Minister Backs Higher Standards For Scaffolding

Minister Kate Wilkinson Backs Higher Professional Standards For Scaffolding

SARNZ president Graham Burke and Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson at SARNZ AGM

Best Practice Guidelines will see the scaffolding industry play a greater role in improving workplace safety, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson told delegates at the Scaffolding and Rigging New Zealand Annual General Meeting in Wellington.

The Minister said the revocation of the Approved Code of Practice and the formal adoption of Best Practice Guidelines was a “big step” for the scaffolding industry. “It is crucial that organisations and associations take leadership of health and safety compliance. The development of the Best Practice Guidelines for scaffolding as the industry document means you will play a much more prominent role in setting the safety standards required. This can only be a good thing.” The Best Practice Guidelines, which were reviewed by Scaffolding and Rigging New Zealand (SARNZ) last year, include minimum requirements and best practice for safe working methods in areas such as the erection and dismantling of scaffolding, edge protection and access on scaffolding and roof edge protection.

The Minister said the move from the code to the updated guidelines was about finding the most appropriate tools to increase health and safety. “Guidelines add to the body of knowledge within an industry. They also have the ability to be a little more flexible and can be updated and revised quickly and efficiently. Most importantly, guidelines are developed and often driven by industry.” The Minister also paid tribute to the continuing work of SARNZ in improving workplace safety in the scaffolding industry.

“Your commitment to health and safety is well known and I want to acknowledge all the work you are doing to advance the safety culture in your industry. This is no small matter, and the more organisations that take charge of leading health and safety practices in their industries, the better this country will be. In terms of maturity of an industry, SARNZ is already heading where we would like to see more industries and their associations.”

Graham Burke, president of SARNZ, said the adoption of the Best Practice Guidelines marked a major milestone for the scaffolding industry.

“The Best Practice Guidelines will ultimately mean higher professional standards in the industry and I welcome the Minister’s support. It is now the only industry document for the safe erection and use of scaffolding. Scaffolding is the first industry to replace an Approved Code of Practice with industry-led guidelines. This has taken eight years to achieve so this is something SARNZ is immensely proud of.”

Developed in consultation with industry groups and scaffold users, the new guidelines are compulsory for all SARNZ members.

The Best Practice Guidelines can be purchased from SARNZ, Site Safe, Registered Master Builders Federation, Certified Builders, Roofing Association, Master Painters and the Crane Association.

The Minister spoke at the SARNZ AGM at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor on August 6.

ENDS

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