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Health and Safety in Construction PDF
Health and Safety in Construction PDF
Health and Safety in Construction PDF
Auckland 2014
FACULTY OF DESIGN AND CREATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
TE WANANGA ARONUI O TAMAKI MAKAU RAU
School of Engineering
ID Number 14840019
Assignment 1
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Executive summary
This report is prepared in order to outline three areas in the Canterbury construction industry health and
safety that need to be tackled. The region was chosen because of huge value of construction works after
earthquake. Moreover, these works include demolishing that add potential hazards. On the other hand New
Zealand Government makes efforts to provide safety in construction. Good practices that were developed
by NZ Government and wide range of hazards in the region make analysis potentially useful as suggested
approaches can be implemented in other locations worldwide.
Based on statistic, three potential hazard causes were selected for analysis in the paper, namely falls from
height, asbestos exposure and excavation works.
Total cost of accidents includes direct, indirect and intangible costs and is split among individual, family,
employer, economy and society (see Table 1). Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 2013) that is
major regulation act for Health and Safety in New Zealand sets duties for health and safety at work on
employer. In case of bleach of the act common law tend to charge based on summarizing compensation of
economic needs of victim and motivation company to implement proper health and safety system (Li &
Poon, 2013).
The accident may happened with any person on construction site, however, statistics present the most risky
occupations in terms of chance to be affected by named hazards:
Presented hazards have the different natures of their occurrence. Thus for fallings it is mainly human factor,
for asbestos – materials, and for excavation – engineering solutions and structures quality.
Suggested approach for hazard management includes five stages, namely: hazard identification, assessment,
control (risk elimination/isolation/minimization), monitoring and documentation.
Although health and safety implementation requires additional expenses and time for staff training and
implementing safety equipment and actions, health and safety (HS) system must be implemented in
organization. Understanding of HS significance among all project stakeholders including subcontractors’
employees is essential for accident prevention and law compliance.
The first step that is recommended to be done is identification hazards and planning its control. Appendixes
1-4 aimed to facilitate this process. They contain blanks for task analysis (Appendix 1), equipment selection
tools (Appendices 2, 3) and questionnaire for excavation work planning (Appendix 4). Appendix 6 includes
handler for analyzed in this paper hazards.
In parallel assessment of company’s HS system should be done. In order to make internal assessment
Appendix 5 contain self-awareness tool. For external audit the list of the New Zealand authorized auditors
can be found via this link: http://www.acc.co.nz/for-business/small-medium-and-large-business/how-to-
pay-less/BUS00056. These auditors are funded by ACC and audit is free for companies.
Further actions must be developed according to results of hazards assessment on particular project and
health and safety system audit within the company.
Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
Contents table
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1
Hazards costs ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Group of risk ................................................................................................................................................ 3
Asbestos .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Asbestos .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Asbestos .................................................................................................................................................... 6
Introduction
This report is prepared in order to outline three health and safety areas in the New Zealand construction
industry that need to be managed. Construction sector was recognized as one of the most injury risky
industry in New Zealand (Dyson, 2005). Analysis is completed based on an assumption that situation in
Christchurch construction industry is similar with whole New Zealand. This assumption was made
according to statistics of Accident Compensation Corporation (2014) (Figures 1, 2).
Figure 1 12 month moving average rate of injury claims per 10 Figure 2 12 month moving average rate of entitlement claims
000 employees in the construction sector of Christchurch and per 10 000 employees in the construction sector of
New Zealand (retrieved from Accident Compensation Christchurch and New Zealand (retrieved from Accident
Corporation (2014) Compensation Corporation (2014)
The highest risk of injury in the Canterbury
construction industry is coming from house building sector (Figure 3)
Figure 3 12 month moving average rate of injury claims in Canerbury by industry section (retrieved from Accident Compensation
Corporation (2014)
As it is stated on web page of Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (n.d.) New Zealand national
priorities in health and safety to 2015 include:
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
• Respiratory disease – that includes disease caused by dust, vapour, gases etc.;
• Injuries caused by workplace vehicle. It could be excavator, tractor or any other vehicle;
• Musculoskeletal injuries and disease caused by manual activities such as works related with
pulling, lifting and shifting objects
• Slips, trips and falls commonly appear because of untidy work place. For construction industry
one of the most common causes of death is falls from heights.
• Psychosocial work factors such as aggression at work. These factors may lead to stress based
disorders chronic fatigue, drug abuse etc.
• Vulnerable workers that are more sensitive to work-related injuries and diseases. This type of
workers includes new workers, migrants, low literacy etc.
• Small business is characterized by unwilling to manage health and safety, thus it need more
attention for controlling and regulation.
Based on statistic in construction health and safety area the following risks are selected for further analysis
and management:
The other reason of selecting these particular hazards is different natures of their occurrence. Thus for
fallings it is human factor, for asbestos – materials, and for excavation – engineering solutions quality.
Hazards costs
Statistics of health and safety claims costs in Christchurch and New Zealand show steady decreasing in
whole New Zealand, whenever in Christchurch there is a light increasing trend. The average cost of claim
in Canterbury region in June 2013 was equal to $1,846 (Accident Compensation Corporation, 2014).
According to BRANZ ltd (2014) new law will replace Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and
there is a statement that new law will make managers and CEO more responsible for workers’ safety and
health management. Penalties for breaking law have tendency to grow.
Financial cost for company in case of injury claim can vary. Thus
on 8 February 2013 Ebert Construction was charged for $62,750
including $29,000 of reparations and $33,750 of penalty for
accident that happened with its subcontractor’s worker. The Mesothelioma
worker fell five and a half meter height off and broke pelvis and 9.5%
face. It was found that despite Ebert Construction was in charge Pleural disease
for safety on construction site, it did not aware worker about 18.2%
possible hazards and did not make any actions to minimize the Asbestosis
risks (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, 2013). 22.8%
Lung cancer
49.4%
In case of asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer,
asbestosis, pleural abnormalities, other cancers and obstructive
lung disease harm does not appear immediately after exposure,
however, when symptoms become visible it is too late for disease
prevention (WorkSafe NZ, 2014). Main asbestos-related diseases Figure 4 Asbestos-related diseases rates during
the period 1992-2012 (source: Ministry of
rates are shown on figure 4. Business Innovation and Employment (2012a)
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
On 29 July 2004 fatal accident happened with Mr Eagle by collapsed wall of 4.5 meter depth hole that was
excavated for him by Eban Norman Earthmovers Ltd. The company was convicted and charged $12,500
on 30 August 2006.
Hence the amount of compensation have a huge range. Li and Poon (2013) state that accident compensation
has to purposes: compensate economical needs of victim and motivate company to implement proper health
and safety system. New Zealand approach for injury measure includes calculation of direct, indirect and
intangible costs. Table 1 illustrates total cost components according to Goodchild, Sanderson, and Nana
(2002).
Direct Costs
Accident costs $ $ $ $
Medical costs $ $
Non-medical costs $ $ $
Indirect Costs
Absenteeism $ $
Productivity losses:
i) reduced activity/ability $ $
ii) reduced participation $ $
Family worker substitution $
Worker replacement/substitution $
Taxation $
Intangible Costs
Loss of life $ $ $
Loss of life expectancy $ $ $
Loss of quality of life $ $ $
Physical suffering $ $ $
Mental suffering $ $ $
Group of risk
3
Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
Asbestos
Asbestos-related diseases in two thirds of all recorded cases in the Figure 7 Affected person occupation (source:
period 1992-2012 (Figure 8) are linked with carpenter, plumb and Labour & immigration research centre (2012)
electric professions (Ministry of Business Innovation and
Employment, 2012a).
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
Excavation works
There is no statistic of accidents during excavation works within
New Zealand was found in open sources. However, to highlight
the most risky occupation in terms of excavation works statistic of
US is presented on Figure 9. General
Others laborer
36.7% 43.5%
Hence, the most risky group is general laborers. Also there are a
number of victims among plumbers, excavation machine operators Excavation machine
and site supervisors (Centers for disease control and prevention, operators
Supervisors 7.0%
2004). 5.0% Plumber
7.7%
Hazards’ roots
Asbestos
Asbestos is may cause harm when airborne asbestos fibres get into lungs (WorkSafe NZ, 2014). The main
source of asbestos is building materials. Insulation such as sprayed amosite and crocidolite contains the
highest value of asbestos – up to 100. The other materials
with asbestos are: asbestos cement products, friction
products and handling raw asbestos. The most
concentration of asbestos in the air can be found in closed
space during demolishing of asbestos-contaminated
structures (New Zealand demolition and asbestos
association, 2013).
Excavation works
Soil excavation brings unbalance of soil stress and if it is
not compensated properly it can lead to failure of soil. The
common modes of soil failure are presented on Figure 10. Figure 10 Soil failure modes (source: Department of
labour, 2000)
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
The most common practice for preventing soil failure is construction of shoring systems. Thus, the quality
of these systems has impact on hazard risks.
Toxic and explosive gases are another source of hazards for excavation participant. There numerous
dangerous gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and dioxide, natural gas, steam,
sulfur dioxide, etc. can be found in different types of ground (Department of labour, 2000).
Although experienced excavation operator can identify risks the design of shoring is engineering problem
and it should take into account structural design and soil mechanics. There is no universal solution and
engineering solution is required for each particular situation (Department of labour, 2000). Summarizing
roots of potential failure can be either in poor engineering decisions or in inadequate attitude of managers
and operators.
Hazards management
• Hazard identification on particular site can be done with walking on site and using checklists, or
by using task analysis (the blank for task analysis is presented in the Appendix 1). Other approaches
implicate analysis of process and investigation of accidents that have happened during similar type
of work.
• Assess the hazard in order to find out the chances of its occasion and rank of harm.
• Hazard control includes hazard elimination, isolation or minimization where elimination is the
most preferable action and minimization is the less one. Wherever it is possible group control
should be preferred against personal controls. Group control systems includes passive protection
that does not need personal activities from workers.
o To eliminate works at height adopted tools can be used, for example long-handled rollers.
Other approach prefabrication when works completed on the ground and after stricter is
lifted on its place.
o Isolation can be completed by using edge protection, scaffolds, or total restraint systems.
o Falling risk minimization can be achieved by using fall arrest system or safety net and bags.
Appendix 2 include guide for equipment selection to isolate of minimize risks of fallings.
• Monitoring should be done regularly in order to supervise hazard control approach utilization and
check its effectiveness. Good practice include participation of senior leaders in HS briefings, safe
work control on the site, interacting with laborers and modelling safe behavior.
• Documentation implicates recording of planning and communication processes with all persons
who have access to construction site and potentially in risk group
Asbestos
According to New Zealand demolition and asbestos association (2013) asbestos hazards can be managed
as following:
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
Excavation works
Management of excavation work hazards is regulated by approved code of practice for safety. It includes
following approach for excavation hazards management (Department of labour, 2000):
Ecotec ltd. (2005) presents factors that are on the way of successful implementation of HS:
• Lack of understanding of health and safety system importance. Although management is aware
about it, in some cases they do not pay much attention before accident have occurred.
• Uncertainty in legislation also can be an obstacle. However, Ministry of business, innovation and
employment provides industry with a lot of guide and legacy explanation. The main statement for
health and safety guides – “Doing nothing not an option”.
• Attitude of employers and employees is also a significant factor that may either facilitate or
complicate health and safety actions. All H&S plans and policies should be considered and taken
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
seriously by all stakeholders. The internal culture within organization has huge impact on health
and safety.
• Time and cost limits also can be considered as a barrier. Thus in circumstance of tight deadline
there is no time for staff training, and if organization is tend to cut down expenses that is not
straightly linked with business bad quality or none safety equipment may be purchased.
Recommendations
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 2013) sets responsibilities on employer for health and safety at
work place. It states that “all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work” must be
taken. It means that employer must regularly identify hazards, determine its significance and either
eliminate, isolate or minimize risks. The suggested cycle for continuous approval includes hazard
identification, assessment, control, monitoring and documentation.
However, the first step for tracking hazards is assessment of current HS system within the company.
In order to assess the health and safety strengths and weaknesses self-awareness tool can be used (Appendix
5). This tool is provided by Canterbury rebuild safety charter (n.d.) (Charter). Charter is an arrangement
between government and leading Canterbury companies in health and safety that is aimed to facilitate
standard implementation within Christchurch rebuilding.
The assessment tool includes ten commitments, namely: leadership, engagement and consultation, critical
risks, site safety risks, reporting, training, site induction, personal protective equipment, impairment and
health and wellbeing. The completed form can be sent to Navigatus (k.oldham@navigatusconsulting.com)
in order to compare company’s results with others. The results of the assessment would not be shared with
any authority, either Worksafe New Zealand or Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).
Appendix 6 includes the hazard handler for assessment particular hazards that was examined in the paper.
This tool is provided by Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (2014) and helps to improve
health and safety management in the workplace, however it does not guarantee satisfying of Health & Safety
in Employment Act 1992.
After self-assessment and practicable improvement of company HS system the next step is HS audit. For
this purposes the list of all authorized auditors of New Zealand can be found via the following link:
http://www.acc.co.nz/for-business/small-medium-and-large-business/how-to-pay-less/BUS00056. These
auditors are funded by ACC and the audit is free for companies.
Further actions must be developed according to results of hazards assessment on particular project, and HS
audit within the company.
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Assignment 1. Health and Safety in Construction/
Management in the Construction Industry/
MCM 2014. AUT School of Engineering
Reference list
Accident Compensation Corporation. (2014). June 2014 ACC Canterbury dashboard summary.
Retrieved from http://www.acc.co.nz/preventing-injuries/communities/canterbury-
dashboard/WPC118788
BRANZ ltd. (2014). Health and Safety. Retrieved 11 August, 2014, from
http://www.level.org.nz/health-and-safety/
Canterbury rebuild safety charter. (n.d.). Self-awareness tool. ver# 01a.
Centers for disease control and prevention. (2004). Occupational Fatalities During Trenching
and Excavation Work - United States, 1992-2001. Retrieved 11 August, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5315a2.htm
Department of labour. (2000). Approved code of practice for safety in excavation and shafts for
foundation. Wellington, New Zealand: Occupational Safety and Health Service.
Dyson, H. R. (2005). Workplace health and safety strategy for New Zealand to 2015
Ecotec ltd. (2005). Obstacles preventing worker involvment in health and safety.
Goodchild, M., Sanderson, K., & Nana, G. (2002). Measuring the total cost of injury in New
Zealand: a review of alternative cost methodology. Wellington, New Zealand.
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. (2013). Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand
government.
Labour & immigration research centre. (2012). Falling short in workplace safety. An analysis of
falls in the construction sector (Report No. 978-0-478-39120-6). Wellington, New
Zealand
Li, R. Y. M., & Poon, S. W. (2013). Construction safety. New York: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. (2012a). Asbestos and other occupational
lung diseas in New Zealand: 2012 annual report.
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. (2012b). Best practice guidelines for working
at height in New Zealand.
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. (2013). Worker’s fall costs company $62,750.
Retrieved 10 August, 2014, from http://www.dol.govt.nz/News/Media/2013/workers-fall-
costs-company.asp
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. (2014). Hazard Handler. Construction.
Retrieved from http://www.dol.govt.nz/onlinetools/hazard.asp
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment. (n.d.). Workplace health and safety strategy
for New Zealand to 2015. Retrieved 9 August, 2014, from
http://www.dol.govt.nz/whss/strategy/section4.asp#4
New Zealand demolition and asbestos association. (2013). Asbestos - New Zealand guidelines
for the management and removal of asbestos (3rd Edition).
WorkSafe NZ. (2014). Health risks from asbestos exposure (Information sheet).
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Appendix 1. Task analysis form (retrieved from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (2012b)
SIGNAGE REQUIRED
STEP List the steps required to HZD List the potential SIGNIFICANT hazards E/l/M List the control methods required to
NO complete the job. (Follow the NO beside each step. Focus on what can ELIMINATE, ISOLATE or MINIMISE
flow of the product or the cause harm and what can go wrong. each SIGNIFICANT hazard.
process.)
10
Appendix 2 Falls from height control equipment selection framework (retrieved from Ministry of Business Innovation and
Employment (2012b)
11
Appendix 3. Asbestos protection equipment selection (retrieved from New Zealand demolition and
asbestos association, 2013)
Filter Type
Work Required
(where
Procedure Respirator
applicable)
Simple enclosure erection
for containing undamaged
Disposable half face-piece particulate respirators
asbestos materials to
Or P2
prevent damage - no direct
Half face-piece , particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
handling but possible
disturbance of asbestos
Inspection of the condition
of any installed friable Disposable half face-piece particulate respirators
asbestos, which appears in Or P2
poor condition or has been Half face-piece, particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
disturbed
Sampling material for the Disposable half face-piece particulate respirators
purpose of identifying Or P2
asbestos Half face-piece, particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
For work with asbestos
Disposable half face-piece particulate respirators
cement (fibro) (hand
Or P2
drilling and sawing, for
Half face-piece, particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
example) *
Disposable half face-piece particulate respirators
For work with asbestos
Or P2
based friction materials *
Half face-piece, particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
For the removal of non
Disposable half face-piece particulate respirators
friable asbestos (asbestos
Or P2
cement and ceiling tiles, for
Half face-piece, particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
example)
Maintenance work in the
vicinity of installed
asbestos insulation - no Full face-piece particulate filter, cartridge respirator P3
direct handling but possible
disturbance of asbestos
Full face-piece particulate filter (cartridge) powered
respirator
Extensive sample
Or
operations on friable P3
Full face-piece positive pressure demand air line respirator
asbestos
Or
Full suit or hood continuous flow air line respirator
Maintenance work Full face-piece particulate filter (cartridge) powered
involving the removal of respirator
small quantities of asbestos Or
P3
(replacement of asbestos Full face-piece positive pressure demand air line respirator
gaskets and insulation, for Or
example) Full suit or hood continuous flow air line respirator
12
Certain forms of dry
stripping (asbestos vinyl
Full face-piece or half face-piece powered air purifying
floor tiles, bituminous
particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
products containing
Or P3
asbestos [such as malthoid],
Full face-piece positive pressure demand air line respirator
for example); ineffective
NO LESSER RESPIRATOR WILL SUFFICE
wet stripping (light wetting,
no time given to saturate)
Full face-piece or half face-piece powered air purifying
particulate filter (cartridge) respirator
Dry stripping in confined
Or P3
areas
Full face-piece positive pressure demand airline respirator
NO LESSER RESPIRATOR WILL SUFFICE
13
Appendix 4. Excavation works planning questionnaire (retrieved from Department of labour, 2000)
Question Answer
1. What underground/overhead services
are in the vicinity?
14
Appendix 5 Self-awareness tool (retrieved from Canterbury rebuild safety charter)
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to
meet the Charter
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate
action or what you are doing to build
capacity/capability.
1 Leadership
1.a Does the organisation have a safety leadership programme?
Are senior leaders actively involved in leadership activities such as safety
1.a.i
leadership walks, and safety conversations?
Are expectations of safety behaviours at all levels of the organisation/company
1.a.ii
documented?
1.a iii Other demonstration of safety leadership?
2 Engagement and Consultation
2.a Is there an active worker participation system?
If so does the worker participation system include any of the following optional elements?
2.a.i Are workers involved in hazard identification and management?
2.a.ii Are workers elected to act as health and safety representatives?
Are workers elected as health and safety representatives participating fully on
2.a.iii
Health and Safety committees?
Are processes in place for ensuring regular and cooperative interaction between
2.a.iv
the employer and workers on health and safety matters?
Is a process in place for managing worker engagement when there is more than
2.a.v
one business or agency operating on a site or in a project?
2.a.vi Is the process reviewed?
For information on how to use this tool please see the user guide: CLICK HERE
15
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to
meet the Charter
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate
action or what you are doing to build
capacity/capability.
3 Critical Risks
3.a Are all critical-risk work activities identified and effectively managed?
3.b. Are the following policies and procedures in place, where applicable?
For ensuring that all activities requiring notification and certified qualification (as
3.b.i Where applicable.
outlined in legislation) are followed?
3.b.ii For working at height? Where applicable.
3.b.iii For working in confined spaces? Where applicable.
3.b.iv For working with electricity? Where applicable.
3.b.v For working with asbestos? Where applicable.
3.b.vi For working on excavations? Where applicable.
3.b.vii For mobile plant and machinery (vehicles)? Where applicable.
3.b.viii For hot works? Where applicable.
3.b.ix For workplace violence? Where applicable.
16
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to meet
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate the Charter
action or what you are doing to build capacity/capability.
4 Site Safety Risks
Are functional Site-specific Safety Plans including, where appropriate, Traffic
4.a
Management Plans and Environmental Plans used?
4.b Do contractors complete and maintain a plan for each site which covers:
4.b.i Project prestart and Toolbox meetings?
4.b.ii A maintained hazard register?
4.b.iii A current training and competency register.
4.b.iv Job Safety Analysis/Task Analysis?
4.b.v Notifiable works?
4.b.vi A Toolbox meeting attendance register?
4.b.vii Permits to work?
4.b.viii An emergency management plan?
4.b.ix Indications of secure boundaries and points of entry (where applicable)?
4.c Are systems in place to ensure contractors are appropriately prequalified?
Does this system meet standards set out in the Ministry of Business,
4.c.i Innovation and Employment’s guidance document: A principal’s guide to
contracting to meet the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992?
Are sites isolated appropriately to reduce the risk of unexpected or unwanted
4.d
access?
17
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to meet
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate the Charter
action or what you are doing to build capacity/capability.
5 Reporting
Are systems in place for the accurate reporting and recording of all incidents,
5
accidents, near misses and hazards?
If so, do these systems include the following lead and lag indicators:
Lead indicators
5.a.i Safety meetings (toolbox, pre start etc.)?
5.a.ii Audits and inspections (internal and external)?
5.a.iii Job Safety Analysis/Task Analysis?
5.a.iv Safety talks?
5.a.v Near miss incidents?
Accredited health and safety systems (such as ACC – Work Safety
5.a.vi Management Practices, Workplace Safety Discount, Partnership Programme,
and Site Safe Charter -Tier 3)?
Lag indicators
5.b.i Fatalities?
5.b.i Lost time injuries?
5.b.i Medical treatment injuries?
5.b.i First aid injuries?
5.b.i Serious harm injuries?
18
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to meet
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate the Charter
action or what you are doing to build capacity/capability.
6 Training
6.a Prior to starting work do workers receive basic Health and Safety training on:
6.a.i Safety principles and legislation?
6.a.ii Hazard identification and the hierarchy of controls?
6.a.iii The relevance of site induction and site-specific safety plans?
6.a.iv High-risk work activity and what safe looks like for relevant tasks?
6.a.v Promoting positive safety behaviour and culture?
6.a.vi The consequences of poor health and safety practices?
Prior to starting work do workers receive knowledge assessments specific to
6.a.vii
the task e.g. roofer/scaffolder?
6.b Is a training record/matrix or similar maintained for workers?
Are task competency requirements established using task analysis or
6.c
something similar?
Are employees encouraged to participate in health and safety training and are
6.d
they consulted?
Are procedures in place for assessing the competency of workers to ensure
6.e
they perform their task safely and are licensed as appropriate?
6.f Were workers are not supervised, are they qualified to perform their work?
19
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to meet
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate the Charter
action or what you are doing to build capacity/capability.
7 Site Induction
Are contact details of site personnel and visitors recorded when being
7.a.i
inducted on site?
7.a.ii Is there a sign in and sign out procedure in place for visitors to site?
Is information on the site specific safety plan, site hazards, controls and site
7.a.iii
rules provided to all visitors and staff?
Is there a procedure in place for task analysis and reporting of all accidents
7.a.iv
and near miss incidents?
Does the induction process include the recording of any medical conditions
7.a.v
that may impact on visitor or staff safety or the safety of others?
Is information given to visitors and staff on the site emergency plan, site
7.a.vi
layout, safety data sheets and first aid facilities?
Are relevant safety plans and/or method statements (for all hazards being
7.a.vii
brought onto the site by any person) being collected and/or noted?
7.b Are visitors supervised at all times?
8 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
8 Has a PPE/PPC Risk assessment process been completed?
8.a Where identified in the risk assessment, all staff are wearing the required PPE such as:
8.a.i Hard hat (including for residential projects unless otherwise specified)? Where applicable.
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CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to meet
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate the Charter
action or what you are doing to build capacity/capability.
9 Impairment
9.a Does the organisation have a Drug and Alcohol policy?
Is there a commitment to work with employees, their representatives and
9.a.i
contractors to promote a work environment free from drugs and alcohol?
Is there a programme for employee pre-employment, post-incident, and
reasonable cause drug and alcohol testing through a reputable company,
9.a.ii
occupational nurse or medical professional (testing to comply with
Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 4308:2008)?
Is there a provision to remove anyone from the worksite who is deemed ‘unfit
for work’ or ‘under the influence’, or where the presence of drugs or alcohol is
9.a.iii
in excess of accepted standards (in order to comply with the legal duties
under the HSE Act 1992)?
Is there a provision of drug and alcohol support and rehabilitation assistance
9.a.iv
for employees where appropriate?
Is there a programme to raise awareness and provide training about the
9.a.v
potential harmful effects of drugs and alcohol in the workplace?
9.b Does the organisation have a fatigue management plan?
9.b.i (a) Does the fatigue management plan recognise fatigue as a possible hazard?
9.b.i (b) Has the fatigue management plan been discussed with all persons?
Is there a fatigue management plan which identifies possible work design
9.b.ii
risks (long hours, stress etc.) that may cause fatigue?
Does the fatigue management plan identify where fatigue related impairment
9.b.iii may cause safety risks (e.g. driving, critical task risks such as electrical
work)?
Is information provided to staff on fatigue management such as posters and
9.b.iv
toolbox hand-outs?
Does the fatigue management ensure appropriate counselling services are
9.b.v
available for all staff?
21
CANTERBURY REBUILD SAFETY CHARTER SELF-AWARENESS TOOL VER#01b .
Self Assessment Rating : 0 = not applicable 1 = need further assistance 2 = developing capability/capacity 3 = yes, achieved
Examples: Give examples of what you are doing to meet
No. Assessment Criteria/Question Rate the Charter
action or what you are doing to build capacity/capability.
10 Health and Wellbeing
Is education and information about health risks associated with work tasks
10.a.i
and activity provided to all staff undertaking those tasks and activities?
Are education and operational procedures in place for injury management
10.a.ii
(roles and responsibilities defined)?
Is there evidence that monitoring for known significant hazards, such as dust
10.a.iii
and noise is taking place?
10.a.iv Is health monitoring where there is a risk of exposure being carried out?
10.a.v Is an annual influenza vaccination programme provided?
10.a.vi Is an employees’ assistance programme provided?
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Appendix 6 Hazard handler (retrieved from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (2014)
SECTION B - SPECIFIC HAZARDS
Working at Heights
Falls from height kill and injure more people in construction than anything else. Workers fall off ladders, scaffolds, elevated working platforms (cherry pickers and scissor
lifts), through fragile roofs and uncovered openings, as well as from unprotected edges. Other people can also be struck by falling objects dislodged or dropped from
above.
Question Eliminate, Action taken to Hints Last Next
Isolate or manage hazard review review
Minimise?
Before starting any work at E, I or M When assessing the risk of a fall, consider:
height, an assessment of Is there an alternative to working at a height
falling risk should be made. The possibility of falling objects
How do you assess the risk Identifying where and how a worker might fall
of a fall? Overhead hazards
Weather
Working on a roof can E, I or M Protect openings and edges, including gables
include risks such as Protect or fence fragile surfaces and skylights
sloping or fragile surfaces. Be aware of potential damage or decay of original surfaces
How do you assess the risk Always consider the slope and potential total fall distance from a roof
of a fall while working on a
roof?
What do you consider E, I or M Ladders are only for access - they are not working platforms
before deciding if a ladder Ensure the slope ratio is 4:1 and the ladder is secured in place
is suitable work equipment Never use domestic grade ladders
and that it will be used Maintain ladders in good condition
safely?
What factors do you E, I or M Power-operated work platforms such as cherry pickers, scissor lifts or power
consider before deciding if hoists are specialised pieces of equipment often designed for particular types of
an elevated working operation. When using an elevated work platform:
platform is suitable work It is essential that the correct type of machine is selected for the intended work
equipment and that it will The operator is trained to operate that particular type of elevating work platform
be used safely? Do not exceed the manufacturer's loading limitations
Do not operate outside the manufacturer's limits for slope and ground loading
Never drive while elevated unless specifically allowed by the manufacturer for
your current environment
Always use a trained and competent operator
Be aware of overhead hazards and fixed structure crushing risks
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Scaffolding is often needed E, I or M The scaffold must be erected by a competent person
to allow work to be If it is over 5m (or a special scaffold), the scaffold must be erected by a ticketed
completed safely, but it scaffolder
brings its own risks to the Inspect and maintain a scaffold throughout its life on site
worksite. Outline how you Examine a scaffold after adverse weather, damage or any change of use or
ensure your scaffolding is alteration of the scaffold
safe during its time on your
site.
Scaffolding will often be E, I or M Workers and material in any one scaffold bay does not exceed the maximum
used to store work loading, e.g. light-duty live loading
materials during Materials are evenly distributed on the scaffold
construction. How do you Care is taken that materials are arranged so they cannot be knocked off the
know the safe weight of scaffold or cause a tripping hazard.
materials that can be stored
on a scaffold and how do
you control platform
loadings?
Using a safety harness can E, I or M Ensure that workers are trained and competent in the use of fall arrest equipment
be very dangerous. How do Ensure your workers know how to fit their harnesses
you decide if a harness Ensure they know the limitations of their harnesses
should be used and how do Harnesses are a poor control in fall arrest mode
you ensure it is used safely? If using in fall arrest mode, ensure you know the total fall distance
If using in fall arrest mode, ensure the anchor point is suitable
Ensure you have a rescue plan in place and practise it regularly
For more information refer to the Guidelines for the Prevention of Falls , Best
Practice Guideline for Scaffolding in New Zealand and the Preventing Falls
from Height.
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Excavations
Risks during excavations can include cave-ins, falls and exposure to hazardous atmospheres. To determine the extent of the hazards, you need to consider the stability of
the soil, the presence of water, proximity of underground services, static or dynamic loads that are close by and ground vibration.
Question Eliminate, Action taken to Hints Last Next
Isolate or manage hazard review review
Minimise?
An excavation creates a E, I or M Conduct daily inspections
major site hazard. What If possible, eliminate the need to enter
steps do you take to ensure Shore, bench or batter back walls
the excavation you create is Plan for spoil
as safe as possible? Plan for plant and vehicle movements
Ensure supervision
Never work alone
For a brief summary about safety and the Health & Safety in Employment
Regulations 1995 relating to excavations, refer to Construction Bulletin No.19
- 'What's Wrong with this Picture?'.
Excavations shallower than E, I or M All excavations, no matter what depth, may be hazardous. Modes of failure will
1.5m have been known to depend on any or all of the following:
collapse. What do you The depth
consider when deciding The soil type or soil types if layered
whether or not to shore a Bedding planes
trench? Vibration
The presence of moisture
Rain, or a high water table level
Any superimposed loading close to the edge of the excavation
The time the excavation is open
Any previous disturbance of the soil
Excavations may be part of E, I or M Fencing, supplemented with signs, barriers, lights, markers or sentries may be
the site for a period of time. necessary to provide protection for the public and workers.
How do you ensure that Hazardous atmosphere may need to be considered within the excavation.
excavations remain safe? Where an excavation is likely to collect water to a hazardous depth, the
excavation must be fenced-off or covered during times when employees are not
present.
Excavations, including shoring and underpinning, must be examined before
work starts each day, and after rain or following any occurrence that could affect
the stability of an excavated face.
Shoring members should be checked for tightness against each other and against
the soil face.
A daily record should be kept of examinations made, conditions found and of
precautions and actions taken.
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In all excavations, the safety of faces and fillings often depends on the
effectiveness of the control of surface and ground water. These can be
controlled by constructing drains or installing well pointing or sump pumps.
Seek advice from a chartered engineer about soil conditions and stability.
For more information refer to the Approved Code of Practice for Excavation
and Shafts for Foundations.
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Substances Hazardous to Health
A substance that is hazardous to health is any substance, or product containing a substance, that you are exposed to in the workplace which is known to or suspected to
cause death or harm.
Question Eliminate, Action taken to Hints Last Next
Isolate or manage hazard review review
Minimise?
Demolition or renovation E, I or M Substances could include dust or fumes generated from:
of old buildings could Fibre cement sheeting
expose you and your staff Insulation material
to harmful substances. MDF board
How do you manage this Asbestos
risk? Solvents, thinners and cleaners
Paint and primers
Welding equipment
Exhaust fumes from petrol motors, e.g. generators.
It is important that your E, I or M Obtain Safety Data Sheets from the manufacturer / supplier of materials you are
staff recognise hazardous working with to understand the hazards associated with that harmful substance
substances and the possible and the appropriate methods of managing those hazards.
symptoms of exposure. Assess your workers' exposure to those harmful substances.
What information do you Seek advice and put in place suitable control measures and ensure they are
have available on effective.
hazardous substances? Inform your workers of the hazards in working with the harmful substances they
are working with.
It may not be possible to Train your workers in the safe and effective use of the controls to manage those
eliminate all hazards on- hazards. For example, always ensure that:
site and sometimes you will personal protective equipment is suitable for the environment and the worker
be relying on personal the user is trained in its use
protective equipment to equipment is used correctly
minimise a hazard. What equipment is well maintained
health monitoring do you equipment is clean
do to ensure the personal equipment is stored correctly.
protective equipment is
providing appropriate Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, some
protection? substances require that the workers using them are Approved Handlers. For
more information refer to the Environmental Protection Authority website.
27
example, monitoring the health of workers handling asbestos may include chest
x-rays and lung function tests.
28