In a new three-part series about regulations, the Crane Association of New Zealand’s Past President, Scott McLeod, outlines the hierarchy of control measures in this month's
'The Technical Corner'. It’s a mouthful – Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016. But it is a regulation that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially in the crane industry, because there are a number of interesting things to note since it came into force, Scott says. READ MORE Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is drawing a line in the sand from October 1; all mobile cranes that use a public road at any time are subject to Road User Charges (RUCs).
It comes off the back of a year-long collaboration between the Crane Association of NZ (CANZ) and NZTA to lift the inconsistencies, ambiguity, and inequity regarding RUC’s calculation and costs. The work also secured a healthy rebate for around 25 mobile crane companies after it was discovered they had overpaid RUCs. To ensure similar errors are not repeated, a fact sheet has been developed by both organisations to provide the clarified rules and registration process. The fact sheet defines every variety of mobile crane, what RUC category they fall within including examples, and explains permits, the hubodometer exempt process and special RUC rates. Let me start firstly by acknowledging the industry’s adaptability during the ever-present elephant in the room and its latest community transmission.
Despite having Auckland’s Alert Level ratcheted up to 3 in August – and the rest of the country to 2 – I know members and crane operators are carrying on as best they can. They continue to do our industry a service by cementing our strength during uncertain times. CLICK HERE to read more They are two words Sarah Toase has lived by for as long as she can remember and driven her to improve every aspect of her life.
And as one of the Crane Association of New Zealand’s raison d'être is to raise the standards of operation and efficiency across the face of the crane industry, the two couldn’t be a better fit. CLICK HERE to read more Innovative technology is crucial to any society’s future and, therefore, sorely sought after. That’s why the Crane Association of New Zealand’s Past President, Scott McLeod, wants you to be more attuned to their hidden risks in this month’s The Technical Corner.
New Zealand owned civil infrastructure supplies company, Cirtex, provided the Southern Hemisphere’s first Triton Vault Stormwater System for a new Countdown supermarket build, in Rototuna, Hamilton. According to the company’s case study, various site constraints meant the position available to locate the system was limited to an area under the supermarket loading dock and truck access-way. CLICK HERE to read more Do not let it be said that we are not flexible.
I am, of course, referring to the milestone that is the Crane Association of New Zealand’s first Special General Meeting and pre-voting Q&A, which was held via Zoom – quite the venue for many of us in recent months. The Council is pleased to announce that the members have unanimously voted in favour of supporting the items and remits in the Special General Meeting postal vote. Thank you to all those who voted and to those who attended our online Q&A. I am pleased to say that no issues were raised, which I hope is a sign that everyone has been kept well informed and is content with our comms efforts. I would like to thank all those members who voted. This enables your association to progress forward dealing with our industries issues. CLICK HERE to read more. Following 47 years working the crane industry’s every angle, Bill Houlker has swapped construction sites for the countryside as he sets up shop with his daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters just north of Plimmerton.
“We’re going to get some animals, so I’m working out how we’ll manage those, plus cooking the odd meal and sometimes picking my granddaughters up from school.” His new, more genteel life gives Bill plenty of time for his family, which is a welcome trade-in having spent his entire life in a career he was smitten with. “Sometimes I felt a bit smug because I was getting paid to have fun.” In the early 70s, Bill was a senior accounts clerk at a printing factory, but that changed when his father, who owned a company which sold trucks, tower cranes and other cutting-edge machines of the time, called on him to take the family business to the next level. CLICK HERE to read more. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is looking to clarify the way Road User Charges (RUC) for mobile cranes are calculated and purchased.
“There have been some inconsistencies in compliance in the mobile crane industry,” says Paul Fantham, Waka Kotahi’s Senior Manager of Commercial Licensing and Revenue. “We want the system to be clear and fair, and for all mobile crane operators to be compliant from October 1. “We need to educate mobile crane operators about their obligations concerning RUC. These charges in most cases are worked out differently for mobile cranes than for other types of heavy vehicles.” Mr Fantham says the RUC for mobile cranes take into account the unusual axle spacings and tyre sizes and accurately reflect the damage being done to roads. The mobile crane industry is complex. There are about 450 mobile cranes in operation in New Zealand. About 68 operators have one crane, and 48 have more than one. Some cranes are transported to and from sites, and others are driven. NZTA Mobile Crane RUC adjustment FAQ sheet CLICK HERE to read more. |
Archives
June 2023
Categories
All
|