Site Safe Manual Handling and Wellbeing — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the NZ approach to managing manual handling risks on construction sites?
- Assess the task, load, environment, and individual capability; eliminate or reduce manual handling where possible; provide mechanical aids; train workers in safe techniques (Correct answer)
- There are no specific manual handling guidelines in NZ construction
- Workers should lift however feels comfortable to them
- Manual handling injuries are an unavoidable part of construction work
Correct answer: Assess the task, load, environment, and individual capability; eliminate or reduce manual handling where possible; provide mechanical aids; train workers in safe techniques
NZ follows a systematic approach to manual handling: assess the TILE factors (Task, Individual, Load, Environment), eliminate manual handling where possible, provide mechanical aids (trolleys, hoists), redesign tasks to reduce risk, and train workers in safe lifting techniques.
Question 2: What is the correct manual lifting technique taught in NZ Site Safe training?
- Plan the lift, stand close to the load, bend at the knees (not the back), grip firmly, lift using leg muscles, keep the load close to your body, and avoid twisting (Correct answer)
- Bend at the waist and lift with your back muscles
- Always lift quickly to minimise the time under load
- The technique doesn't matter as long as you wear a back brace
Correct answer: Plan the lift, stand close to the load, bend at the knees (not the back), grip firmly, lift using leg muscles, keep the load close to your body, and avoid twisting
Safe lifting in NZ: plan the lift (can you get help?), stand close with feet shoulder-width apart, bend knees and hips (not the back), get a firm grip, lift smoothly using leg muscles, keep the load close to your body, and avoid twisting — turn with your feet instead.
Question 3: Under NZ health and safety law, what is the employer's obligation regarding worker fatigue in construction?
- Manage fatigue risks by monitoring work hours, ensuring adequate rest breaks, assessing fitness for duty, and considering fatigue in risk assessments (Correct answer)
- Fatigue is the worker's personal responsibility only
- Only truck drivers need fatigue management in NZ
- Workers can work unlimited hours as long as they are paid overtime
Correct answer: Manage fatigue risks by monitoring work hours, ensuring adequate rest breaks, assessing fitness for duty, and considering fatigue in risk assessments
Under the HSWA, NZ employers must manage fatigue as a health and safety risk. This includes: monitoring work hours (especially overtime and shift patterns), ensuring adequate rest breaks, assessing fitness for duty, and considering fatigue as a factor in risk assessments for safety-critical work.
Question 4: What are the NZ workplace regulations regarding rest and meal breaks for construction workers?
- Workers are entitled to paid 10-minute rest breaks and an unpaid 30-minute meal break, with timing depending on the length of the work period (Correct answer)
- No breaks are required on construction sites
- Breaks are only required for workers under 18
- Workers can choose to skip breaks to finish work earlier
Correct answer: Workers are entitled to paid 10-minute rest breaks and an unpaid 30-minute meal break, with timing depending on the length of the work period
Under the Employment Relations Act 2000 and the rest and meal break provisions, NZ workers are entitled to: one paid 10-minute rest break for 2-4 hours worked, two paid 10-minute rest breaks and one unpaid 30-minute meal break for 4-6 hours, with additional breaks for longer periods.
Question 5: What are the common musculoskeletal injuries in NZ construction and how can they be prevented?
- Back injuries, shoulder strains, and knee injuries — prevented through proper lifting technique, mechanical aids, task rotation, warm-up exercises, and ergonomic work design (Correct answer)
- Construction workers don't get musculoskeletal injuries
- Only back injuries are common — other joints are not at risk
- These injuries can only be treated, not prevented
Correct answer: Back injuries, shoulder strains, and knee injuries — prevented through proper lifting technique, mechanical aids, task rotation, warm-up exercises, and ergonomic work design
Common NZ construction musculoskeletal injuries include lower back strains, shoulder injuries (overhead work), and knee injuries (kneeling). Prevention includes: proper lifting techniques, using mechanical aids, rotating between tasks, warm-up exercises, ergonomic tool design, and adequate rest.
Question 6: What is the NZ construction industry approach to mental health and wellbeing?
- Recognise that construction workers face mental health risks, promote help-seeking behaviour, provide EAP services, reduce stigma, and support the MATES in Construction programme (Correct answer)
- Mental health is not a workplace issue
- Only workers with diagnosed conditions need support
- Mental health discussions are not appropriate on construction sites
Correct answer: Recognise that construction workers face mental health risks, promote help-seeking behaviour, provide EAP services, reduce stigma, and support the MATES in Construction programme
NZ construction has the highest suicide rate of any industry. The industry promotes mental health through programmes like MATES in Construction NZ, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP), reducing stigma around mental health, training workers to recognise warning signs, and promoting help-seeking behaviour.
Site Safe Manual Handling and Wellbeing
What is the NZ approach to managing manual handling risks on construction sites?