Multimedia Investments Ltd
Auto Added by WPeMatico
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Read our August 2024 energy safety business update.
In this issue:
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Photovoltaic (PV) solar systems are a rapidly growing industry in New Zealand, with the installation of both grid-connected and stand-alone systems.
WorkSafe recommends using a registered electrician to install PV systems. This is because homeowners installing a PV system themselves without the proper experience or knowledge could cause fires and electric shocks. And some PV systems are not suitable for New Zealand and should not be installed.
DIYers are limited to which PV systems they can install themselves lawfully by the voltage it uses. Systems that involve voltages exceeding 50V AC or 120V ripple-free DC require a registered electrician to install them. If parts of the PV system involve 230V terminations this also requires an electrician.
The use of ECP51 (homeowner/occupier’s electrical wiring work in domestic installations) does not cover work on PV systems. More information on what ECP51 covers can be found in the electrical codes of practice.
For systems involving battery storage, consideration should be given to how these types of systems are installed, along with the location of the batteries. Some battery systems can produce flammable gases, so following the correct installation requirements is critical to prevent injuries and property damage.
There are different standards for grid-connected and stand-alone PV systems. It is important to use the right standard/s for the PV system being installed:
An important warning for anyone with a PV system is that if they have a problem with their PV system at any time to immediately turn the system off and contact their electrician.
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Read our August 2024 high hazards update.
This edition of the WorkSafe high hazards newsletter covers:
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Guidance making it easier to safely manage and work with asbestos has been published by WorkSafe New Zealand.
Asbestos remains New Zealand’s number one work-related killer, with an estimated 240 people dying each year from preventable asbestos-related diseases.
“Knowing how to identify and manage asbestos safely in homes and buildings is the first step in addressing this issue, which is why it’s important we make asbestos information more accessible for people,” says WorkSafe’s principal advisor asbestos, Rob Birse.
WorkSafe is working closely with industry groups and technical experts to develop the updated guides.
“We have partnered with the industry to deliver targeted asbestos information for specific audiences instead of a one-size-fits-all guidance document. This makes it easier for people to find exactly what they need in a shorter amount of time.”
The first set of WorkSafe’s updated asbestos guidance, now available on our website, is developed for homeowners, commercial and residential landlords, and businesses that come across asbestos.
The guides are a mix of new and updated information, and information that is still relevant from the existing asbestos guidance, including the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).
Further guides specifically for surveyors, removalists, assessors, and tradies are currently in development and are planned for release in 2025/26.
“The ACOP remains in place until all asbestos guidance have been updated. In the meantime, please refer to both the ACOP and updated guidance to ensure you’re applying best practice when working with or near asbestos,” adds Mr Birse.
As the primary work health and safety regulator, WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and workers to meet their health and safety responsibilities. A key part of our influencing role is developing and sharing resources to help businesses and workers ensure work is healthy and safe for everyone.
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
A substandard roller door installation has caught up with an Auckland business, in what WorkSafe says is a tragic consequence of poor workmanship.
It involves a powered roller grille door which fell from its fixings and killed pastor Helen Verry at Church Unlimited in Glendene in January 2022. The 44-year-old had been trying to close the door by pulling the hand chain, as the motor was not working at the time.
A WorkSafe investigation found the 273-kilogram roller was fixed through a piece of plywood and gib board with coach screws that were too short to properly hold up the weight.
The installer, Scotty Doors Limited, failed to ensure that the appropriate type of fastener was used to secure the roller grille door. More consideration should have been given to the type and length of screw being used, given the presence of the plywood. The length of the screws at one end of the roller door failed to comply with the Building Code, due to the thinness of the plywood.
“Installation is core business for Scotty Doors, and it should have identified that the roller grille door was not installed safely or in compliance with the Building Code,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Steve Kelly.
A registration form signed on behalf of Scotty Doors noted that the roller had been installed in the church lounge and that checks had been completed, including that the door was attached to a solid fixing.
“This case is a stark example of how serious the consequences of poor workmanship can be. If you contribute to unsafe work you will be held to account. Businesses have a responsibility to consider the health and safety of the people who will ultimately be reliant on their product when installing, building, or commissioning structures for use at work,” says Steve Kelly.
The company was prosecuted under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the legislation in place at the time of the March 2009 installation. A similar failure occurring today would be subject to much tougher penalties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Read how the Building Code applies to commercial and industrial roller doors(external link)
For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively, you can:
Phone: 021 823 007 or
Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Our electrical and gas accidents annual report for 2023 is now available. It analyses trends and highlights risks from electrical and gas accidents.
During 2023, 7 notifiable and 10 non-notifiable accidents in New Zealand were reported to WorkSafe’s Energy Safety team, comprising:
Since 1993, electrical and gas (natural and LPG) accidents in New Zealand have been analysed according to high-risk groups to provide information about trends, frequency, common causes and severity.
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
A traumatic brain injury suffered by a Taranaki worker has led to the first sentencing of a consultancy under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Safe Business Solutions (SBS) consultants gave paid health and safety advice to the employer of Grant Bowling, who was knocked unconscious by the bucket of an agricultural vehicle in August 2020. He suffered two brain bleeds, permanent loss of taste and smell, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
SBS had identified a “desperate need” for a traffic management plan and had undertaken to provide one, but hadn’t done so by the time of the collision six months later. A WorkSafe investigation found no steps were taken to manage the risks of uncontrolled traffic, aside from a small sign about speed at the entrance.
“In this case, the consultants offered active and ongoing management of health and safety risks, but did not deliver work they said they would,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Paul West.
“One-way systems, clear separation between vehicles and people, designated crossing points, and speed bumps are measures which could have avoided the incident and the very serious consequences Mr Bowling still lives with.”
WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses and organisations to manage their health and safety risks to keep workers safe. If they do not manage these risks, we hold them responsible.
“Businesses paying for specialist health and safety advice need to know both they and their consultants have responsibilities under the law. You need the right consultant helping in the right way to get the right outcomes for workers,” says Paul West.
The Health and Safety Association (HASANZ) is the source of professionals who can give expert advice.
Read about the 2022 sentencing in this case
Read WorkSafe’s guidelines on managing workplace traffic
Find an advisor on the Health and Safety Association register(external link)
For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively, you can:
Phone: 021 823 007 or
Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
WorkSafe is urging rural New Zealand to refocus on the risk of quad bike roll-overs, which have tragically killed four farmers across the country in the past three weeks.
WorkSafe is investigating all four fatalities, the first of which occurred on 18 July in Wairarapa. It was followed by another on 22 July in Canterbury, one on 26 July in Southland, and most recently in Northland on 30 July. All four incidents coincided with the start of lambing and calving season.
“Our sympathy is with every family and community mourning these sudden deaths. Although our investigations are in their early stages, the trend is worrying enough for us to sound the alarm already,” says WorkSafe principal inspector Graham Bates.
“Doing a risk assessment of your terrain and tasks must be the top priority before getting on a quad bike. This is a time of year when we are experiencing variable weather and growth, and variable ground conditions. Sloped surfaces and steep terrain can be especially problematic and have sadly been a factor in some of the recent cases.”
Farm vehicle incidents are one of the top two causes of workplace deaths in Aotearoa, which is why agriculture is a priority sector under WorkSafe’s new strategy. We are targeting the biggest risks and working with the sector to improve health and safety in agriculture.
“Farming consists of a never-ending list of tasks and constant reprioritisation. However, we cannot let those challenges contribute to loss of life or injury. The people with the most power to influence this are those on the ground each day doing the work,” says WorkSafe’s Graham Bates.
Our recommendations for reducing the risks of harm on farm include:
Read WorkSafe’s guidelines on safe use of quad bikes
For more information you can contact our Media Team using our media request form. Alternatively, you can:
Phone: 021 823 007 or
Email: media@worksafe.govt.nz
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Read our August 2024 work-related health update.
In this edition:
Source: Worksafe New Zealand
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden has announced three new appointments to the Board of WorkSafe New Zealand.
Elena Trout, Kevin Jenkins and Paul Connell have been appointed for a term of three years and fill vacant positions.