With the elections done and dusted, and the announcement of the Labour Government’s new ministers, we’re preparing a Briefing to the Incoming Minister.

This document will highlight the Association’s areas of concern, opportunities and support we believe is required from central government to assist in our industry’s development.

We were also watching the results of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill referendum, as a supportive majority may have posed significant health and safety issues for the industry.

However, as you may well know, most voters were not in favour of recreational cannabis.

On to a lighter note, planning for the CANZ Conference has restarted in earnest. Sarah met me at Claudelands to discuss details with the event’s organiser and check out the venue’s facilities.

The 2021 conference is shaping up to be an exciting one, especially as it will be an opportunity to make up for lost time due to the cancellation of this year’s event.

We’re still planning on having one of the country’s largest outdoor displays of cranes. You will be able to ‘investigate’ all the new toys that will be needed with the Government pushing the economy along.

You also may have seen Sarah in the past few weeks, on her tour throughout the country putting names to faces.

If so, thank you to those who showed her your businesses and highlighted issues you’re tackling on a day-to-day basis. From what I hear, it was an informative trip.

Lastly, I would like to bring to your attention two incidences that occurred in the past couple of months.

Two truck loader cranes tipped over after their stabilisers were not properly deployed.

Please remember three things: TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING!

We must all understand our machinery’s operating procedures and ensure that all our staff are competent to use equipment without a supervisor.

The better prepared we all are for work, the safer we will all be.

Tony Gibson
President

Crane Association of New Zealand  

Visiting Crane Association of New Zealand members throughout the country has reinforced the Association’s purpose to lead governmental changes within the industry.

So says Sarah Toase, Executive Officer, following her tour of crane operators and business owners last month.

Understanding the day-to-day concerns of members, amongst a wide range of areas that need addressing, is part of the Association’s strategic planning process to set a ‘direction of travel’ for the next four years.

One key theme that has come up time and time again is...

​CLICK HERE to read the full story...

​In the second part of our new three-part series about regulations, the Crane Association of New Zealand’s Past President, Scott McLeod, shines a light on the obscurities critical to going home safe in this month's The Technical Corner.

There are plenty of other things we would prefer to do than get our heads around regulations.
They aren’t fun to read or interpret – and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 (the Regulation) is no exception.

Nevertheless, Scott McLeod says understanding the do’s and don’ts are crucial to ensuring everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.

There are two sections in particular that crane operators need to be aware of...

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Martin Wouters is a man of many sayings – one being that it is better to live and die by your own sword than someone else’s.

More importantly are his views on employers’ understanding of ACC levies: “Most employers don't understand the rules. And when you don’t understand the rules, it gets pretty hard to argue the rules.”

The Managing Director of Manage Group established his business to essentially do one thing – translate ACC and WorkSafe speak into plain English.

It was a necessity in 2011, when he started his own business, and he says it is still a requirement today.
Why? Because, in his words, ACC is inefficient at communicating legislation, what is required of an employer, and what is disputable.

CLICK HERE to read the full article.  

The 14km Remutaka Hill road on State Highway 2 will be closed for essential maintenance and slip prevention works from 9pm–4am on 22 nights from November 2020 to June 2021.

​The overnight closures include 4 block closures of 4 or 5 nights in a row and 3 single Sunday night closures.

Click here for details of the closures.

Tadano Group released a statement yesterday regarding the restructure of its German operations in order to "ensure long term competitiveness".  It remains committed to serving its global customer base. 

​Read the full press release HERE. 

CLICK HERE to read October's newsletter.

Got something interesting happening around your way?  Get in touch and we'll feature it in our next newsletter.

The Construction and Infrastructure interim Establishment Board (IEB) launched engagement on the establishment of the new Workforce Development Council for the Construction and Infrastructure sector on 8 September 2020.

CANZ Executive Officer Sarah Toase attended a webinar on 18th September as part of this consultation and advises that it is vital for members to be across this significant change.

Despite our initial opposition to RoVE, we are working to understand the new structure and to ensure the voice of our industry is heard. CANZ is working to ensure our members interests are represented. 

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With the recent announcement that our economy is now in a recession, it’s best if I keep this month’s Word from the President short and sweet as there will – undoubtedly – be a lot on people’s plates.

As a result of the country’s falling GDP, our industry and our businesses will obviously face increasingly difficult times. And as these economic times become tougher, the regulatory requirements and compliance costs are likely to follow suit.

However, it shouldn’t deter us – it certainly won’t deter the Association – from ensuring that we continue to grow and remain a construction sector leader.

We can navigate it more efficiently as one unit, because as the saying goes – there is strength in numbers. And a collection of voices is more likely to influence, or bend the ear of, policymakers than any one individual can. 

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CANZ NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

Scott McLeod isn’t afraid of bringing up a topic of discussion if it means others might learn from it and ensure everyone goes home safe.

He’s also not afraid of admitting a stuff up too, especially if it encourages the industry to take note.

In a non-injury event, picked up by an Environment Health and Safety Manager, an operator was standing on an upper works cab access platform while training the crane driver. During a crane packing up, the crane operator received an SLI Error Code and engaged his trainer to help him understand and clear the condition.

READ MORE