Welcome to Edition 63 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.

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 MY PERSPECTIVE

We are moving into a new and bigger office in Rangiora. We have simply outgrown the space we currently use and a premises with a higher public profile will suit us better. We take over the new office on the 1st July and I will post some photos nearer the time.

Heights or at least falls from heights remain at the forefront of DOL concern. Most injuries from heights occur at about 2.7 metres not from 3 metres or more. This is ladder height folks so beware.

The DOL is reviewing the heights rules to make them clearer and to clarify that the so called 3 metre rule no longer exists.

The confusion began as the wording in the regulations indicated that because fall prevention measures needed to be taken when working at a height of 3 metres or more then by default they did not need to be taken when working under 3 metres in height.

Clarification of this and a few other things are long overdue and I commend the DOL for its actions in regard to this matter and others such as the changes to the definition of serious harm which I have outlined later in this news letter.

I am constantly asked about the electrical regulations relating to testing and tagging of electrical equipment. There is a new standard AS/NZS 3760:2003 that outlines the rules in relation to testing and tagging and the timeframes involved. It is too detailed to reproduce here but I am happy to answer any questions you may have relating to this matter.

In addition the  Electrical Safety Regulations 2010 have now come into force. They are directly linked to the standard mentioned earlier (AS/NZS 3760) and means that items must have a current tag to be deemed safe for use.

There are on the spot fines of up to $1000 for anyone who fails an inspection.

I am informed that DOL inspectors have begun the process of checking electrical tags during workplace inspections so take note.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR (DOL)

There have been a number of accidents involving moving machinery and the loss of body parts  caused by people putting hands or fingers into machinery when it needs maintaining or is jammed. In many cases a lack of training has been identified as contributing factor and as a result several large fines have been imposed on companies by the courts.

It might seem like common sense that you don’t reach into moving machinery but is it one of the major causes of serious harm in this country because people do exactly that.

It is really simple. Turn the machine off first – engage your brain! If you turn the machine off it can’t hurt you.

WHAT’S NEW

have not come into legal effect as yet but are likely to in the foreseeable future. The intention of the proposed changes is to clarify the meaning of serious harm to make it easier for employers to understand.

Should you have any questions about what constitutes serious harm please contact me as soon as possible.

Serious harm, for the purposes of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, means death, or:

1. Trauma injury

Physical incapacity caused by an accident or event and leading to:

(a) permanent loss of bodily function (including from any amputation of body part); or

(b) a person being unable to perform their normal duties for a period of 7 or more calendar days.

2. Acute illness or injury

Acute illness or injury requiring treatment by a medical practitioner, or any loss of consciousness, caused by:

(a) lack of oxygen; or

(b) absorption, inhalation, or ingestion of any hazardous substance; or

(c) contact with any electrical, combustible, or mechanical energy source; or

(d) a fall from one height to another.

3. Chronic or serious occupational illness or injury

Physical or mental harm:

(a) resulting in hospital admission for more than 24 hours; or

(b) requiring in-patient surgery; or

 (c) diagnosed and confirmed as caused by exposure to a workplace hazard, by a medical practitioner who is a registered specialist operating within the appropriate scope of practice.

The DOL has produced a new guide to workplace first aid. It’s called “First Aid For Workplaces – A Good Practice Guide”. It in effect makes it compulsory for at least one trained first aider to be present in the workplace. Copies can be downloaded form the DOL website directly from the home page and I recommend you get one and have a read through it. First aid must now form part of the hazard management process.

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 $450,000.00.
• 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
• Motor trades
• In shore fishing

I am happy to answer any questions regarding the scheme or eligibility for it.

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

MOTORBIKES

This section is included because it may provide some helpful information for bike riders.

I have decided to sell the Hornet. It is difficult to do justice to two large modern road bikes. This has been a decision I have postponed for some time as I really have enjoyed this bike.

Someone should get a bargain. The asking price is $5,500. not bad for a 2004 machine with only 33,000 Km . I am happy to answer any enquiries you may have about the bike.

The Ducati has just returned me form the Brass Monkey rally. Once again an enjoyable but chilly experience. – 4 degrees at the rally site overnight with about 3 inches of snow covering when we arrived.

INSURANCE

Insuring your business for its everyday activities does not need to be complicated either.

For any insurance questions I recommend that you approach 

John Jackson  -  Town and Country Insurance Brokers

Phone      03 342 5646  or  025 6555 499

john@townandcountry.co.nz

FISHING

Hamillls NZ in Christchurch continues to offer great service for all your angling and hunting needs, summer or winter, saltwater or fresh.

Hamills is open seven days a week. Normal trading hours apply Monday to Friday. They are open between 10 am and 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

You can find them at 575 Colombo Street (By South City) or contact them at

03 377 5090.

FISHING NEWS

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