New Guidelines to Prevent Falls
New guidelines to help prevent workers falling from roofs have been launched in the New Zealand roofing industry.
The Best Practice Guidelines for Working on Roofs were prepared by the Department of Labour in association with the Roofing Association of New Zealand to provide practical guidance to employers, contractors, employees, designers, principals and persons who control a place of work and architects who are involved in work associated with roofing. [Wcx]
Preventing Falls from Height Project
Construction is one of five sectors where specific action plans have been developed to reduce the death and injury toll. The roofing guidelines have been launched as part of the ‘Preventing Falls from Height’ project which aims to raise awareness about working safely at height and reducing the human and financial toll caused by falls from height,” according to Department of Labour Program Manager Francois Barton.
“More than half the falls from height reported to the Department are happening from under three meters – and most of these falls are from roofs and ladders. Too many roofers are falling,” Barton continued. “These guidelines are a practical way of helping roofers and others in the construction sector understand what safe working practice at height looks like. Preventing falls while working at height is a top priority for the Department.”
Targeting 25% Reduction in Serious Injuries & Deaths
The Department of Labour has recently set a target of a 25 percent reduction in serious injuries and deaths by 2020 and these guidelines will help regulators, employers, employees and industry associations contribute to meeting that target.
Starting in July, the Department of Labour will be commencing targeted enforcement in the construction sector, particularly focusing on residential building sites, to prevent falls from height. [Wcx]
“The Department is increasing the visibility and intensity of workplace visits in the construction sector and turning up the heat around poor practice. If we see nothing is being done to prevent falls from height in the workplace, we’ll take appropriate enforcement steps. Doing nothing is not an option,” Barton added.
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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