THE CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY & TRADE SUPPLEMENT
• SAFETY CHARTER LAUNCHES I AM SAFE CAMPAIGN • SCIRT’S PROGRESS THREE YEARS INTO ITS FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME • ENSURING YOUR ONSITE SAFETY WITH MAXIMUM SAFETY PRODUCTS • STAYING SUN SAFE THIS SUMMER
SAFETY CHARTER
Safety Charter launches I AM SAFE campaign By Graham Darlow
By its very nature, the construction industry is exposed to any number of critical risks. Keeping our business alive (aka making a buck), is a risk we have all managed at some point in our careers; keeping our staff alive is probably the risk we focus most of our attention on now. Critical risks are what you’d describe as the things on a site that could cause serious harm; working at height, in confined spaces, with asbestos or electricity, undertaking hot works or excavations and using mobile plant and machinery. Our focus on managing critical risks supports the risk-based approach in the Health and Safety Reform Bill, which will become law in 2015. The Safety Charter members that I am the chairman of have all made a commitment
At Canterbury Today, we would like to express our thanks for the support that the advertisers have shown in this supplement and their commitment to a safe rebuild of Canterbury.
to identify, manage and mitigate critical risks. Our role as leaders is to ensure we have policies and procedures in place to manage critical risks. We rely on our H&S managers, foremen and site managers to ensure these risks are managed on a daily basis.
Our focus now is on ensuring our frontline staff are also aware of what critical risks are and how they can keep themselves safe when engaging in, or working around, critical risks. The Communications Working Group of the Safety Charter has created a poster campaign with information on each of the critical risks and tips to help people manage them. The posters will appear in Hirepool portaloos and their messaging will also be supported by a suite of toolbox talks which will reinforce the critical risk messages. The campaign kicked off in October, so keep an eye out when you’re having a ‘rest’ break for the I AM Safe posters.
the Critical Risks campaign. Without their support and the co-operation of their cleaning staff - whom I’m sure you’ll all agree already have enough to do – we simply would not have been able to undertake a campaign of this scale.
I would like to acknowledge the support of Hirepool in helping us launch and run
I am safe on site; my staff are safe on site. Are you?
PUBLISHER: Gary Collins BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Clive Greenwood PRO CO-ORDINTATOR: Carolynne Brown
EDITORIAL: Jonathan Taylor DESIGN: Jarred Shakespeare PRINTING: Guardian Print
Graham Darlow is the Canterbury Safety Charter Steering Group Chair. Signup as a member of the Safety Charter today. More information, www.safetycharter.org.nz
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 47B Birmingham Drive, Middleton, PO Box 1879, Christchurch, New Zealand POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 1879, Christchurch Mail Centre, Christchurch 8140 PHONE: +64 3 961 5050 | FAX: 0800 555 054 (New Zealand only) +64 3 961 5112 (International)
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HEALTH & SAFETY
Ensuring your onsite safety To ensure the safety of workers on any site, short cuts are simply not an option. It is here where Maximum Safety Products NZ steps up to the mark. The company is the licensed supplier and distributor of proven height safety systems and other innovative safety equipment, that provide international solution from Guardian Fall Protection USA ,for the needs and wants for anyone that is working at height. It provides new to market comprehensive portfolio product ranging, full safety training strictly comply with OSHA/ANSI and AS/NZS Standards. The products are selected, tested and proven to deliver safe, fast, efficient solutions that minimise the risk of falls when working above ground. It also adds in use value to the user when needed most whilst working at heights. “Be safe when working at height and above ground by selecting and using the correct equipment - it definitely will provide a long term benefit to your future good health and safety,” director Mason Fisher says. One area the company specialise in is portable scaffolding systems and safety products specifically designed to minimise your risks associated with at-height work.
These systems have been specifically engineered to deliver a safe, fast, efficient, and cost effective solution to maximum safety and comfort when being used.
The Maximum safety team of Paul Suisted and Peter and Mason Fisher are passionate about providing the latest tools to get you and your employees home safely everyday.
“These international proven and guaranteed products give you a safe, fast, efficient and cost effective solution to working safely above the ground.”
FUTURE PROOF HEIGHT SAFETY
ANCHOR SYSTEM
What’s more - all products are OSHA/ ANSI and AS/NZS compliant. We have recently returned from USA to bring new and innovative products and systems bringing the latest standards to the nz market.
Case study in not playing it safe Roofing company W Goile Roofing Limited has been fined $45,000 and ordered to pay reparation of $3,000 after one of its employees fell from a height of 2.5 metres. Cory Tui was screwing down roofing iron at a kindergarten in Marton when he stepped backwards and fell. He suffered a severed tendon and cuts to his wrist after coming into contact with a sheet of iron that had been cut and bent upwards to allow roof flashings to be attached. He was hospitalised for two days and was off work for two and a half months. At the time of the fall Mr Tui and the company director, Warwick Golie were both wearing safety harnesses, but neither had been attached to an anchor point. In addition, edge protection had been delivered to the site but had not been installed.
Safety audits Although we all take safety very seriously, it is easy to miss something – and this is where specialist’s and professional management can make all the difference.
W Golie Roofing was sentenced in the Wanganui District Court under the Health and Safety in Employment Act for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of an employee.
So Maximum Safety can visit your site and perform a full safety audit, evaluating the risks and systems in place to mitigate them.
HitchClip™
What this gives you is peace of mind knowing you have done everything, within reason, to reduce and/or eliminate the hazard or risk associated with a job, and in turn make it more cost efficient, while meeting best practice guidelines.
MEETING ALL OSH &
ASNZS STANDARDS
WorkSafe New Zealand’s chief inspector, Keith Stewart says there is simply no excuse for not using proper safety equipment – particularly when it is readily to hand. “It beggars belief that Mr Tui and Mr Golie were both wearing a safety harness but they weren’t secured. When Mr Golie was asked why they were not attached he replied ‘I just got lazy’. That’s not good enough.”
Audits and Consulting Service
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UNDERGROUND
Piping progress - three years into a five year programme SCIRT – the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team - is close to three quarters through its central city work and more than half way through its whole programme. The peak of SCIRT’s central city work has passed, with fewer delays and detours within the Four Avenues. By the end of this year, SCIRT is aiming to be around 90 percent of the way through its Central City pipes, bridges and roading repair programme. Bridge work and final roading repairs will continue into 2015 in the central city. Earlier this year, work ramped up in the central city - the area inside Bealey, Fitzgerald, Moorhouse and Deans Aves, with up to 45 SCIRT work crews in the city at its peak. The aim was to stay ahead of the vertical (buildings) rebuild, now well underway in several key precinct and private developer-owned areas. In the Central City/ Four Aves alone, SCIRT has to repair: • 43km of wastewater pipe • 8km of fresh water pipe • 9 wastewater pump stations • 15 bridges (eight major repairs).
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SCIRT - who? The Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team is a partnership between Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and five construction companies - City Care, Downer, Fletcher, Fulton Hogan and McConnell Dowell. SCIRT’s work will continue across Christchurch to 2016, working east to west, most damaged to least damaged, most important to human health (e.g. reliable wastewater) first, which is also the deepest and most disruptive work for residents and road users. Final roading repairs and patching comes last, after storm-water and fresh water pipes are repaired. Too fast? Too slow? SCIRT’s work affects people in different ways – as residents, as road users, as business owners. Some people think there is too much happening in one area, others can’t understand why there is not more. So, is there a co-ordinated plan, or does everyone just do their own thing? SCIRT, the Council, CERA, utility providers, Enable and Orion, private developers and land owners are all co-ordinating to get our city up and running again as efficiently as possible. There is a plan, and a shared, common Forward Works Planning tool, but it’s still a massive job. From time to time, there will be rework when organisations
T H E R E B U I L D S A F E T Y & T R A D E S U P P L E M E N T– N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4
like Enable and SCIRT cannot get their crews aligned, but overall, the aim is to avoid rework and inefficiencies. Did you consider road users when ramping up the work? The challenge is keeping the rebuild on track while keeping traffic moving. Detours and delays are inevitable. The first day of a traffic change is often the hardest for road users, even if it is publicised in advance with electronic signs or media advertising. Driver behaviour is tracked by the Christchurch Transport Operations Centre and if necessary adjustments are made to ease traffic, while not delaying necessary works. Gone, but we may be back When SCIRT finishes a work site and leaves a street, it doesn’t always mean crews are gone for good. Where there is damage to more than one service underneath the street (wastewater, storm-water or fresh water pipes), crews may need to return for other repairs and even to test the pipe afterwards. Which pipes are fixed first? SCIRT prioritised damaged wastewater pipes, so households and businesses had working toilets. Storm water and fresh water pipes are repaired, as ageneral rule, after wastewater. The road surface is the last part to be repaired. A temporary seal may be applied
if we need to return to complete more work under the road. Temporary road repairs also help to keep the city moving until a permanent road repair is completed. The SCIRT model is delivering excellent value SCIRT is on target to complete its five year programme of work at the end of 2016 and is tracking closely to its budget. The competitive alliance structure is the way costs are being kept on track. Ongoing auditing shows that the SCIRT model is delivering good value for the funders of the programme – New Zealand taxpayers, Christchurch people and ratepayers. Ask us face to face SCIRT engineers and communications people will again be at the Canterbury A&P Show, 12-14 November, in the Future Christchurch pavilion. Answers to common questions are on the SCIRT web pages (www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz ), but feel free to email us any of your questions to info@scirt.co.nz or drop by the big tent at the A&P Show for some face to face answers on November 12-14.
www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz The latest road works at www.tfc.govt.nz/map/
– Ensuring significant projects are delivered with ease
The Internet is a 21st century game changer; a network of information and ideas circumventing intellectual, political, social and geographical borders. And, although it has yet to bridge the local rural/urban divide, adequately linking our urban dwellers with their country counterparts, change is on the cards with the nationwide fibre optic rollout. Enable – a joint venture between Christchurch City Council-owned Enable Networks and government-owned Crown Fibre Holdings – is rolling out a fibre optic information highway to 180,000 homes, schools and businesses in greater Christchurch; the local stretch of the nationwide initiative. The New Zealand distributor of highly specialised, globally renowned Ditch Witch branded underground equipment, Ditch Witch New Zealand (DWNZ), is playing an important role in the local fibre project, supplying the equipment necessary for laying the cables, including direct single drills, vacuum excavators, utility locators and ground penetrating radars. “This is a highly specialised field,” DWNZ general manager, John Grant explains. “Underground equipment is all we do – we don’t focus on other products or brands and that steadfast focus enables us to stand out from the competition.” The Ditch Witch product range is a varied and broad range with three main machine groups – trenchless, trenching and electronics. Ditch Witch is world renowned for its trenchers and directional drills; complementing these staple products is a broad range of plows, vacuum excavation units, skid steers, tool carriers and electronic locating or guidance equipment. Given this broad product range Ditch Witch can supply a machine no matter what the task in hand is. “Directional drills are our core product,” John says. “These are used for horizontally drilling for utility cables, water mains or sewer mains. This trenchless technology means the bulk of the work can be done underground, minimising above ground disruption.” There are a wide range of electronics available, including utility locators which scan for any underground utilities to prevent damage during excavation, ground penetrating radars which use radar pulses to image the subsurface and detect reflected signals from subsurface structures, and vacuum excavators that are considered best practice for safely finding and seeing underground utilities, reducing by more than half the chance of damaging buried utilities. “Historically many of these scenarios would have involved hand digging or going in with an excavator and running the risk of damaging underground services and utilities,” John says.
24K Allright Place , Mt Wellington, Auckland | (09) 570 1002
0800 396 9583 | www.ditchwitchnz.com
“There is a significant amount of services in the ground which are not identified on plans which is an ongoing hazard for guys on the ground. Our equipment is playing a key role in minimising the risk of strikes, creating a safer environment for underground construction.” Founded in 2011, DWNZ is co-ordinated from a 600 sqm Auckland workshop and warehouse which provides spare parts support, service support and sales functions, with a nationwide network of local service centres to ensure after sales support is second to none, with factory trained technicians ready to respond throughout the country. A high level of stock is carried locally, but as the New Zealand distributor of Ditch Witch machinery and products, DWNZ can order and source goods direct from the company’s US factory, The Charles Machine Works. Through connections with Ditch Witch Australia, the New Zealand branch enjoys the added benefit of being able to source machinery and spare parts inventory quickly from Australia if required. In 2010 Charles Machine Works purchased Hammer Head Inc, an acquisition which has broadened the product range even further allowing Ditch Witch dealers to market the highly reputable Hammer Head Product range of pipe bursting equipment, pipe jacking equipment, piercing tools and the ever expanding range of HDD downhole tools. Completing DWNZ’s specialist underground focus is the company’s representation as an authorised distributor for Bariod Drillings Fluids, known worldwide as a market leader in drilling fluids and a brand they’re proud to be associated with. DWNZ stocks commonly used drilling fluids while also offering technical support and know how to help you get the job done. DWNZ was established from the outset with experienced staff who are familiar with Ditch Witch machinery and the New Zealand customer base, which has ensured a seamless transition to the new operation. Ditch Witch New Zealand was founded as a one stop underground shop and is proud to be the only specialised underground construction equipment supplier in New Zealand, operating on the founding belief that customer support is paramount in ensuring both the company’s and its customers’ success. “We play a training and support role, as well as providing maintenance and after sales support on all our products,” John says. “We’re a highly specialised company supporting the underground equipment industry, so moving forward we will be continuing this level of support by expanding the range of machinery available in New Zealand, while introducing and supporting new technology as it becomes available.”
SUN PROTECTION
Staying sun safe this summer Working outdoors during the summer means there’s always a risk of over exposure to UV radiation. New Zealand, along with Australia, has among the highest melanoma rates in the world. In 2010, the year for which most recent figures are available, melanoma was the fourth most common cancer, with 2,341 registered cases (1,241 males and 1,100 females). It was also the sixth most common cause of death from cancer that year. There are an approximate 67,000 new NMSC cases each year and at least one in every two will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. Construction workers have a higher risk of skin cancer than many other workers due to long periods exposed to UV radiation from direct sunlight and UV rays reflected from nearby surfaces such as concrete. Studies have shown that construction workers can be exposed to 10 times the recommended daily exposure levels for UV radiation. UV radiation is most intense during the middle of the day from September to April (11 am to 3 pm during daylight saving and 10 am to 2 pm at other times). On a clear summer’s day it can take only 10 to 15 minutes for skin damage to occur.
Outdoor workers are exposed to UV radiation both directly from the sun and indirectly as it is reflected or scattered from surrounding surfaces, which in the construction industry include concrete, glass, metal surfaces (such as steel decks and roofing materials), sand and large bodies of water.
- Providing natural or artificial shade
Workers are therefore potentially exposed to a great deal of UV radiation from the sun, even when working in the shade or under overhead protection. Workers should continue to wear sun protection (protective clothing and sunscreen) in the shade for maximum protection.
Where reasonably practicable, and the production schedule permits, organise rosters to avoid workers being outside in the middle of the day for long periods. Try to minimise the amount of outdoor work, move jobs undercover, do outdoor tasks in the early morning or late in the day and share outdoor and indoor work to minimise individual exposure.
Planning helps prevention Employers should conduct a risk assessment on outdoor work scheduled for the period from September to April, when UV radiation levels peak, to assist in developing appropriate sun protection measures. Employers need to ensure protection measures are implemented. The most effective way of reducing UV exposure is to use a combination of protection methods. In order of effectiveness, following the hierarchy of controls, they are: - Re-organising work to avoid the UV peak of the day
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- Providing appropriate protective clothing i.e. clothing covering as much exposed skin as possible, clothing, hats and sunglasses - Applying sunscreen - Re-organising work.
Where work has to occur outside for extended periods, assess the location of this work, proximity to reflective surfaces, such as concrete, and the availability of natural shade from surrounding structures or trees. If there is no natural shade, have a physical barrier to UV radiation by erecting temporary shade structures, if reasonably practicable.
Training It is important that employers train employees to raise awareness of the risks associated with exposure to UV and the sun protection measures required.
It is also important to ensure that employees adopt sun protection measures. Topics to include in training are: - Health effects of exposure to UV radiation and why outdoor construction workers are a high risk group - Factors affecting levels of UV radiation - Correct use of sun protection measure on site - Early detection of skin cancer.
Legal requirements The OHS Act also requires that employees must take reasonable care of their own health and safety. Employees must co-operate with the employer on any action the employer needs to take to maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
Consultation with workers Employers must consult with the relevant elected health and safety representative during the development of a sun protection policy for work sites, and selecting appropriate sun protection measures. Where there are no elected health and safety representatives, employers must involve employees directly.
Creating pathways to employment 3k to Christchurch is a year long initiative to help Work and Income job seekers from elsewhere in New Zealand take up job offers in Canterbury. Sustained job growth in Canterbury means demand for labour is outstripping supply throughout the region. Labour market forecasts indicate there could be 16,000 new jobs in the next two years in Canterbury. Canterbury needs to activate as much of our labour force as it can to help meet this demand - connecting Canterbury employers with skilled, willing job seekers from other areas. One barrier for beneficiaries applying for work in Canterbury is having the financial reserves to get there and get set up if they have a job offer. The $3k initiative allows beneficiaries with the right skills for Canterbury to tap into this strong labour market and get some financial assistance to move there. Eligible people are paid $3,000 tax-free in one lump sum to help them relocate. The money doesn’t have to be paid back unless the person leaves their Christchurch job within the first three months without good reason, or reapplies for a benefit within the first three months.
They also work with Canterbury employers to help them find the right people for their vacancies and promote Canterbury vacancies nationwide to connect Work and Income clients to the Canterbury labour market. The package started on 1 July, 2014 and is open to up to 1,000 beneficiaries until 30 June, 2015.
Success story Ashton Tairua is an excellent candidate for the 3k to Christchurch investment. He’s grateful for the opportunity which has helped him move from Kaikohe in Northland to secure good employment in the Christchurch rebuild. Having had 14 years’ experience in the asbestos removal industry, Ashton has been promoted to supervisor since starting work in Christchurch in July. He runs the crew, co-ordinating staff, managing and enforcing health and safety procedures, and he also provides his employer with suggestions for improvements on site and staff management. “There are no job opportunities for someone with my qualifications at home right now,” he says. “I’ve had years in this industry but I couldn’t put my skills to use. It’s a big sacrifice. I miss my family, but the best thing about coming to Christchurch is the work and the money.“ Ashton also says he wanted to thank Kaikohe Work and Income staff who helped him to update his qualifications to NZ Standards and the 3k to Christchurch opportunity. Ashton’s employer, Hamish Cormack says “Ashton’s contribution to our business is crucial. He has so much knowledge and skill. The business pays for him to return home for weekends to see his family and that’s important to ensure he can continue working for us.”
Ashton Tairua (left) and Hamish Cormack.
As well as the $3k payment, people may also qualify for Transition to Work and/ or Recoverable Assistance Payments, which can help with things like clothing and initial childcare and transport costs. People moving to the Christchurch area to take up the $3k offer are fully briefed by Work and Income about life in Canterbury so they know what to expect, including potential accommodation and transport issues. They are offered an in-work assistance service to help them settle in, receive a general information pack about the Canterbury region and have access to $3k co-ordinators everywhere outside Canterbury to make sure they get the information they need before leaving. Work and Income also provides the help they need on arrival and talks to them about whether they may be eligible for Transition to Work and other assistance available to beneficiaries moving into employment. Work and Income pay eligible people $3,000 when they move to the Christchurch area to take up a full time job.
WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE SAFETY OF YOUR STAFF, CONTRACTORS AND THE PUBLIC. With more than 20 years’ experience in the construction sector we are well aware of the needs of the industry. This means we realise how important the safety of your best asset – your staff – is to you and your company’s future.
how critical your deadlines are and we guarantee to be on time – check out our Secureguarantee.
Secureguarantee • We guarantee to beat any written quote by 10% • We guarantee to return all quotes within 48 hours otherwise you will receive the first week rental FREE of charge!
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* Terms and conditions apply to the Secureguarantee
And when you deal with us you’re dealing with the owner, which means you receive a superior and speedy service – every time.
By using Securefence you can rest assured that your objectives of safety, cost and meeting deadlines are of paramount importance.
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Ask your builder if he’s using Securefence – it will save you money.
P: 0800 66 00 22 | F: 0800 55 50 54 www.securefence.co.nz | www.securescaffold.co.nz 47b Birmingham Drive, Middleton, PO Box 1879, Christchurch 8140, NZ