Let's hear how our scaffolders are addressing work related injuries!We're hosting regular talks about how we are tackling some of the common musculoskeletal (sprains and strains) and wellbeing problems in our industry - starting with our scaffolders.

Stakeholder/media position. CHASNZ calls for action on deadly dust from engineered stone bench tops. Construction Health and Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ) is asking Government and industry to take action to eliminate the harm from kitchen bench tops and other products made from engineered stone containing high amounts of silica. Evidence in New Zealand and overseas shows that dust from engineered stone can be deadly and has been linked to the incurable lung disease silicosis, an illness likened to asbestosis.

Auckland flood remediation– how to keep healthy and safe while working on flood damaged property.Together with Construction Sector Accord, Mates in Construction and industry, CHASNZ has written this simple high-level guide to assist those businesses involved in remediating flood damaged buildings and property.

In relation to the flooding in Auckland and surrounding areas, here are some key messages from WorkSafe and Energy Safety

This safety alert is in relation to Vehicle run off road crashes and Rollovers- Driving for work The driving for work area presents a critical risk and there is a growing trend of run off road vehicle accidents in recent weeks which we want to support in preventing. If you have any questions about the safety alert or health and safety spotlight newsletter please don’t hesitate to email notifyhs@nzta.govt.nz

CHASNZ is proud to be working with the NZDAA and doing what we can to raise awareness and strengthen safety performance in the sector. Click below to read the review on the Asbestos industry commissioned by the NZDAA.

The electrician's Wall Of Pain

The Safety Alert provides information on the risks associated with Cardan shaft parking brakes, the dangers that owners and drivers must be aware of and the precautions that should be taken to prevent a vehicle rolling away.

Interactive injury reporting dashboard. Check here for the most up to date data from ACC and WorkSafe on injuries in the construction industry. Dive into the results for your trade or sector.

The use of Mobile Plant in construction is common and carries with it significant hazards that can affect both operators of Mobile Plant and those working around them.

This guide is designed to help telehandler owners and users to manage the risks presented by telehandlers.

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety alert over mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs), warning of a “serious technical fault”.

It's important for staff to know how to be safe around powerlines. It's ok to speak up if something doesn't look safe, or ask if you are unsure.

Many construction tasks, tools and equipment produce high noise levels. Exposure to these noise levels can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. WorkSafe have produced guidance about managing noise exposure in construction.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency have made amendments to their document, “Contractor health and safety expectations: guidance for supply chain partners”.

Every week on average, 10 New Zealanders die by suicide. Many more are treated in hospital after a suicide attempt, having seriously harmed themselves. Sadly, we have some of the highest youth suicide rates in the OECD and suicide rate for Māori are over 50 percent higher than for non-Māori. MATES in Construction and BRANZ co-released the research that was recently conducted across the industry.

In January 2020, CHASNZ published ‘Lag Indicator Guidance’ to meet the request of the construction sector to form a view on a standardised set of historical safety measures. It was acknowledged, at the time, that standardising lag indicators was only a start and there needed to be further investment in developing better measures that drove health and safety performance.

Part 1, The Pain of Painting | Musculoskeletal problems in the industry. With all of our commitments to health and safety, it may be easy to lose sight of an age old problem that’s been with our industry for hundreds of years. We need to do more to prevent more than 1000 Painters receiving work related strains and sprains each year. Many of these claims result in lost time and some in a total change of career yet all will cause stress and misery.

The lockdown period may have given some much needed downtime to many, but as we gradually start the process of returning to work and get used to more new protocols, MATES want to make sure that wellbeing and conversations around mental health are at the top of the list at your toolbox talks. As you head back onto site you may see some of the team struggle or be anxious about what is happening. Working with MATES you have already started the journey toward better mental health on site, you have the tools in your toolkit and this induction pack includes some helpful reminders to use when guiding the conversation on site.

In 2014, 61 experienced builders from around New Zealand were interviewed at work and asked what they thought were the risk factors to musculoskeletal problems (MSDs) in building and how these could be overcome. 164 interventions were recommended and then rated by the builders themselves, the researchers and also rated as to what was supported by evidence in the literature.

On Tuesday 7 July 2021, a worker ingested an unknown quantity of unleaded fuel while priming a siphon to transfer fuel from one portable generator to another. He was taken to the nearest medical centre where the doctor that examined him admitted him to Middlemore A&E. He underwent a nasal lavage and was kept under observation for several hours before being discharged.

In June the operator of an AirVac system was harmed when his leg was sucked into the live unit. The operator was excavating using an extension pipe, when the AirVac became blocked. He placed the extension pipe on the ground and left it running to clear itself. The operator continued other work in close proximity to the still running AirVac. When the blockage cleared the operators leg was pulled into the pipe. The worker has a fractured foot and is off work for a minimum of two months.

Few people would still support the existence of The Loch Ness Monster, the Yeti or even our very own Taniwha yet many have not questioned some of the myths around managing MSDs in the construction industry. The trouble with myths is they create unnecessary fear and hinder progress so they need to be challenged. Watch our short video; the top five myths in construction that still require debunking.

Tōtika is live, streamlining the pre-qualification process for buyers and suppliers in the New Zealand construction and civil infrastructure industries.The new scheme, launched by Construction Health & Safety New Zealand (CHASNZ), provides a uniform and easy-to-use framework for supplier health and safety pre-qualification. Before Tōtika, suppliers had to pre-qualify against a variety of different schemes and standards, taking a considerable amount of time for suppliers, reducing the number tender bids received by clients and creating inefficiency in the supply chain.

PPE is anything used or worn by a person (including clothing) to minimise risks to the person’s health and safety. This may include respiratory protective equipment, hearing protection, eye protection, protective clothing, and safety harness systems.

To address traffic risks on our sites we use many controls, most of which are guided by the Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management (CoPTTM). The effectiveness of some prescribed controls, particularly administrative controls, can be reduced greatly by undesirable human behaviour and failures.

Waka Kotahi are taking action on Sanwa Seiki brake systems on some Nissan UD trucks. They are doing this because of a number of incidents - including two fatalities - involving runaway vehicles when the operator of the vehicle believed the brake had been fully engaged when it hadn’t. These park brake systems, prevalent in some NC Class trucks were produced between 1993 and 2005. The factory-supplied Sanwa-Seki Park Brake Control Valve must be replaced with an alternative park brake control valve, preferably by one that is mounted to the left of the driver’s seat and that also has a graduated control action.

This guide provides practical advice on ways to identify and control the health and safety risks associated with work site traffic.Work site traffic can be a major cause of harm to workers and other people at work sites. These guidelines are for any person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) who manages a work site where there are vehicles or mobile plant operating, or whose workers carry out work at a work site where there are vehicles or mobile plant operating. It may also be useful for workers, health and safety professionals, or traffic management consultants who are providing traffic management advice to PCBUs.

CHASNZ has endorsed this good practice guideline and we encourage the industry to refer and use this document during any temporary works.

On the 25th June 2020, during a semi static operation on SH22 in Auckland, a sub-contracted worker was hit in a live lane by a vehicle being driven by a member of the public.

On 9th June 2020, an explosion and fire occurred after a driver applied alcohol-based hand sanitiser then proceeded to light a naked flame.

The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to clients to enable work alongside contractors to redeploy in an orderly and well-managed sequence during the COVID outbreak. This resource is intended to encourage clients to gain a better understanding of what their supply chains need to do to.

On the evening of the 27th March 2020 a member of the R&W Supply-chain was injured whilst installing a section of concrete pipe to terminate a drain run within a manhole.

The PPE shortage created by flow-on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. PPE is an essential part of work health and safety risk management for some types of work, such as healthcare. PCBUs should have a plan to manage the PPE shortage.

Concrete NZ has prepared these guidelines to assist builders and contractors with ordering and the delivery of ready mixed concrete to building sites. Please feel free to share this document with your membership.

To address inconsistency of people entering and working on our construction sites, CHASNZ worked with industry to develop guidance around Site Access Requirements.

Explore monthly data collected and reported by CHASNZ and WorkSafe to December 2019

A beta version of CHASNZ's Client Leadership Framework Guide. To be used in conjunction with the client leadership tool.

This is a beta version of the Client Leadership Framework self assessment tool. It is published for feedback from clients. It is to be used in conjunction with the Client Leadership Framework guidance pack.

Lag or results-based indicators are used to track the negative outcomes of health and safety performance over time and/or between industries, organisations, sites and functions. In order to be able to maximise the value of lag indicator recording it is essential to agree a common measurement framework.

Incompatible anchors and clutches on tilt slabs are being used and have high potential to cause harm. Please read the safety alert product bulletin by Reid on; “How to identify a genuine Reid™ Edge Lift Anchor”. The purpose of this document is to help minimise the likelihood of lifting failure in a precast or tilt-up concrete element where incompatible Reid Clutches and Anchors are used.

This article is the first in a series concentrating on the drivers behind construction related Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIFs) and where the leadership focus and investment needs to be to make significant change.Three focus areas are singled out specifically that relate to SIF elimination. It is written by Chris Alderson and Jon Harper-Slade from CHASNZ.

This study aims to understand the extent to which Safety in Design influences safety in recent transportation infrastructure projects in New Zealand.The concept of Safety in Design is that it is cheaper and easier to mitigate safety risks from across the project lifecycle by addressing them early. Safety in Design uses the knowledge gained from safety risk assessments to eliminate and minimise safety risks across the project lifecycle. The products of Safety in Design include a modified design and the creation of artefacts to communicate remaining risks and provide assurance that safety risks are managed to acceptable levels.

"Adults are considered protected if they have had doctor diagnosed measles or 2 doses of a measles vaccine given after 12 months of age. Measles immunisation has been given at different ages since it was introduced in NZ in 1969." [source Regional Public Health]. "Measles is a highly contagious disease that can be life threatening. Find out what the symptoms are and how immunisation can protect you and your family. You can also call the Immunisation Advisory Centre toll-free on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) for advice." [source Ministry of Health].

CHASNZ, with assistance from Dr. Kate Bryson and the Mental Health Foundation has developed this guide to Mental Health in Construction for Managers, a short document that talks about the why, what and how of mental health across the industry. This document can be shared across organisations to help support those who are supervising their teams better understand and help workers dealing with mental health issues.

This simple pocket guide is for all workers to assist before, during and after a conversation about mental health occurs with a worker. The intent is to normalise these conversations and create better workplace supportive bonds. This guide is consistent and supported by the upcoming launch of Mates in Construction.

WorkSafe launched its Guidelines for Working Near Low Voltage Power Lines this month. This is an important step forward for anyone working near buildings with overhead power lines. The document explains some effective controls as well as the requirements for close approach permits and the role of the building owner, even for a residential house. This guide also provides information on how to manage the risk of electric shock while work is being done near a live low voltage overhead electric line.

Silicosis is an irreversible and progressive disease that causes fibrosis of the lungs from the inhalation of RCS.

SiteSafe has produced 'Suicide in New Zealand’s Construction Industry Workforce: Factors Identified in Coronial Reports (2019)'.

Chris Alderson discusses report produced by Site Safe New Zealand into Suicide in New Zealand's Construction Industry Workforce.

CHASNZ has endorsed this good practice guideline and we encourage the industry to refer and use this document during any temporary works.

3M Fall Protection has learned of the possibility of a manufacturing defect in a dorsal d-ring utilized in ExoFit NEX™ harnesses manufactured between January 2016 and December 2018.

At approximately 1:50 pm on Tuesday, our Higgins team in the Rotorua area suffered a devastating tragedy, losing three friends and colleagues when their work area was struck by a third-party truck while completing regular, programmed road maintenance activities along State Highway 2 near Whakatane where the maximum speed limit is 100 km/hr.

On Sunday 6 March, 2016 an individual died at the scene of a motor vehicle incident on Mullins Rd, Papakura after their car went off the road and through a wooden fence.

Access and fall protection in residential construction.

Meeting obligations to prevent harm Harnessing opportunities to thrive.

A digger has tracked into a parked, unattended LV causing damage to the left hand rear door and step.

Earthworks team where constructing a crane pad in preparation for the installation of the pre-cast panels at retaining wall 10. A PCB barrier had been placed in front of the wall posts to fill against. The roller operator was told by the Project Engineer to remain at least 1m away from the edge of the barrier. During compaction, the roller has slid down into the uncompacted fill in front of the barrier becoming wedged at an acute angle

On the 21 April 2018 on a Western Australian Mine a 4-metre fall occurred when a user of fall-arrest equipment back-hooked/chocked his lanyard to an anchor point/steel structure prior to falling.

An Inframax employee partially amputated his index finger while operating a peg rammer to bang in culvert marker peg. He was installing a peg close to an electric farm fence and was mindful of avoiding this, which contributed to the positioning of the rammer and his hands.

A 1.5 ton Roller slid off the shoulder and tipped onto it's side. Luckily the driver was wearing a seatbelt and was uninjured.

On Monday 6th Aug, a contractor was unloading a 13-ton excavator from a transport trailer when it slipped sideways off the trailer at the top of the ramp, and tip onto its side.

MVA - A transporter operator sustained minor injury while delivering a roller to site because the roller slid down the side of a bank into a creek.

A Grundomat (pneumatic thruster)came into contact with a 3 phase 415 volt (low voltage)underground consumer electrical cableon an nbn Co HFC Project work site in NSW. At the time of the incident, the subcontractor work crew were installing a new pipe and cable link up,using the Grundomat to create the access route under the ground.

This technical bulletin is aimed at owners and operators of trucks and plant fitted with Cardan shaft parking brakes.

Line Haul truck was travelling south along SH1 at Ohau Point hauling a portacom. Unknown to the driver, it appears the door of the portacom building being transported had swung open and made contact with a Traffic Control Shelter with the Manual Traffic Controller inside.

Whilst using a hydraulic torque wrench to remove bolts on a flange, the seal between the swivel manifold post and the cassette failed, resulting in high pressure hydraulic fluid ejecting and penetrating through a workers glove and into their finger.

Approved code of practice for operator protective structures on self-propelled mobile mechanical plant describes good practice for operator protective structures, operator training, loading for transportation and seat belts.