Media Releases
South & East Auckland focus of construction safety campaign
27 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 South and East Auckland, where the biggest growth in residential construction was taking place. 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.”
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.
Auckland is also 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.”
The number of serious harm accidents occurring in the Auckland residential construction industry reported to the Department of Labour has risen sharply since 2002, and more than doubled within the space of two years - from 2003 (22 accidents) to 2005 (51 accidents).
Last year, almost half the residential construction accidents reported to the Department happened in Auckland.
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.
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
