Water update

Rigorous health and safety standards pay dividends

A concerted effort to further improve health and safety procedures on all construction sites for council-funded water, wastewater and stormwater projects is now paying dividends.

At water-related worksites across the city, lost time injuries are down for each of the past four years, from a high in 2003/04 of 4.5 (injuries per million hours worked) to just 1 for the 2006/07 year.

Water services’ excellent level of health and safety compliance contributes to council’s 20 per cent discount on its ACC levy – a saving of around $33,000 each year.

Infrastructure Services’ safety, quality and environment co-ordinator, Blair McMichael, says a partnership approach between council and its 40 on-site contractor firms has enhanced a “safety-conscious” attitude amongst workers.

“Contractors are carrying out specialist tasks like microtunnelling and directional drilling, which if not well managed can be high risk, so strict health and safety standards are imperative,” says Mr McMichael.

“Each and every worker on one of our construction sites must complete and pass our health and safety induction programme or they’re not allowed on site.

“Each contractor firm also prepares a safety plan for every new job undertaken, and we monitor each worksite to ensure health and safety standards are being maintained to protect workers and the general public.”