WorkSafe NZ highlights the importance of contractor management

WorkSafe NZ highlights the importance of contractor management and detailed job planning following a serious workplace incident at a quarry operation. A worker was tasked with removing an elevated walkway when he fell four metres to the ground while removing bolts that secured the structure. The walkway was partly held by a crane, which he assumed provided enough structural integrity to continue work.

This incident underscores why robust contractor management practices and thorough JSEA documentation remain essential for preventing falls and other serious harm on site. The JSEA lacked critical steps needed to complete the job safely and failed to include controls for preventing falling objects or protecting workers operating at height.

WorkSafe Advice on Preventing Similar Incidents

Advice from WorkSafe states:

• Operators should ensure all work is effectively risk assessed with input from workers, with appropriately detailed JSEAs provided so tasks can be undertaken safely.
• A competent person should approve the practical implementation of any JSEA covering safety-critical work.
• Any structure should be considered unstable after bolts or braces are removed, unless a suitably qualified person confirms its integrity.

Given how quickly a stable-looking structure can become hazardous once fasteners are removed, employers must treat every stage of dismantling work as a potential emergency scenario requiring careful control measures. Proper training for workers handling height-related tasks, combined with clear compliance checks before each phase begins, can reduce hazards significantly. A documented contractor management plan helps ensure responsibilities are understood across every party involved in a project, reducing ambiguity that can otherwise lead to preventable harm in the workplace.

To view the alert, head to the WorkSafe NZ website. For further reading on why regulatory bodies continue to emphasise safety oversight, see our article on how WorkSafe awards highlight the importance of workplace safety.

New Grants Available for Farm Safety

New grants are now available to improve farm safety outcomes. The Australian Government has opened applications for up to $1.6 million in funding aimed at strengthening safety practices across the agricultural sector nationally.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said, "increasing safety awareness and training to save lives on farms is a critical national issue."

These grants will support projects delivering well-designed, adaptable safety training and education programs. Initiatives funded through this scheme aim to change the safety trajectory for multiple generations of farmers, addressing hazards that have long affected the sector.

Australian farmers make up only 2.6 per cent of the country's workforce, yet they account for a fifth of all workplace fatalities, with 58 deaths recorded on farms in 2019. This stark figure highlights why targeted training and emergency preparedness remain such a pressing priority for rural industries.

Applications for the new grant close on 28 July 2021. For information on applying, head here. To read more about this grant, visit the Farming Ahead website. Businesses looking to strengthen their own safety frameworks may also benefit from reviewing our Farmsafe article on decisive action to enhance farm safety.