NEWSLETTER

 

Welcome to Edition 74 of this newsletter.

It is my intention to update the newsletter regularly to provide you with the latest Health and Safety headlines and what it all means for you.

As a sideline I will try and keep you updated with an accurate report of the state of the Trout and Salmon fishery and any related fishing matters. I have also included a section of motorbikes for those who may be interested.

I have attached this comment from one of my clients – Cochrane Bros in Ashburton.

“Thanks Leigh – good to deal with someone who is on the same wave length.

Regards Merv ”

I welcome any feedback or comments and look forward to hearing from you.

Enjoy.

 

FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE

 

 WE REMAIN OPEN. OUR BUSINESS IS UNINTERRUPTED FROM THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKES.

 

Quad Bikes

 

There is now legal precedent on the issue of quad bike safety liability.  A judge has warned rural employers that if they are letting employees drive quad bikes without proper training and helmets they will be found to have a high element of blame if an accident was to occur. 

 

We have been strongly advocating the use of helmets on quad bikes in the work environment for a long time now and this is the advice we give to all our clients.

The DOL continues its focus in this regard and over the Christmas break and up to the end of January there have been several serious accident involving these machines.

 

All employers should be aware that the requirement under the act for them to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees means that they must pass the test of what is considered to be best practice.

The new quad bike guidelines are considered to be best practice as are a wide variety of other industry related guidelines.

 

If you would like to know more about guidelines and codes of practice and their relationship to the act give us a call.

 

 

How much value do you put on your time?

 

Yes you can develop your own Health and Safety system, compile your own policy and hazards registers, but how much do you value your time?

 

There are organisations out there that offer templates to you at a cheaper cost but they require you to identify your own hazards and do all the ground work including managing contractors and putting the correct wording in the safety manual.

 

You will usually find that if you research the small print line on these websites there is a footnote added saying that they “strongly advise you to seek professional/legal advice if you are unsure of your legal obligations”

 

Are you sure of all your legal obligations?  After you have done all the hard work using a cheap generic template can you be sure if you have covered all your bases!  Can you be sure it will work efficiently for you?

 

The alternative that we offer may suit you better on all counts. Call us toll free or contact us directly from this website.

 

 

If an earthquake occurs:

 

• Do not rush outside
• Move away from windows and storage racks
• If possible shelter under a desk, stand in a doorway or lie beside a solid structure and hold on.    
• Your first priority is to ensure your own safety.
• Evacuate only when it is safe to do so.
• Make your way to the assembly area.    

 

The 3 step rule when an earthquake happens

 

• Find shelter
• Protect yourself
• Evacuate when it is safe to do so

 

Do not remove any unconscious or seriously injured victims unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

Stay by them and send for help.

Give first aid to the injured.  

 

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (DOL)

 

Action plans are being produced for the six high risk employment sectors.

 

They are in place for the Construction sector and the Forestry sector.

A draft consultation action plan is also out for the Agricultural sector.

 

Some of the main points include:

• 3 Year project aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities at work
• Construction industry now has the highest statistics (34%) for fatalities
• Falls and being hit by something are the main causes in the Construction sector along with electricity
• Seeking industry cooperation

 

In addition the DOL are re writing the rules around safe working at heights. Forget the old three metre rule. It never applied anyway.

 

The DOL acknowledge that the way the Regulations were worded that they implied that below three metres you didn’t need fall arrest systems in place.

 

They have long ago admitted this and have clearly stated that wherever there is a risk of fall and injury “regardless of height” then fall prevention measures must be put in place.

 

It is a statistical fact that most serious fall injuries occur at about 2.5 metres which is ladder height.

I think the new heights rules will focus on the area from 1 metre to 3 metres so it will be interesting to see what comes about.

 

 If you are in one of the six industry groups listed below you should qualify for a 10% ACC levy discount. It is a good incentive to put a safety plan in place if you fall within one of these groups.

An acknowledged weakness of the scheme is the length and complexity of the application form which has led to many smaller companies not bothering but it is free and worth persevering with.

I complete lots of theses forms for my clients these days as I have found it is the easiest way to ensure that they apply and gain admission to the scheme. So if you are interested I am happy to answer any questions regarding the scheme or eligibility for it.

The scheme applies to most contractors working in the construction and rural sectors.

To participate you must:

• Employ 10 or less full time equivalent employees.
• Have a wage bill of no more than $495,000.00.
• Be able to show that you have a safety system in place that includes hazard identification and management, injury and accident investigation, emergency readiness and a training regime in place.
• Allow a possible site audit by an approved ACC auditor

 

The six industry groups are:

• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Construction
• Road freight transport and waste management
• Motor trades
• In shore fishing

 

REMEMBER – HEALTH AND SAFETY IS NOT A LUXURY IN TODAY’S WORKPLACE, IT IS A NECESSITY.

 

MOTORBIKES

Two rallies have been completed. The Burt Munro and theWoodstockrally near Hokitika.

The scott oiler is now fine tuned and delivering the correct amount to the chain.  Be warned though if you get the delivery amount set to high it spreads oil in all directions.

I found this out on the way to the Burt Munro.

 Both rallies were excellent although the weather down south was awful. We were fortunate to have the use of an on site marquee which we hired and were able to use it to keep out of the rain and wind  when socialising.

 

 

FISHING

 

Fishing news

 

What a great whitebait season. Plenty about and I was still seeing large shoals all through December.

 

The salmon have returned, not in large numbers, but in outstanding condition. Low and very clear rivers hampered attempts to hook them though but I have had some success in this regard using very light gear. (my trout spinning rod and reel)

The surf has looked very inviting for days on end but has not produced many fish, just the odd one or two.

 

I think the season is really just getting underway though and we should see greater numbers of fish returning soon

As always I remain optimistic.

Please contact me

By phone 0800 313 912, 0274 365 972 or (03) 313 9114 or (03) 303 7807

By Fax 03 313 4271

By E mail at leigh@healthandsafetysystems.co.nz

Or visit my web site at www.healthandsafetysystems.co.nz