steph, Author at HazardCo NZ

Good health and safety processes and systems lay the foundation for success with any project but are even more important with bigger builds and multi-dwelling residential projects.

This blog will dive into managing health and safety in complex construction projects and look at how to set up effective systems to lay a solid foundation for your next big project.

Why focus on health and safety in multi-dwelling projects?

At HazardCo, we keep a close eye on industry trends to make sure our content and tools are relevant and useful. Over the last 12 months, there has been a significant increase in council consents for multi-dwelling residential projects. There are now more consents issued for multi-dwelling projects than stand-alone builds.

Multi-dwelling projects are bigger, more complex, and have more layers of overlapping duties, creating a need for a solid health and safety plan from the very start of the build. We also consistently see that businesses that set up good processes and systems within their business and who have a strong safety culture, do better than their competitors who don’t invest in these areas..

Common myths in multi-dwelling construction

In talking to our customers, we’ve encountered several myths about multi-dwelling projects:

Responsibility myths: Builders and trades often think they are only responsible for their own health and safety, while developers or main contractors believe they are not responsible for overall site safety.
Risk assessment myths: Some believe there is no additional risk in multi-dwelling builds compared to standalone projects.
Cookie Cutter Model: Many assume that using the same safety plans and procedures across different projects is sufficient. However, each site and build is unique, with its own set of challenges and risks.

Overlapping duties and responsibilities

In multi-dwelling projects, overlapping duties are unavoidable. All businesses involved must consult, cooperate, and coordinate with each other. Good communication and sharing information is critical to managing these overlapping responsibilities and creating a safe site.

To incorporate consultation, coordination, and cooperation into your construction business, start by planning each stage of the work and think about how it affects your contractors, other businesses and the public. In this process, you need to identify the risks that need to be managed and talk to who is impacted about how to handle them. With your contractors decide who’s best to manage each risk and make sure everyone knows their roles, responsibilities, and what’s expected of them.

Unique challenges of multi-dwelling projects

Compared to standalone residential projects, multi-dwelling builds involve more contractors, equipment and activities on a smaller site, which increases risks. Key considerations include:

Contractor management: Managing multiple trades on-site at one time.
Height and equipment: Multi-dwelling projects often involve taller structures and more heavy machinery e.g cranes.
Traffic and pedestrian management: Managing the increased traffic of vehicles and pedestrians around the site.
Materials: Managing increased delivery and storage of materials on-site
Utilities: Dealing with both overhead and underground utilities.
Environmental impact: Planning for construction waste and protecting the environment.
Emergency planning: Comprehensive plans for various emergencies, beyond just fires and earthquakes.

Contractor management

Contractor management and the logistics of contractors on site is a major challenge on multi-dwelling projects. Successful contractor management starts before they even enter on to a site, and involves checking contractors have the right qualifications, health and safety processes, and a good track record. Pre-planning and continuous monitoring of your contractors, when they are on site, is essential to prevent injuries and ensure smooth project execution.

If you would like to know more about contractor management, check out our Simple Guide To Contractor Management

High-risk work areas

Key high-risk areas in multi-dwelling projects create another unique challenge for these projects and can include the following:

Working at heights: As most dwellings are two or more stories. Proper planning and safety measures for working at elevated levels, including the use of scaffolding, cranes
Machinery and vehicles: Safe operation and coordination of heavy equipment.
Utilities: Avoiding incidents with power lines and underground utilities.
Excavations: Proper planning of excavations and management of works and machinery

Successful health and safety management sets your project up for success

Businesses that have good processes and systems in place do better across the board and they are more likely to complete projects on time and on budget. This creates happy clients and a better reputation in the industry.

Successful multi-dwelling projects often include:

Early health and safety planning: Integrating safety into the planning stages to create a safer work environment.
Continuous monitoring and reviewing: Regular checks and updates to safety processes throughout the project.
Clear communication and coordination: Ensuring all contractors are informed and aligned on health and safety practices.

The shift towards multi-dwelling residential projects brings new health and safety challenges. By debunking myths, understanding overlapping duties, managing contractors effectively, and focusing on high-risk areas, you can make your sites safer! Remember, health and safety planning is not just a regulatory requirement but a vital part of protecting the crew on site.

If you have a new project in the pipeline, let’s work together to keep your sites safe and successful. We have specifically designed Project Pro to meet the complex needs of multi-dwelling residential builds which includes extra support from our advisory team. Get in touch today!

Maintaining clean amenities is just as important as keeping your site nice and tidy. Employers have a duty to provide adequate workplace amenities/facilities, including toilets, that are in good working order, clean, safe and accessible.

When planning amenities on your site, consult with your workers to understand what will be needed. Getting them involved will give you the opportunity to provide information, training and instruction on things like keeping the site amenities clean and reporting any problems.

Portable Toilets

More often than not portable toilets are not maintained in a safe or hygienic way. Employers must make sure that toilets are cleaned and serviced regularly, making sure they are safe to use, just like any other on-site machinery.

Toilets should also:

Be completely enclosed, to ensure privacy
Be provided with a door that can be locked from the inside
Have enough water for flushing and washing hands
Stocked with toilet paper, rubbish bins and hygienic means to dispose of sanitary items
Supplied with soap or a suitable alternative such as alcohol based sanitiser

Don’t forget, the toilet should be easy to access in all weather conditions and be placed on stable, flat ground to ensure it can operate properly.

Drinking water

Clean drinking water must be supplied to workers by installing site water taps as early as possible. If the mains have not been connected, provide workers with drinking water in containers, coolers or flasks.

Meal and shelter facilities

Workers should have a clean and sheltered area for meals and rest breaks. A garage or a similar sheltered area can be used or a vehicle cab if there is no other reasonably practicable option, so long as basic requirements for worker rest can be met.

Not meeting these requirements can lead to a risk of infection, disease, psychosocial harm or infringements/enforcement from the Regulator. Planning is key to ensuring you and your team have what you need in place from start to finish.

As always, if you have any questions please give our team a call on 0800 555 339 or contact us.

It’s important for young people starting out in construction to understand how to stay safe at work. Young workers lack experience and might not know about all the hazards yet, which could put them in danger of getting hurt. Sometimes young people might feel like they have to impress others, or they might think they’re better at the job than they actually are, they may also forget about safety rules or be afraid to speak up if something seems unsafe. Because of this young workers have additional needs and should be supervised when working on-site.

Positive safety culture onsite comes from the top down, supervisors should be actively modeling and training young workers about safety rules, make sure they have the right gear, and encourage them to speak up if they see any problems.

There are some jobs that young workers shouldn’t do because they might not have enough experience or strength yet. Supervisors need to make sure young people can handle their tasks and keep an eye on them until they are sure they are able to do the work safely. Young workers also need to think about their own safety, listen to instructions and follow safety rules.

When everyone works together to stay safe, it helps make sure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.

Now, let’s delve deeper into some specific measures that can be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of young workers in the construction industry:

Comprehensive training: Employers should provide thorough training before they begin any tasks. This training should cover specific job duties and safety procedures, hazard identification and emergency protocols. By giving young workers the necessary knowledge and skills, employers can empower them to work safely and confidently. Basic health and safety should be incorporated into their training from the start, and ongoing support should be provided to address any gaps in understanding. Regular check-ins to gauge their comprehension and comfort with procedures and equipment are essential.
Clear communication: Good communication is key to creating a safe work environment. Employers should clearly communicate safety expectations and procedures to young workers, making sure that they understand their responsibilities and know how to respond in different situations. Young workers often have fresh perspectives and questions that can lead to improvements. Encouraging them to voice their ideas can contribute significantly to a safer workplace for everyone.
Supervision and mentorship: Experienced workers can play a vital role in guiding and mentoring young workers on construction sites. Assigning a mentor or supervisor to oversee the work of young workers can help prevent incidents and ensure that tasks are completed safely and correctly. This also provides young workers with an opportunity to learn from experienced builders and develop their skills over time.
Lead by example. Supervisors play a critical role in ensuring workplace safety. They should actively monitor work practices, correct unsafe behaviors, and be available to answer questions. Providing ongoing support and guidance to supervisors, especially if they are also young workers, is essential for maintaining a positive safety culture.
Regular safety inspections: Regular inspections of the work site should be conducted to identify and address any safety hazards or potential risks. Employers should involve young workers in these inspections, encouraging them to participate in hazard identification and risk assessment. By regularly assessing and addressing safety concerns, employers can create a safer work environment for all workers.
Ongoing education and support: Safety education should be an ongoing process. Employers should provide regular opportunities for training and development, keeping young workers informed about new safety regulations, procedures, and best practices. Additionally, employers should offer support and guidance to young workers as they navigate their roles and responsibilities in the workplace.
Create a positive culture: Creating a positive safety environment involves more than just having policies in place. Supervisors should consistently reinforce safety practices and lead by example by wearing personal protective equipment. Implementing a buddy system can also provide additional support to young workers, allowing them to learn from experienced colleagues while fostering a sense of teamwork and collaboration.

Employing young workers in the construction industry has benefits for the young person, the company and for the industry as a whole as the next generation of builders learn and grow into future roles. By prioritising safety and investing in the well-being of young workers, employers can create a culture of safety that benefits everyone involved. Together, we can build a safer and more secure future for the next generation of construction workers.

If you have any questions, get in touch with the HazardCo team today

On the farm or in the factory, transport is a major part of daily life, making vehicle safety a top priority no matter what you are doing. When using vehicles you can break down transport activities into distinct areas Safe Stop, Safe Vehicle, Safe Driver, and Safe Site – so that you can better identify the hazards and take proactive steps to manage the risks.

Safe Stop

The concept of Safe Stop shows the importance of proper shutdown procedures for vehicles and machinery. The steps are straightforward but critical:

Engage handbrake: Ensure the vehicle or machinery is securely immobilized.
Controls in neutral: Prevent unintended movement.
Switch off engine (or turn off power): Shut down the engine or power source.
Remove key (or lock-off the power supply): Securely store the key or disable the power supply.

Following Safe Stop procedure is essential:

Before leaving the driver’s seat.
When anyone approaches the vehicle or machinery.
Before any maintenance or adjustment tasks.

Safe Vehicle

A Safe Vehicle is one that is well-maintained and suited to the tasks. Consider the following checklist:

Make sure vehicles are appropriate for the job and equipped with necessary safety features like mirrors for reversing and clear vision in all places.
Conduct daily inspections, quickly report and fix any faults.
Regularly maintain braking systems to ensure effectiveness.

Additionally:

Install roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts on vehicles at risk of overturning.
Protect lift truck (forklift) and loader operators from falling objects.
Ensure trailers have brakes matched to their loads and speeds.

Safe Driver

The Safe Driver makes sure they are competent, and fit to carry out the task:

Confirm drivers are medically fit and properly trained.
Prevent unauthorized individuals from operating vehicles.
Educate drivers on safe vehicle entry and exit procedures.

Passengers should only be allowed in designated seats that do not hinder the driver’s visibility or access to controls. Mounting or dismounting moving vehicles is strictly banned for safety reasons.

Safe Site

A Safe Site is characterized by organized and secure traffic management:

Separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic whenever possible.
Inform visiting drivers about site-specific rules and regulations.
Minimize the need for reversing by implementing turning circles or one-way systems.
Maintain well-lit and properly marked traffic routes.
Ensure silos, bulk dumps and storage areas are away from overhead power lines (OHPLs).

Additional vehicle safety tips include:

Avoid approaching or walking near reversing vehicles.
Use audible alarms on vehicles which activate when reversing.
Provide separate doorways for vehicles and pedestrians in buildings.
Wear high-visibility clothing to enhance visibility of people to the driver.

By addressing these four key areas—Safe Stop, Safe Vehicle, Safe Driver, and Safe Site—you can significantly improve transport safety.. Regular training, clear procedures, and a commitment to proactive safety measures are essential for protecting everyone involved in transport and vehicle movements.

If you need any advise get in touch or give the HazardCo team a call on 0800 555 339