Keeping up with health and safety changes

The Frame and Truss Manufacturers’  Association is undertaking a review of the Health and Safety section of its Code of Practice, and encourages all members to keep up to date with the changes to health and safety legislation in New Zealand.

“We strongly encourage our fabricator members to be health and safety compliant, and take all practicable steps to ensure they meet their obligations to keep their employees safe at work,” say FTMA chairman, Robert Grimmer.

He says in the event of a serious or potentially serious injury, frame and truss fabricators must advise WorkSafe NZ as soon as possible.

“It is critical our members are aware of this requirement. There can be no excuses.”

FTMA has prepared a Serious Harm Incidents fact sheet to help its members understand the changes and processes they need to follow.

With only minimal involvement on building sites, when product is delivered, the greatest risk exposure for FTMA members is usually within their factories, says Robert.

“Our members operate in a relatively high risk environment given their use of nail guns, power saws, and manual handling of heavy objects.”

Wood dust and noise are other potential hazards the FTMA has been looking at closely over the last two or three years.

“As an Association we’ve been represented on a WorkSafe working party, with a focus on occupational health risks that may cause long term damage to people working in the industry.

This advisory group has been involved in the development of resources around the exposure to noise and dust, looking at the risks, the standards we’re applying, and the support and materials we need to provide to ensure our members operate in a healthy, safe workplace environment.”