The attached publication is sadly no longer produced by Worksafe. They should hang their heads in shame that it is no longer available, even in archives. It gives the design specs for all manner of safe access systems. An excellent ready-reference publication. Just one of so many useful Guides previously available in the OSH library. — Rowly Brown

True that Rowly,much useful info, even if they cite laws and regulations that have been superseded

Understand one thing, unlike the other H&S regulator, Maritime NZ will investigate any and all incidents that fall within it's remit, and won't hesitate to bring a prosecution, regardless of where the "incident occurs" or who it involves, private or commercial

Check out their website to see how seriously they take things https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/public/news/

Here's some of EWRBs info, the dangers of working with asbestos are discussed on EW bi annual refreshers, so maybe the troops haven't brought that learning back.

I think targeting the young in their training in all industries on h&s and the hazards specific to their industries to slowly make change is the key. — Nancy Robbie

We saw this in action during the Christchurch EQ rebuild Nancy, Fletchers insistence that their subbies had completed a Site Safe Construction Course saw the young'uns start to shame their elders by wearing/using PPE, gradually and grudgingly the dinosaurs followed.

Electrical Workers Registration Board have done lots of work in educating electrical workers and their employers on the dangers asbestos poses

We're talking late 1970's-1980's here Nancy, what alerted me to the possible risks of Asbestos was working as an Instrumentation Technician previously, and in the lab I worked at, an older tech had Asbestosis, and warned me to avoid the stuff, or take precautions if contact was unavoidable (heat resistant cabling used asbestos at that time. RIP Steve Hermans,you were a good bugger

Asbestos pads used to be the only option for shoe/drum style brakes, back in the day, I was a Service Technician for a materials handling equipment company repairing/maintaining battery electric equipment and always wore a proper respirator style dust mask when replacing brake shoes and did what I could to contain the dust contained in brake drums..

In your case, many cars etc coming through your sites may have been fitted with brake pads/shoes containing asbestos, I think you have to assume they all do, and plan accordingly. There are a few H&S folk from workshops servicing cars/trucks and other equipment, will be interesting to see their thoughts

Eloquently put Keith, and as usual with your posts, right on the money

Hey Lucille, how have you got on with this? Talking to my son-in-law yesterday, he's project managing a rebuild of wharves at Port Chalmers, his company has done exactly what Matt above has suggested, he was a bit unsure of the qualification their boat master needed but I think they found someone with a Commercial Launch Masters ticket to drive their tender

As it should be if you are already doing what you say you do H&S wise, and what you say you do, meets or exceeds your industry norms and standards :cheer:

Maybe start at Maritime New Zealand's rules page
Where will this boat be operating?

That was sort of Terri's suggestion above Garth, but the Podiatrist angle wouldn't hurt either.

We organized a phone call appointment with the GP who explained the problem and some solutions to fix, similar modifications were required for their personal footwear. We then contacted an orthotic supplier for the relevant insoles. — Terri Coopland

The other part of your post raises a question that only the OP can answer, are the staff on this manufacturing site that are suddenly "unable" to wear safety foot wear, manufacturing team members, or office/other staff who either infrequently go into workshop/factory areas, or never go into them.

Check the definition of a competent person Rob

The Standard does say an experienced and/or qualified person does the six monthly(in an arduous location) and yearly checks in other locations Sarah, A basic fire extinguisher use course that results in NZQA 3271 and 4647 being attained should give you some familiarity with classes of extinguisher and their construction, and what to look for as far as damage goes.

Along with some basic items of test equipment (balance scales to check weight, rubber mallet to loosen dry powder FXs) you may need sundry items like tags, clips and hoses, signage, wall hooks etc should cover it, along with some record keeping.

Any particular reason for wanting to DIY this?

Absolutely right Don, moving any kind of heavy load calls for safety footwear IMO Rima, whether by hand, pallet lifter, forklift, crane etc, as does doing bench work on heavy/sharp items that could topple off.

We organized a phone call appointment with the GP who explained the problem and some solutions to fix, similar modifications were required for their personal footwear. We then contacted an orthotic supplier for the relevant insoles. — Terri

As I said, Terri's approach to this problem works for me, of course, if there is no way safety foot wear can be worn, consideration to redeployment or termination would become the final outcome

Might want to reread Detta and Terri's posts Murray, they aren't advising not wearing safety shoes, just working with the workers doctors to find safety foot wear that will work for them. That has to be better than sacking them, in these tight labour times

Hi Michelle

Previous clients of mine, have used side loaders, gantry cranes and forklifts to handle long loads like yours.

Hopefully someone who is directly dealing with the materials you are grappling with, will respond, meanwhile here are a few links that might give you some ideas.

https://www.truninger.com/fileadmin/Application_notes/MK0022EN.pdf

https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/handle-store-reinforcing-bars/65391/

https://www.reinforcing-bar.com/technology/handling-and-storing.html

That's why you get paid the big bucks Andrew :razz: