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Total Bridge Services is named the safest place to work in New Zealand

Wednesday 16 June 2010, 7:56AM

By ACC

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ACC has congratulated Total Bridge Services on being named the safest place to work in New Zealand.
The Auckland-based organisation took home the supreme award at the Safeguard New Zealand Health and Safety Awards last night (Tuesday).

ACC and the Department of Labour jointly sponsored the supreme award for the best overall contribution to improving workplace health and safety in New Zealand.

Total Bridge Services impressed the judges with its approach to protecting the health of 150 workers on a project to strengthen the box girder extensions on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The project exposed the workers to a range of health hazards spanning high temperatures, harmful fumes, loud noises and manual handling of tonnes of steel.

The company minimised the risk of injury to its staff through a range of practical measures including installing portable ventilation and fume extraction systems, changing paint removal methods to minimise lead absorption, and installing two electric trains to deliver steel through the girders.

“I am delighted to congratulate Total Bridge Services on being named the supreme winner, which is an impressive feat for a high-risk project.

“I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous commitment that organisations across New Zealand have shown to health and safety in the last year.

“Commitment to health and safety is important because the cost of workplace injuries is huge. Last year the cost in ACC claims alone was $443 million, up from $400 million the year before,” said ACC General Manager Keith McLea.

Meanwhile Douglas Manufacturing, of Auckland, won the ACC Best Leadership of an Industry Sector Award.

Douglas Manufacturing was the first organisation, outside of a government agency, to create a Group Standard for managing the adverse affects hazardous substances under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act.

“The award for best leadership of an industry sector is so important. It has been given to Douglas Manufacturing because the initiative and leadership of its staff have helped to lift health and safety standards in its sector.

“It has also paved the way for other organisations to introduce best practice standards in this area,” said Mr McLea.

The awards, now in their sixth year, are organised by Safeguard magazine and supported by the Department of Labour. The awards are judged by an independent panel representing ACC, the Department of Labour, NZ Council of Trade Unions and an industry health and safety practitioner.