Site Safe Manual Handling and Wellbeing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the NZ requirements for managing noise exposure on construction sites?
- Noise assessment, elimination or reduction at source where practicable, engineering controls, hearing protection zones, audiometric testing for exposed workers, and training (Correct answer)
- Provide earplugs and nothing more is required
- Noise management is only needed for demolition work
- Workers get used to noise over time so no management is needed
Correct answer: Noise assessment, elimination or reduction at source where practicable, engineering controls, hearing protection zones, audiometric testing for exposed workers, and training
NZ noise management on construction sites includes: noise assessment to identify high-exposure areas, eliminating or reducing noise at source (quieter equipment, barriers), engineering controls, establishing hearing protection zones (signage), providing appropriate hearing protection, audiometric (hearing) testing for regularly exposed workers, and training.
Question 2: What is the NZ approach to managing sun exposure and UV risk for construction workers?
- Provide shade where possible, schedule outdoor work to avoid peak UV hours, supply sunscreen and protective clothing, encourage wearing broad-brimmed hats, and educate about skin cancer risk (Correct answer)
- Sun exposure is not a health and safety concern in NZ
- Only fair-skinned workers need sun protection
- Sunscreen is the only measure needed
Correct answer: Provide shade where possible, schedule outdoor work to avoid peak UV hours, supply sunscreen and protective clothing, encourage wearing broad-brimmed hats, and educate about skin cancer risk
NZ has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, making UV protection critical for outdoor construction workers. Controls include: providing shade structures, scheduling work to minimise peak UV exposure, supplying SPF 50+ sunscreen, providing UV-protective clothing and broad-brimmed hats, and educating workers about skin cancer risk.
Question 3: Under NZ law, what must happen if a worker is injured on a construction site?
- Provide first aid, call emergency services if needed, report the injury internally, lodge an ACC claim, and report to WorkSafe if it is a notifiable event (Correct answer)
- Only provide first aid — no reporting is needed
- Send the worker home and file paperwork the next day
- Only report injuries if the worker is hospitalised for more than a week
Correct answer: Provide first aid, call emergency services if needed, report the injury internally, lodge an ACC claim, and report to WorkSafe if it is a notifiable event
When a worker is injured on a NZ construction site: provide immediate first aid, call 111 if emergency care is needed, report the injury through the company's incident reporting system, assist the worker in lodging an ACC claim, and report to WorkSafe if it meets the notifiable event threshold.
Question 4: What is the NZ 'Good Employer' obligation regarding worker wellbeing on construction sites?
- Provide a safe workplace, reasonable working hours, adequate facilities (toilets, drinking water, shelter), fair treatment, and support for workers' health and wellbeing (Correct answer)
- Only pay wages — no other obligations exist
- Facilities are only required on sites with more than 100 workers
- Worker wellbeing is a personal matter, not an employer concern
Correct answer: Provide a safe workplace, reasonable working hours, adequate facilities (toilets, drinking water, shelter), fair treatment, and support for workers' health and wellbeing
NZ construction employers must provide: a safe workplace, reasonable working hours with breaks, adequate welfare facilities (toilets, clean drinking water, handwashing, shelter for breaks), fair treatment, and support for physical and mental wellbeing.
Question 5: What is the NZ requirement for vibration exposure management on construction sites?
- Assess vibration exposure (hand-arm and whole-body), limit exposure duration, maintain tools to reduce vibration, use anti-vibration gloves, and implement health monitoring (Correct answer)
- Vibration management is not required in NZ construction
- Only jackhammer operators need vibration management
- Anti-vibration gloves solve all vibration problems
Correct answer: Assess vibration exposure (hand-arm and whole-body), limit exposure duration, maintain tools to reduce vibration, use anti-vibration gloves, and implement health monitoring
NZ construction must manage vibration exposure (hand-arm vibration from power tools, whole-body vibration from vehicles/plant) through: exposure assessment, limiting duration, maintaining tools (worn parts increase vibration), providing anti-vibration equipment, job rotation, and health monitoring for regularly exposed workers.
Question 6: What is the MATES in Construction NZ programme and what does it do?
- A charity providing suicide prevention and mental health support specifically for NZ construction workers through training, case management, and a 24/7 helpline (Correct answer)
- A buddy system for new construction workers
- A mentoring programme for construction apprentices
- A tool-sharing scheme between construction companies
Correct answer: A charity providing suicide prevention and mental health support specifically for NZ construction workers through training, case management, and a 24/7 helpline
MATES in Construction NZ is a charity dedicated to reducing suicide and improving mental health outcomes in the NZ construction industry. It provides: suicide prevention training for all workers, on-site 'connectors' trained to support at-risk colleagues, case management for workers in crisis, and a 24/7 helpline.
Site Safe Manual Handling and Wellbeing 2
What are the NZ requirements for managing noise exposure on construction sites?