Government proposes scaffolding rules change to align with risk level
RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The government wants to streamline "complex" scaffolding rules to cut costs and boost building time.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden will begin consulting with builders and construction professionals on how to simplify scaffolding rules and the prequalification process.
Prequalification checks are done before a company or contractor can bid on or start work, to verify whether they can do a job safely.
In a statement, van Velden said there are concerns from the sector scaffolding rules are too complex and have led to a view that scaffolding should be used in all situations, regardless of risk.
"Over-compliance needlessly drags down construction productivity, increasing building time and costs for the sector, and impacting new builds and Kiwi homeowners." she said.
Photo:
123rf
Officials will consult on some proposed new rules, which would let people choose safety options based on how dangerous the job was.
"Changes will ensure scaffolding use is better aligned with the level of risk. If it's not very risky, they will not need to use expensive scaffolding. For example, they will be considering whether a ladder could be used instead of scaffolding for a simple roof gutter repair or minor electrical maintenance when working at height.
She said many in the industry were frustrated with the time and money prequalifications took to complete.
"Businesses feel like they have to jump through hoops to tick a compliance box when getting prequalified, even though the prequalification often involves little reflection of the real-world risks workers face. Some have said they have walked away from clients as the cost of getting prequalified is not worth the value of the work."
"A lack of consistency across providers means that suppliers need to get a new prequalification for every job they tender for, with one submitter saying they completed 76 in a year."
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden.
Photo:
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
WorkSafe will work with the industry to revise its prequalification guidance and develop an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) to cut down on their over-use.
The inister said work was also underway to update scaffolding certificate of competence categories, with a review of certificate fees set to follow.
"Concerns have been raised about the distinction between qualifications and actual competency. Many feel that on-the-job experience should be better recognised. There's also confusion about what constitutes sufficient training, and frustration with inconsistent advice from regulators," van Velden said.
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