatever’s most likely to attractfemale admirers.What function must signs fulfil forpedestrians and motorists?a) Make them take notice of the greatjob you’re doing.b) Make them aware of hazardsthat exist.c) Give them something to moan about.NB: The questions and answers in this section have been produced by the publisher and do not necessarily reflect views or opinions of the contributing organisation.11