END-OF-YEAR NEWS FROM MASTERLINK MENTORED APPRENTICESHIPS INCLUDES THE LAUNCH OF THE MASTERLINK ONLINE COURSE LIBRARY, PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF UPSKILLING OPTIONS FOR APPRENTICES.
Shout out to Aki! Akida Shimamoto took the top spot at the Southern Regional Finals of Plumbing World’s 2021 Young Plumber of the Year. We’re immensely proud of Aki, who’s a Masterlink apprentice, hosted by Peter Ryder at Hiflo Plumbing in Oamaru. In fact, we’re proud of all the Masterlink apprentices who have taken part and enjoyed successes in this year’s competition, facing off against other skilled apprentices and qualified plumbers, drainlayers and gasfitters aged 31 and under. Peter and his father Ian were both at the Southern Regional Finals to enjoy the event and cheer on Aki. The 2021 Young Plumber of the Year National Final is due to be held at Wintec in Hamilton on 19 February 2022.
Aki Shimamoto with host Peter Ryder at the Southern Regional Finals of Plumbing World’s 2021 Young Plumber of the Year competition.
BE A LIFE SHAVER Masterlink is reminding apprentices that facial hair and stubble can prevent a good seal on respiratory protective equipment (RPE). This has been the safetyBecome topic of theaquarter four appraisals, with life shaver - Perfectly guidance for Masterlink apprentices fitted masks save lives on when RPE should beHairstyles worn, how to getwho a perfect fit andrespirators what Facial for workers wear tight-fitting
harmful materials it can protect you from. Shaving your beard could save your life, says WorkSafe in its Life Shavers campaign. Find good advice and information at www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-andindustry/work-related-health/carcinogens-andairborne-risks/life-shavers
Respirator sealing surface
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This poster is part of WorkSafe’s Life Shaver campaign and shows which facial hair styles work with RPE... and which don’t!
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Tight fitting respirators rely on a good seal between the respirator and skin. Facial hair and stubble (even one day’s growth) make it almost impossible to get a good seal. Care should be taken to ensure that facial hair that fits within the seal does not interfere with parts of the respirator such as valves. If your workers have beards (and are not willing shave) you will need to consider providing other forms of RPE that do not rely on a tight face fit.
For further information see www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/personal-protective-equipment-ppe/ respiratory-protective-equipment/advice-for-businesses/
