THE CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY & TRADE SUPPLEMENT
• TAKE THE SHOCK OUT OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY • LOOKING AT ROAD CONES WITHOUT SEEING RED • UNDERGROUND CABLES - HOW TO DIG SAFELY • MAKING A NOISE ABOUT PROTECTING HEARING • HIGHLIGHTING WORKER FATIGUE
ELECTRICAL SAFETY SOLUTIONS TESTING & TAGGING MADE EASY
• DIY TRAINING • FULL ONGOING SUPPORT • PAT TESTING INSTRUMENTS • TEST TAGS SUPPLIED
0800 638 768 | www.metrotest.com
NATIONWIDE TEST & TAG
Home of the SupaPAT TM the most auditable secure testing system
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
See orange, not red For a while, Christchurch seemed to have developed a curious fondness for humble orange traffic cones. They appeared in art, were adorned with flowers and featured in news stories. But as the rebuild moves out of the honeymoon phase with more than half of SCIRT’s five year programme completed, is there a risk that people will stop feeling a fondness for orange and start seeing red instead? SCIRT is one of the key players in the rebuild space. With responsibility for repairing and rebuilding roads and wastewater, storm water and fresh water networks, SCIRT’s work often impacts traffic as underground services are generally located in the road corridor. “SCIRT’s goal is to rebuild horizontal infrastructure, but we need to do this while keeping traffic flowing,” says SCIRT general manager, Ian Campbell (who took over from Duncan Gibb in December).
Every day within Greater Christchurch there are more than 1.1 million trips made by car or truck, 50,000 made by bus and a similar number made by bike. Keeping people and goods moving safely and efficiently is essential to a vibrant economy and a critical priority for Christchurch during the rebuild phase. “No one likes being caught up in road works. This is why we look at traffic management at three levels— project, programme and citywide perspectives, because any change to traffic has the potential to affect the network elsewhere. It isn’t easy and people may not be aware of the extensive analysis, planning and preparation involved. We need to make sure there isn’t so much work in a particular area that it brings traffic to a standstill,” Ian says. SCIRT also works with other agencies, including Christchurch City Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency on a coordinated, city-wide approach. This includes continual assessment of the cumulative effects on traffic of work sites across the city and ensuring the right traffic management plan strategy is in place.
With SCIRT reaching its construction peak this year, Ian wants to remind people that we all have a part to play in making sure the traffic management around the city is effective. “We can only succeed together. The next time you drive through road works, remember that for many of the people rebuilding our city, the road is their workplace.” Christchurch motorists will probably have noticed workers with ‘STMS’ emblazoned on their safety vest. The acronym stands for Site Traffic Management Supervisor, and each of these people is qualified to manage traffic.
“We have about 100 STMS qualified people out there at the moment. They deserve the respect of everyone on the road. It is not worth risking a life to save a few minutes. It’s all a matter of allowing a bit of extra time and accepting that road works are a part of our city’s recovery.” SCIRT produces bumper stickers to promote safe driving through road works. If you’d like copies for your workplace or car, contact SCIRT at info@scirt.co.nz, or visit www.strongerchristchurch.govt.nz for details of SCIRT’s work.
Recycled road cones diverted from landfill
^ Some of the 2,000 dead road cones from Fulton Hogan recently recycled by Proline Plastics.
New Zealand road cone manufacturer, Proline Plastics, has closed the loop by taking back their old road cones, which will be shredded and recycled into new cones.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE PROLINE CREATING SUSTAINABILITY NZ MANUFACTURER PROTECTING NZ ROADS FOR OVER 20 YEARS Ph: 0800 277 654 or 09 276 1670 Fax: 09 276 1661 | E: info@proline.co.nz www.proline.co.nz
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.
02
More than 15,000 road cones have been recycled by the company in the last four years at zero cost to their customers.
Proline is a great example of a New Zealand manufacturer offering added value to customers by closing the loop and recycling its own products back into new ones.
While road cones are a source of frustration to many New Zealand motorists, they are a necessary evil, as they play an important part in road safety and every year, thousands of road cones come to the end of their useful life. They become damaged, or lose their reflectivity, so companies have to dispose of them.
It is important that when companies make purchasing decisions on road cones they factor in the cost of disposing these cones to landfill, especially as more New Zealand companies starts to work towards a carbon zero approach in business.
Proline Plastics has developed a process that enables them to recycle old cones into new ones, making them a more environmentfriendly alternative to imported cones.
PROLINE PLASTICS RECYCLING END OF LIFE CONES
PUBLISHER: Gary Collins BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Clive Greenwood PRO CO-ORDINTATOR: Carolynne Brown WORKSAFE EDITORIAL : Kate Wright
Most road cones in New Zealand are made of PVC, a robust plastic that can be enhanced with additives to make it resistant to the harsh UV put out by New Zealand sun.
EDITORIAL: Jonathan Taylor DESIGN: Jarred Shakespeare PRINTING: Guardian Print
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 – J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4
On average, finished Proline road cones contain around 16 percent recycled material and during the last four years, Proline has recycled in excess of 15,000, or 100 tonnes, of road cones; material that’s been diverted from NZ landfills.
Proline helps customers avoid landfill costs by recycling these old cones for free. This stewardship of their products is not something that distributors of imported cones currently offer. This is an example of a growing trend for manufacturers to help their customers deal with their products at the end of their life.
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)
133 Kiwi-invented base isolators to cushion new Christchurch Precinct NEW ZEALAND COMPANY ROBINSON SEISMIC is very proud to be supplying the New Zealand Government with base isolation for Christchurch’s new Justice and Emergency Services Precinct.
earthquake, and that people and property inside would be thrown around much less. In an earthquake, this building would roll gently with the punches,” says Kate Canderle, Sales & Administration Manager of Robinson Seismic Ltd.
The Lower Hutt-based company was founded by the late Dr William (Bill) Today in Christchurch, Prime Minister Rt Robinson who invented the first lead Hon John Key, together with the Minister rubber bearings that have now been used under at least 5,000 buildings of Justice Hon Amy Adams, Minister for worldwide, including at least 14 in Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Hon New Zealand, notably Te Papa Gerry Brownlee and Associate Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Hon Tongarewa, Parliament Buildings and Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Nicky Wagner visited the site to view This hospital is the only building in construction progress and see the base Christchurch that was base isolated and isolation up close. it remained fully operational following A system of 50 lead rubber bearings both the September 2010 and February and 83 slider bearings (133 in total) will 2011 earthquakes. protect the precinct which is classified as “Both rubber and lead make excellent ‘IL4’, meaning that after an earthquake base isolation materials as, while they it needs to be not just standing – it are very strong and stiff vertically, needs to be fully operational. they flex horizontally if the ground “In conjunction with Holmes Consulting moves beneath them, then return to Group base isolation specialist Mr Alan their original shape. The rubber acts Park we designed the bearings exactly as a spring returning the building to to the precinct requirements. This is its original position and the lead acts a critical building for the city and our as a shock absorber to dampen the energy generated by the earthquake. modelling shows that it would remain Our system will allow the precinct to fully operational after a substantial
move around 250mm sideways in an earthquake the size of February 2011, or up to 600mm in a larger event,” says Ms Canderle. A common misconception is that base isolation is expensive, when in fact it adds very little to overall construction costs of new buildings. “Base isolation minimises earthquake strengthening requirements to surpass required levels of building code compliance, which also saves money, and there are substantial insurance benefits as a result,” she says. Once completed at the end of 2016, the three-building precinct will house Christchurch’s justice and emergency services, including a purpose-built emergency operations centre and New Zealand’s first shared 111 emergency call centre for the entire South Island.
PM and Ministers view base isolation.
BASE ISOLATION IN THE PRECINCT > Lead Rubber Bearings are a New Zealand invention by the late Dr William (Bill) Robinson, a world-renowned earthquake engineer who owned Robinson Seismic Ltd, the successful supplier of the Precinct’s base isolation system. > 133 isolators will cushion the precinct – compared to 147 under Te Papa, 135 under Wellington hospital and 40 under Christchurch Women’s Hospital.
> 50 of those will be lead rubber bearings, and 83 will be slider bearings > The precinct is an ‘IL4’ classified and its buildings will be able to move 600mm sideways on the bearings in a massive earthquake, and would move around 250mm sideways in an event the size of Feb 22, 2011. > Lead rubber bearings are used in more than 5,000 structures in at least eight countries worldwide. > Both rubber and lead make excellent base isolation materials as, while they are very strong and stiff vertically, they flex horizontally if the ground moves beneath them, then return to their original shape. PO Box 33 093 Petone 5046 Wellington, New Zealand T : 64 4 569 7840 F: 64 4 586 9899 E: k.canderle@rslnz.com www.rslnz.com 69 Gracefield Road Lower Hutt, Wellington.
www.robinsonseismic.com
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
11
Underground cables - how to dig safely The Worksafe publication Guide for Safety with Underground Services can assist you to work safely around buried services and from February there will be a toolbox programme put out for the safety charter members.
2 2
Electricity network lines company Orion has been educating contractors engaged in the repair and rebuild of the city, to avoid risk by better managing construction sites by using best practices. It is important to remember to take no chances buried cables can kill - so before digging, check for buried power cables because there are numerous underground cables in the street and on private property, as many utilities (electricity, telephone, gas, water and sewer) all share the same space.
3 3
Cable maps Orion has free maps to help you locate our underground cables. But be aware that Orion no longer maintains records of privately owned cables. However, their older records may assist you - but even if they do have old records, they will not guarantee their accuracy.
Locating cables is so important An electrician probably laid the cable from the street to the building. At the time he should have given you (or the then property owner) a record of the cable location. If you don't have this record, you can arrange for a contractor to plot the route with an electronic cable locator, or use an electronic locator such as a Ditchwitch hand held locator, or their larger UtiliGuard Locator, if you have to cover a larger area on a new construction site. Site safety Orion has free, onsite posters and their public safety advisors will deliver training onsite or at a contractor training facility, from early morning to late evening to suit contractors requirements. The information includes identifying the different types of network equipment, what the minimum safe approach distance are, how to apply for a close approach consent and what to do if they, or any of their work team, make contact with either underground cables or overhead power lines. There is a strong emphasis on avoiding contact with underground cables.
You can obtain maps by calling Orion mapping centre on 0800 363 9898 on weekdays between 8am and 4.30pm.
Electrical qualifications a hit Opportunities are ever increasing in the job market for people trained in the electrical industry, especially as the rebuild gathers momentum. Southern Institute of Technology, Christchurch campus, offers a variety of electrical courses for international people requiring New Zealand registration, or others wanting to retrain as an electrician and for those leaving school who are seeking a career. The ability to think logically is a great asset for people pursuing careers in the electrical trade. Strength in maths or the desire to master basic maths, and tidy work habits are desirable. Of all the trades the electrical trade is probably the most theoretical. The Certificate in Electrical Engineering Trade Skills is a 40 week full time programme. Successful students of this course can apply for apprenticeship training agreements with The Skills Organisation. Students begin by understanding the basic electrical theory including Ohms law, atomic theory, power and energy, and basic mechanics. These concepts are reinforced as students develop through practical experiments. Students learn through soldering projects, circuitry, wiring work, standard house wiring and testing. Safety procedures are integrated throughout their study and are paramount while conducting individual and group projects.
04
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 – J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4
For people applying to the Electrical Workers Registration Board for New Zealand Registration, SIT Christchurch is a training provider offering the prescribed course work and exams for Electricians Theory and Regulations. SIT Christchurch also offers Practical Assessment Stages 1, 2 and/or 3. The Christchurch Campus runs EWRB approved competence programmes for electricians needing to renew their licence. These “refreshers” cover electrical safety and instruction in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid. To find out more about this course, discuss our training options or tour the facilities, call 0800 TO STUDY (0800 867 883) or visit the campus at 60 Waterloo Road, Hornby, between 8am to 4.30pm.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
Electrical safety options By Mark Goldthorpe registration to do the testing. Many people probably thought the standard was there to invent a new industry with the right to print money via tags! This was certainly not the intention.
Whilst the title for this article includes the word ‘options’, safety itself is not optional! If we were to somehow separate compliance from safety, it is the safety that should be dominant and compliance secondary. Effectively, compliance should be in partnership with safety.
People do need to be ‘competent’ but do not have to be electrically registered or qualified electrically. I am not suggesting a loop hole to somehow avoid electrical safety, but merely to highlight options.
AS/NZS3760 often referred to as the ‘test and tag standard’ was developed as a guide to ensure electrical safety in the workplace was achieved. The forward of this standard states, among other things, that the inspection and testing required by the standard be a cost effective approach to safety without jeopardising personal safety or involving excessive equipment downtime.
During the years I have been involved in training literally thousands of these ‘competent’ people both here and in Australia, and most will do a good job when given the right training and equipment. In New Zealand every item is required (even when new) before being put into service for the first time in a workplace, to be inspected and tagged.
If you are involved in the construction industry which requires testing every three months, or any workplace for that matter, where frequent ‘testing and tagging’ is happening, then you will no doubt be familiar with the interruption this can cause and the costs involved. Well maybe it is time to reconsider some options that are available and legal. These options, if done correctly, may actually enhance safety and make life easier and less expensive.
Having a trained ‘competent’ person in your company with usually a PAT (portable appliance tester) makes compliance easy and it can potentially increase safety and save costs; it’s something that might be worth looking into as it could just be the win/win you were looking for.
In the foreword of the standard it states the philosophy behind the standard was to allow people without formal qualifications or
Remember you already are part of the required safety solution – it’s every ones responsibility. The mechanic who puts the WoF on your car is
not responsible for the ongoing safety of your car, but rather you are - they only see it occasionally. Like the driver of the car, users of electrical equipment should also quickly visually inspect electrical equipment before use. The WoF or electrical testing in our case is the official thumbs up, but ongoing awareness of the safe condition of the item in use is the user’s responsibility. Doing this testing in-house, rather than outsourcing, also makes it easier to deal with new tools etc, otherwise new items will be waiting for someone to turn up to test them. But if you do not have a person who can undertake the testing then there are companies that will offer a service that can minimise tool down time by offering overnight services. But it is important to reminder that it is law for construction sites to be checked every three months. Mark Goldthorpe, managing director of Metrotest, started out in the electrical industry in the 80s, setting up Metrotest in 1998 and has been a member of the EL36 Standards Committee which writes AS/NZS3760 since 1999. www.metrotest.com
Heads up – watch out for overhead lines Energy Safety advises planners, architects, builders and Local Authorities, as well as property owners and developers, are being advised to consider overhead electric lines (power lines) and overhead line supports when planning any construction. There are rules we have to observe to supply and use electricity safely. One of these is to keep safe distances (clearances) between overhead lines and their supports, and any other structures. These clearances must be factored into any plans before starting construction to ensure safety. The general requirements for maintaining safe distances are set out in regulation 17 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010. Regulation 17 refers to detailed requirements in New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice Electrical Safe Distances (ECP34). The safe distances specified in Electrical Code of Practice (ECP) 34 for construction in proximity to existing electricity lines also apply when new lines are being constructed close to existing structures. It is also important to watch out for overhead lines and line supports during construction. Not giving proper consideration to overhead electric lines can have serious and expensive consequences. A property owner was convicted and fined for failing to carry out a direction issued under the Electricity Act 1992 to restore safe distances between an extension to a shed and existing overhead electric lines. Not only did they have to pay a large fine, but also the remedial work.
IT IS NOW LAW TO
CHECK ALL
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT EVERY 3 MONTHS *conditions apply for different areas
• AS/NZS 3760 • 24/7 SERVICES • OVERNIGHT TRADE SERVICES • BRING TO ME OR I WILL COME TO YOU
WE DO CONSTRUCTION
UTILIGUARD
YOUR JUGS FOR *conditions apply
TM
FREE
UTILITY LOCATING SYSTEM
FACTORY
OFFICE 0800 DWNZLTD www.ditchwitchnz.com
CALL: DAN - 021 403 550 OR REBEKAH - 021 064 5842 EMAIL: rebekah.ctt@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/canterburytestandtag
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 – J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4
05
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Asbestos removal: Safety hazards and solutions
Rebuild water bottle drop aims to reduce fatigue Keeping rebuild workers physically and mentally alert as they’re under pressure to meet pre-Christmas deadlines is the aim of a new water bottle campaign.
By: Terry Gorman, 3M Senior Occupational Hygienist
WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC have teamed up for the ‘Beat Fatigue’ campaign to help workers get through this traditionally busy period. “We know that construction workers are often under pressure at this time of year to get work completed before the Christmas closedown,” says WorkSafe Canterbury occupational health project manager, Donna Burt. “As construction work involves high risk activities we need our workers to be alert to be able to stay safe onsite,” she says. As part of the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter's self-assessment tool, fatigue has been raised as a major issue. From the Charter’s 10 actions, impairment and fatigue was the biggest area where organisations involved in the rebuild noted that they needed more support to develop fatigue management policies and plans and to support workers onsite.
Asbestos-related diseases are responsible for an increasing number of deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis. In addition, asbestos has been linked to other diseases including lung cancer, laryngeal cancer and ovarian cancer.
Home renovators also have the potential to be exposed to asbestos when working on older homes.
Major source of exposure to asbestos: Older buildings with insulated reticulated services infrastructure undergoing renovation or demolition where maintenance and demolition workers are employed.
Persons involved in asbestos work, or even working around asbestos materials, need to be aware of the relevant information as it applies in their situation. Each State Health and Safety Authority has regulations and guidance material relating to the identification, monitoring and safe removal of asbestos.
Exposure to airborne asbestos fibers occurs primarily during dust forming operations such as: · Manual handling · Sawing · Sanding · Grinding · Other activities · Drilling. involving asbestos containing material
“The message is simple. People need to eat, sleep and hydrate well.”
Workers most at risk from asbestos exposure Those carrying out maintenance, repair or refurbishment work or asbestos removal in buildings, including factories built or refurbished before 1985-for example: carpenters, plumbers, electricians and cable installers.
Is FATIGUE an issue on your site?
Asbestos should only be removed by suitably trained and certified workers. There are asbestos removal companies that have the equipment, expertise and certification to perform asbestos removal work.
Congratulations to the 172 construction and insurance companies who have signed or endorsed the Charter.
GET INVOLVED
IN 2015
Visit www.safetycharter.org.nz for more information. 06
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 – J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4
In addition, a Respiratory Protection programme created in accordance with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1715:2009 “Selection Use & Maintenance of Respiratory Protective Devices” should be introduced where workers are exposed to airborne asbestos. Different levels of exposure require different levels of respiratory protection.
Respiratory hazards: When asbestos is mined or processed or when asbestos-based products are sanded, sawn or drilled, it can form a fine airborne dust made up of tiny fibres. These fibres are easily breathed into the lungs where they can become embedded. Due to their small size and elongated shape, these fibres can resist the lungs’ natural cleaning process and may cause serious health problems in later years.
Removal Asbestos can irritate your eyes like any foreign body or dust particle. The level of irritation can be minimal to extreme depending upon the amount of asbestos that enters the eye. In addition, though not common, asbestos particles can penetrate and become lodged inside the eye. Eyewear is also recommended during floor tile removal. Protection is needed from head to toe to avoid being exposed to the harmful asbestos fibres.
There are different types of respiratory protection solutions for the various types of asbestos handling work. Selection of the
For more information about 3M safety solutions for working with asbestos, visit: 3M.com/au/ppeasbestos
WorkSafe NZ highlights worker fatigue as safety priority WorkSafe’s Canterbury Rebuild Health and Safety Programme director, Kathryn Heiler says that work related and non-work related fatigue is a significant potential hazard facing the construction industry that needs to be carefully managed.
The Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter has grown threefold in 18 months.
appropriate respiratory protection solution is critical in achieving suitable level of protection from airborne asbestos fibres.
“We’re seeing a combination of more extended working hours combined with intensive work which can compromise the quality and quality of recovery time. Anything that reduces sleep quantity and quality can result in impaired work performance. Where this impacts on safely critical risks it has the potential to cause serious harm in the workplace,” she says. What is worker fatigue? Work related fatigue can be a result of work and non-work-related factors or a combination of both. Poorly designed work schedules can limit the amount of time that workers can physically and mentally recover from work, while working at night or starting very early in the morning can disrupt the body’s normal sleep cycle. Long commuting times can further exacerbate the problem.
Some job demands can also cause fatigue. Jobs that are physically or mentally strenuous, repetitive monotonous, or require continued physical effort can increase the risk of fatigue. Fatigue in construction Across construction, safety critical work that can be affected by fatigue includes working at heights, driving mobile plant and equipment and electrical work. Across Canterbury rebuild worksites are busy and demands are great. Well rested and fit workers will be at less chance of harm and injury. Kathryn says management of fatigue is a shared responsibility. “Employers have a duty to ensure work schedules and job demands are organised to allow for adequate recovery time and minimise the chances of task related fatigue. WorkSafe New Zealand has a factsheet on Fatigue in Construction on its website: http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/ information-guidance/all-guidance-items/ fatigue-in-construction-fact-sheet Check out the Canterbury Rebuild Safety Charter's information on impairment, including fatigue, here: http:// safetycharter.org.nz/industry/improvingyour-charter-performance/impairment/
NOISE PREVENTION
The personal reasons for protecting hearing Hearing is a key sense and its protection is critical. But in the end, it’s up to each of us to ensure that our hearing is protected around hazardous noise. By following good hearing conservation practices in noise, regardless of environment or task, we can maintain good hearing health — and safeguard the enjoyment and value of our good hearing. Warning signs Unlike other injuries or diseases, there is no visible evidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). It is usually not traumatic and often goes unnoticed in its early stages. NIHL accumulates over time with every unprotected exposure to hazardous noise levels. Its effects are realised long after the damage has been done. NIHL is permanent and irreversible – but it is 100 percent preventable. Keeping safe To keep your hearing safe, it helps to know when your hearing is in danger. Noise is generally defined as “unwanted sound,” but hazardous noise is a level and duration that can damage your hearing.
Noise induced hearing loss and noisy workplaces have become a serious issue for New Zealand business As such, hearing tests are mandatory if your workplace has noise levels exceeding 85dBALeq8. And this noise output should be monitored every five years - or sooner if plant and equipment is purchased or modified. It is recommended that hearing tests be carried out annually to comply with the Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Noise in the Workplace.
The easiest way to determine if noise is hazardous is the arm’s length rule. If you have to raise your voice to be heard over the noise by someone about one arm length away, the noise is potentially at a hazardous level -- about 85 decibels. Very short exposures (a few seconds in passing) are not a problem, because the ear can recover from occasional short moderate exposures. But when the hazard is present for a longer period of time, depending on the level, it can cause permanent hearing loss. Overall, there are several ways to protect your self from hazardous noise: Decrease the noise level, limit your exposure, distance yourself from the source of the noise or place barriers between you and the noise source. Protection When noise is unavoidable, the best way to protect your hearing is to use an appropriate hearing protection device -- earplugs or
earmuffs. The specific model or style of earplug or earmuff that would work best is dependent on a variety of factors, such as: • Very short exposures - perhaps earmuffs or banded earplugs that are easy to take off and put on • Extended exposures - maybe an earplug that is comfortable and blocks enough noise for proper protection • Sudden or impact noise - could require an electronic hearing protector that allows the wearer to hear what’s around him, but provides “instant” protection from intermittent sharp hazardous noise • Communication in a noisy environment consider a communication earmuff or earplug. Information provided by Honeywell visit: www.honeywell.com
This Approved Code of Practice requires you to have current noise levels reviewed to avoid employees being exposed to potentially damaging doses of noise and you being prosecuted for noise induced hearing loss. Since the new heath and safety legislation has been passed by the Government, all levels of management within a company, from directors to the supervisor, must comply with the law and ensure their employees will not have hearing problems in the future, and understand that under the Health and Safety Act, all employers have a responsibility to use best practice for noise protection and monitoring. Worksafe NZ is going to being taking a closer look at occupational health matters during the coming period, so it is very important that companies are better prepared.
FREE Bay Audiology provides
hEaRing aids for approved ACC claimants
Has your occupation taken a toll on your hearing? If you have a hearing loss that is caused by exposure to noise in the workplace, ACC may provide compensation towards hearing aids. With this compensation, Bay Audiology will always be able to tailor at least one solution that will be 100% FREE.
Please call 0800 800 854 to arrange a FREE appointment to discuss your options.
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 – J A N UA R Y / F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 4
07
STAYING ON TOP OF TRAFFIC Traffic management is more than road cones and vehicle routes. It’s about matching services to how you might travel the streets. This is the business of Traffic R Us. Gaining the right consents quickly and efficiently and running a site correctly means ensuring every specification is accurately met. “We don’t put our clients or ourselves at risk by rushing through job plans. We prefer to get it right first time, saving our clients time and money. For on the road peace of mind we ensure our service is always to the highest standard. When it comes to delivering a safe, efficient and reliable traffic management service, we’re driving ahead.”
Why use Traffic R Us? The company started in 2008 with a small tight-knit team. “With two full-time Traffic Management Planning (TMP) designers we can scope and prepare detailed plans with speed, precision and efficiency. It’s here we pride ourselves on going above and beyond. Our planning expertise means clients can progress their projects with the minimum of fuss and stress.
“Our work is about preparing for a huge range of contingencies – then being able to react correctly if things change. Here, experience is crucial. We need to recognise crowd and individual behaviour in high-risk traffic situations and respond quickly and confidently.” Despite the standards and regulations there is distinct difference in what you may receive in terms of service and outcome in the industry. With the challenging conditions of Christchurch roads an even stronger focus on this ever changing environment is required. Most of us grew up driving these roads. This local understanding bolsters the company’s experience even further.
Capabilities The strong reputation of Traffic R Us has been earned through its attention to detail and client oriented service. Long standing relationships with clients stands as testament to this work. “These clients know that we won’t cut corners. The many rules and regulations are there for a reason. That’s why we always have approved documentation before moving onto the next phase of a project. “The huge amount of work that goes into the mapping and planning side of our work is non-negotiable. “The dangers of traffic management are obvious, as are the problems of impeded traffic flow. So we ensure our services are
“It’s not just the drivers we must consider but every type of road user – from the pedestrian to the jogger to the cyclist to the bus driver. “We offer a wide range of traffic management equipment, from a simple temporary warning Then there is equally large range of conditions that New Zealand roads are subjected to. We sign through to advanced Variable Message plan for every user and every condition. LED signs. efficient, consistent and to an incredibly high standard.
While we import some specialist equipment much of our product range is developed and produced locally. We ensure every piece is built to the highest standard – when safety is paramount you need complete confidence your equipment will do the job.” For a full price list of our traffic management equipment for hire, get in contact www.trafficrus.co.nz.
Health and safety There are a huge range of road users that require consideration when planning for and working in traffic management.
“Ensuring a safe passage around road changes involves giving everyone involved a clear direction. Our integrity and professionalism delivers on-going peace of mind to our clients. “We also have regular internal meetings to ensure everyone stays up to speed, and regular education sessions help our staff up skill. “At Traffic R Us we always try to remain streets ahead of any potential issue with traffic management. To accomplish this we remain true to our key principles and deliver consistently high standards in every aspect of our work.”
CONTACT US TODAY T 03 354 8575 T 0800 TRAF 4 U AH 03 387 0406 W www.trafficrus.co.nz E info trafficrus.co.nz A 527 Sawyers Arms Rd, Harewood, Christchurch P PO Box 20493, Bishopdale, Christchurch