Trans-Tasman work safety campaign a first

Monday 26 April 2004

Workplace safety authorities in New Zealand and Australia have joined forces for the first time to target the biggest killer on Australasian construction sites - falls from heights. Starting this month, the trans-Tasman campaign on construction work at heights will continue for six weeks.

OSH inspectors in every region and inspectors from every Australian state and territory authority will visit 920 housing and small commercial construction sites, including 120 sites in New Zealand. The visits will take place during May.

The focus of the campaign is on the housing sector and smaller commercial and industrial buildings, not high rises. Particular attention will be paid to finish, fit-out and building services installation work.

"People tend to think of falls from heights as being a problem for big construction sites," says OSH National Operations Manager Mike Cosman. "But it's not always a case of the bigger the site the harder the fall. A lot of fall fatalities happen on small construction sites."

In the 12 months from July 2002 to June 2003, five workers fell to their deaths on New Zealand construction sites. In the construction industry, falls from ladders alone are estimated to cost the country $17 million a year.

Mike Cosman says the human cost of injuries through falls on construction sites is enormous. "For every worker who dies there are family, friends and workmates whose lives are devastated.

"By taking a coordinated trans-Tasman approach, we want to drive home the message that these horrific falls are preventable.

"There is no excuse for exposing workers to this risk. Every employer has a legal duty to ensure that any worker required to work at heights can do so safely."

During the campaign, OSH inspectors will check that builders and sub-contractors have identified the falls hazards at their sites, and have put the necessary measures in place to prevent workers from falling. They will distribute appropriate guidance material to assist employers maintain the necessary site controls to effectively manage height safety.

"Compliance and enforcement action will be taken wherever appropriate height safety standards are not being met," says Mike Cosman.

"Inspectors will also be on the lookout for outstanding examples of best practice and innovative solutions to fall hazards, so we can promote these ideas throughout the industry."

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