Site Safe Site Hazards and Emergency Procedures — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the NZ regulations regarding excavation safety on construction sites?
- Excavations deeper than 1.5 metres must have benching, battering, or shoring, and excavations deeper than 1.5 metres are notifiable construction work (Correct answer)
- No special precautions are needed for excavations of any depth
- Only excavations deeper than 5 metres need safety measures
- Excavation safety is the responsibility of the excavator operator only
Correct answer: Excavations deeper than 1.5 metres must have benching, battering, or shoring, and excavations deeper than 1.5 metres are notifiable construction work
NZ regulations require that excavations deeper than 1.5 metres have protection against collapse — either benching (stepping), battering (sloping), or shoring (supporting). Excavations deeper than 1.5 metres are also classified as notifiable construction work requiring notification to WorkSafe.
Question 2: On a NZ construction site, what is the safe approach distance for overhead power lines?
- 4 metres minimum for lines up to and including 110 kV — greater distances for higher voltages — in all cases, contact the lines company before working near them (Correct answer)
- You can work right up to the lines as long as you don't touch them
- 2 metres is sufficient for all power lines
- Only electricians need to worry about safe approach distances
Correct answer: 4 metres minimum for lines up to and including 110 kV — greater distances for higher voltages — in all cases, contact the lines company before working near them
NZ requires a minimum safe approach distance of 4 metres from overhead power lines (up to 110 kV) for any equipment, machinery, or materials. For higher voltages, greater distances apply. Always contact the lines company before work near power lines. Contact can be fatal even without touching the line directly (arcing).
Question 3: What is the NZ Site Safe procedure for an emergency evacuation on a construction site?
- Follow the site emergency plan, proceed to the designated assembly point, account for all workers using the sign-in register, and do not re-enter the site until authorised (Correct answer)
- Run to the nearest exit and leave the site
- Continue working until the foreman tells you to leave
- Evacuations are only required during earthquakes in NZ
Correct answer: Follow the site emergency plan, proceed to the designated assembly point, account for all workers using the sign-in register, and do not re-enter the site until authorised
NZ construction site evacuation procedures include: recognising the alarm, following the site emergency plan, proceeding calmly to the designated assembly point, accounting for all workers using the daily sign-in register, and not re-entering the site until the all-clear is given by the site manager or emergency services.
Question 4: What are the NZ requirements for managing asbestos on construction sites?
- An asbestos management plan is required, only licensed removalists can remove asbestos, workers must not disturb suspected asbestos without testing, and specific PPE is required (Correct answer)
- Asbestos is no longer present in NZ buildings so no precautions are needed
- Any worker can remove asbestos as long as they wear a dust mask
- Asbestos is only dangerous if you eat it
Correct answer: An asbestos management plan is required, only licensed removalists can remove asbestos, workers must not disturb suspected asbestos without testing, and specific PPE is required
NZ asbestos management requires: an asbestos management plan for buildings built before 2000, identification and testing before any work that might disturb asbestos, removal only by licensed Class A or B removalists, specific RPE (respiratory protective equipment), and compliance with the Asbestos Regulations 2016.
Question 5: On a NZ construction site, what is the procedure when underground services (pipes, cables) need to be located before excavation?
- Use 'beforeUdig' to request service plans, use cable locating equipment to confirm positions, hand-dig within the tolerance zone, and have a spotter when using machinery near services (Correct answer)
- Just start digging carefully and stop if you hit something
- Underground services are always deeper than any construction excavation
- Only water pipes need to be located — cables are always deeper than 2 metres
Correct answer: Use 'beforeUdig' to request service plans, use cable locating equipment to confirm positions, hand-dig within the tolerance zone, and have a spotter when using machinery near services
Before excavation in NZ: use 'beforeUdig' (free service) to obtain plans of underground services, use electromagnetic locating equipment to confirm positions on site, hand-dig within the tolerance zone around services, and use a spotter when operating machinery near known services.
Question 6: What is the NZ requirement for first aid on construction sites?
- A risk assessment determines first aid needs — at minimum, a stocked first aid kit, trained first aiders, and emergency communication must be available (Correct answer)
- A first aid kit somewhere on site is sufficient
- First aid is only required on sites with more than 50 workers
- The nearest hospital serves as the site's first aid facility
Correct answer: A risk assessment determines first aid needs — at minimum, a stocked first aid kit, trained first aiders, and emergency communication must be available
NZ requires a risk assessment to determine first aid needs for each construction site. At minimum, this includes a properly stocked first aid kit, trained first aiders (number based on worker count and risk level), emergency communication (phone), and emergency procedures.
Site Safe Site Hazards and Emergency Procedures
What are the NZ regulations regarding excavation safety on construction sites?