Media Releases
Safety campaign targets Auckland residential construction
15 February 2006
The Department of Labour is about to launch one of its largest concentrated compliance campaigns, aimed at the Auckland construction industry.
The campaign, to be held over five days in March, will see 14 of the Department's health and safety inspectors converge on Auckland. They will be visiting 160 construction sites, to lift the level of health and safety legislation compliance.
The Department's chief advisor, health and safety Mike Cosman said the campaign was about getting the basics right. Inspectors would be looking for safe working practices in safe environments.
"The industry is on notice that it needs to get its act together before inspectors arrive."
The campaign will focus on four key areas:
- People: Employees and contractors. Particular attention will be paid
to training, correct use of equipment and use of personal protective equipment.
- Performance: Systems that principals and employers have in place for managing their sites.
- Place: The work site. Particular attention and a zero tolerance approach will be taken toward untidy sites that could lead to slips, trips and falls. Other areas of interest will be the site layout and fencing and welfare facility provision.
- Product: The correct selection and use of the right tool, equipment or piece of plant for the task.
Mr Cosman said residential construction was a high-risk, high-ACC claim sector. Auckland was the target because it accounted for 40 percent of national projects undertaken in New Zealand. More construction occurred in Auckland than in the entire South Island, he said.
"South and East Auckland, in particular, have seen huge growth in terms of migrants and the necessary infrastructural development and construction to support the new and growing populations," Mr Cosman said.
"Many of these employers and contractors, especially if they are new
migrants themselves, are unsure of their health and safety obligations,
and many workers are likely to be unclear of their statutory entitlements.
"In such a diverse community, we have to make a concerted effort to
instil good work practices and safety awareness from the ground up."
Auckland is home to half the country's construction businesses. Many of these were small operators, for whom safety on the job wasn't always a priority, he said. "We'll be aiming to change that attitude and explain to them that there is a better way to get the job done."
Mr Cosman said it was common knowledge well-run workplaces were more productive. "Productivity is vital to a healthy economy, and reducing injuries suffered and claims made from workers in the residential construction sector boosts productivity."
He said the campaign would have spin-offs for the rest of the country, as the Auckland construction industry had a huge influence on work ethics and practices adopted elsewhere in New Zealand.
While the emphasis was on health and safety, the Department's employment
relations and immigration services could also get involved.
To the journalist: please note that health and safety services formerly
referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred
to as the Department of Labour.
ENDS
