SARNZ helps members to scale new heights

Hanging out. Technical Rigging Services won Best Rigging Job of the Year 2015 for the FM1 Broadcast Antenna on the Auckland Skytower

There will be a subtle name change when Scaffolding, Access & Rigging NZ releases its new industry guidelines later this year, says chief executive Graham Burke.

“We are calling the new document Good Practice Guidelines for Scaffolding rather than Best Practice Guidelines, as we believe the name Good Practice is a better reflection of minimum requirements. There can be a misinterpretation when using the name Best Practice that it sets out the maximum standards for people to adhere to, even though that is not the case.”

He says like previous guidelines, the new Good Practice Guidelines for Scaffolding should be seen as a comprehensive and authoritative guide to what is considered by the scaffolding industry to be safest and preferred
work practice.

“The draft of the document is with Worksafe, but given the backlog of similar guidance material being developed at the same time, progress has been slow getting it through the system.”

SARNZ currently represents around 120 members, representing major scaffolding and rigging contractors, through to smaller companies and it also has a number of associate members, who are mainly industry suppliers.

“We represent the majority of scaffolding companies in New Zealand. Membership has taken off in the last few years due to the growth of the industry, and heightened profile of the organisation.”

Members of SARNZ have to meet required minimum standards in areas such as health and safety, public liability and training before they can join.

“We are very strong on complying with the Guidelines which have been set by SARNZ in collaboration with stakeholders including Master Builders, Roofing Association, Master Painters, Certified Builders and Worksafe. Companies cannot become a member of SARNZ unless they can prove they meet these base requirements.”

Graham says there are several benefits to being a member, such as the ability to have an input into industry matters, and networking with others in the sector.

“This is really important, especially for people starting out or trying to grow their business.”

SARNZ communicates with its members through its comprehensive website, and a regular newsletter, called Platform.

“We are currently looking at other new ways to engage with and support our members, including more personal communication.

We have sent out a poll to our members to see how they would like to interact with SARNZ.

The response so far is that they are very happy with the newsletter, but would be open to the possibility of social media, or a more interactive members’ area on the website, possibly with a forum to encourage greater interaction. We are definitely looking at ways to facilitate that.”