Health & Safety

Roading New Zealand first introduced the practical application of industry self governance in the health and safety area with the Operate Safe regime. This was in response to amendments made to requirements under the Health & Safety in Employment Act, 2002 and development of the Government’s Workplace Health and Safety Strategy.

However, following discussions between representatives from the four main sectors of industry - civil, commercial, residential and trades - it was agreed to establish the New Zealand Safety Council (CSC) in order to remove fragmentation in the industry. The Council was formally launched in May 2011 with the objective of making it easier for the whole of industry to work together in improving industrial health and safety.

The CSC is made up of two representatives from each industry sector and its Terms of Reference can be found by clicking here. The two civil representatives are Cos Bruyn, Chair of Roading New Zealand and Dave Jewel, President of NZ Contractors' Federation. Chris Olsen and Jeremy Sole, CEOs of Roading NZ and NZCF respectively, attend Council meetings as observers.

At its meeting on 18 July, 2011 the CSC approved (subject to some minor changes) an H & S Competency framework for endorsing individual training (click here to view). The CSC is about to engage a project manager to develop this framework as per page 5 of the document. To fund this project manager the CSC will be seeking funding from Government, builders and contractors.

For more details about the CSC, and other health and safety news, download the H&S Update Bulletin (July 2011) from here.

Physical Works Health Check and Capability Review, October 2010