Scaffolding fails inspection

Far too many scaffolding sites are failing safety inspections, Department of Labour Manukau Service Manager Craig White says.

Speaking to a large group of industry representatives in Auckland today, Mr White said it had been disturbing to find during inspections at Auckland and Northland construction sites (both commercial and residential) over about the past three months that 59% of the scaffolding failed guard railing safety checks and 51% failed on platform checks.

A total of 63 Serious Harm incidents involving scaffolding were reported to the Department in the July-June 2006/07 year, of which 32 occurred in Auckland. So far this year (since 1 July 2007), 45 Serious Harm incidents involving scaffolding had been reported, of which 12 occurred in Auckland.

“The number of serious injuries involving scaffolding is hopefully dropping, but it is still far too high,” Mr White said.

“There is a real need in this country to improve the structural assembly of scaffolds. An incorrectly constructed scaffold is a dangerous and potentially fatal scaffold, it’s that simple.”

Mr White’s presentation, at the Tai Poutini Polytech School of Scaffolding in Mt Wellington this afternoon, was part of the Department’s Safe Scaffolding Practice Project.

Information for media:

Also speaking at the event – at approximately 2.30pm - will be Noble Scaffolding Ltd owner Wally Noble, who became a paraplegic after falling about 6.5 metres at a central Auckland building site in March last year. Mr Noble, a father of five who spent eight months in hospital after his fall, has since returned to run his Takanini-based scaffolding business with his 19-year-old son.

Where: NZ School of Scaffolding, Tai Poutini Polytech
12 Bowden Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland

When: 1pm - 4pm Tuesday 20 May

The event will begin with an informal sausage barbecue lunch at 1pm, followed by formal presentations between approximately 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Mr Noble will speak at about 2.30pm for about 20 minutes.

Please note that health and safety services, formerly referred to as Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) should now be referred to as the Department of Labour.

Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, ‘Serious Harm’ means death or a range of conditions that result in permanent loss of bodily function or temporary severe loss of bodily function. For the full definition, please see: www.dol.govt.nz and search on ‘Serious Harm’.