SAFETY INSITE WINTER 2011 - Site Safe

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Construction workers – health and safety concerns Key issues facing Cantabrians are now chronic fatigue, stress and anxiety resulting from the three major earthquakes and over 7000 aftershocks. Throughout the shaky period since last September, the main hazards for construction workers to watch for have been: • Keeping public safe • People working at height with no plan to stop themselves from falling • The amount of dust and other poisons (such as asbestos) in the atmosphere from the amount of demolition - this can be partly controlled by dampening down the affected area with a hose • Confined space work in demolition sites • Do workers have an emergency plan? The legal side From 19 May 2011 within the three local authority areas in greater Christchurch: Christchurch City, Waimakariri, and Selwyn District Councils the following laws have been passed by the Department of Building and Housing. The seismic hazard factor for the design of all buildings has increased by 35 per cent from 0.22 to 0.3. Additionally, concrete floor foundations for housing will need to be tied and reinforced. These changes are likely to increase new residential building work costs from $2,000 to $9,000 per property, depending on the house size, foundation and the state of the ground. For more information about what the government has organised for the Canterbury earthquake recovery: www.beehive.govt.nz/feature/special-feature-canterbury-earthquakes-recovery To read the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2011/0012/latest/DLM3653522.html As you drive around Christchurch the enormous amount of work is visible, however, with the necessary public consultancy and engineering planning to be done – the timing of workflow is uncertain. Once work gets more underway, the sheer enormity of the work must not undermine safe working practises. While Cantabrians need to have their buildings restored and rebuilt, it is vital that the rebuilding is designed and built properly and takes into account what has been learnt from the past earthquakes – healthier, safer and more sustainable construction. No more injuries and deaths need to come out of the rebuild of Canterbury. Trade Specific Builders NZS 3604:2011 The revised timber-framed buildings Standard - NZS 3604:2011 is available now. NZS 3604 provides guidance to builders, architects, engineers, designers, and students for the design and construction of timber-framed structures not requiring specific engineering design. The Standard is a core resource for building consent authorities determining compliance with the New Zealand Building Code. For information about what's new with timber treatment go to the Department of Building and Housing website. 4
Electrical - Re-Licensing for 2011/2012 From the 23 May 2011 the Electrical Workers Registration Board contacted all registered electricians to advise them to apply to renew their licenses online at http://ewr.dbh.govt.nz/OnlineAccount/Login.aspx . Site Safe offers the safety refresher training (including CPR and Basic First Aid training) in line with the Electrical Workers Registration Board requirements on the Site Safe Electrical Passport. For more information see: Electrical Workers Registration Board website @ www.ewrb.govt.nz - under Training The Site Safe Electrical Passport Training Course on www.sitesafe.org.nz Plumbing, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board Public consultation opens for the Plumbing, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board draft competencies for registration and licensing. Click here to go to the Plumbing, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board website and see the document. Submissions close on 11 July 2011. Government Updates ACC Reviewing New Zealand's Accident Compensation System Past, current and future arrangements for accident compensation in New Zealand were debated at a conference about the acc scheme in Wellington during May 2011. The conference provided a forum for debate about accident compensation by industry representatives, academics, private insurers, and politicians. The original concept of the acc Scheme, arising from the Woodhouse Report in the early 1970’s was examined along with presenters who covered topics such as the private insurers’ perspective, disputes resolution, experience rating and overseas experience with experience rating and competition. A highlight was the address by Hon David Caygill who led a Government Stocktake of acc and its accounts. A report on the stocktake’s findings was produced earlier this year and the 5
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