Site Safe Site Hazards and Emergency Procedures

Question 1

What are the NZ regulations regarding excavation safety on construction sites?

Accepted Answer

Excavations deeper than 1.5 metres must have benching, battering, or shoring, and excavations deeper than 1.5 metres are notifiable construction work

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

Site Safe Practice Test

Site Safe Practice Test

Site Safe Site Hazards and Emergency Procedures