Christmas Safety Reminder for Canterbury Demolition Sites

MEDIA RELEASE
22 December 2011
Christmas Safety Reminder for Canterbury Demolition Sites

With the Christmas holiday break looming the Department of Labour is reminding businesses in the red zone and other earthquake-affected areas in Canterbury to secure their worksites safely and eliminate potential hazards.

“Huge amounts of demolition work began earlier this year and will continue well into 2012. We know that securing work sites such as these can have its challenges but safety must be at the forefront of people’s minds,” says the Department’s Southern General Manager Jean Martin.

“Of particular concern is dust that has been generated through demolition work - this needs to be monitored by employers to ensure it does not pose any risk to the public if they are shutting down their work site during this period.

“For those demolition sites which plan to stay open throughout the Christmas and New Year period, care should be taken to ensure everyone takes appropriate breaks.”

Fatigue can be an issue when people work longer hours over warm summer days and Department of Labour research shows an apparent increase in workplace fatalities during the summer months.

Ms Martin says that everyone has a responsibility to improve workplace health and safety and that employers and employees should look after each other if working over the Christmas break.

“Too many people are dying and being injured at work in New Zealand - the best Christmas present for every family is that their relatives come home from work safely,” Ms Martin says.

ENDS

Notes to Editor
• Information for employers in Christchurch and Canterbury can be found on the Department’s website: http://www.dol.govt.nz/quake/
• Department of Labour research into summer fatalities can be found here: http://www.dol.govt.nz/PDFs/seasonal-fatalities-full-colour.pdf
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