June 2020
Word from the President What an unusual time we have all had over the past two months. And what a relief to get down to Alert Level 2 and a little more normality. I am hoping that you have endured the lockdown down period without too much pain. Now that we are coming out the other side, if you have got any stressful difficulties, I suggest that you get in touch with other members. Or even contact the Association to see if there is anything that we can do to help – whether that be some form of mentoring or assistance. Because that is the point of being a CANZ member, we help one another where and when we can. CLICK HERE to read the full article. June 2020
Not giving up on your MATES New Zealand is undergoing a bit of a cultural shift regarding mental health. While it is still a massively complex problem, with far too many people still taking their own lives, the rhetoric is beginning to soften away from the Kiwi-ism that is “Harden up, mate”. However, some workplaces – especially in those stereotypically rugged or ‘in-the-trenches’ industries – haven’t been quick to evolve their cultures to a more empathetic place. Which is why Director of Emendas, Emma Jeffery, engages with MATES in Construction. She deals with clients predominantly in construction and manufacturing industries, and sees first-hand some of those industries’ prevalent challenges. “They’re working long hours. The job is quite physically demanding and out in the elements. CLICK HERE to read the full article. June 2020
Top 10 tips: Controlling the controllable It will be a long road to recovery in the post-COVID world but the Crane Association of New Zealand’s Past President, Scott McLeod, has 10 tips that should make life slightly easier in this month’s Technical Corner. Taking a page out of the Crane Industry Council of Australia Chief Executive Officer Brandon Hitch’s book – being able to control the controllable adds a much-needed calmness during a crisis. So, here are top ten COVID-19 business and technical tips: 1.Get on the same page The first tip is to ensure you’re always up to date with the Government’s COVID-19 website. The Government’s ongoing advice is crucially important right now. And it’s in our interest, as business owners and employers, to implement government strategies within our everyday business approach. That will mean our businesses are just as strong and consistent moving forward. That will be especially important as our country moves from Alert Level 2 to 1, and the need for ongoing contact tracing to ensure the population’s health and safety. So, we want to make sure we help New Zealand become world-leading in contact tracing. CLICK HERE to read the full article. June 2020
Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE) update On Thursday 14 May 2020, the Minister of Education, Hon Chris Hipkins, announced the formation of all six Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) would be fast-tracked for establishment by a target date of October 2020, ahead of the original target of mid-2021, to help support New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery. COVID-19 has resulted in unprecedented impacts on New Zealand industry, employers, learners and communities. As a result, there is an urgent need for a strong, unified, sustainable vocational education and training system to help lessen the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. WDCs are at the heart of this system and their early influence will be critical in making sure that investment is well targeted and supports business growth alongside great careers. CLICK HERE to read the full article Another month, another newsletter, and yet another few weeks in lockdown – albeit this time at Alert level 3.
This newsletter, Scott McLeod has prepared some advice about how best to prepare your businesses and employees ahead of the eventual return to life without lockdown. And the NZ Transport Agency shares with us how best our industry can help them in future projects, once they begin to ramp up work throughout the country again. Regretfully, with recent Government guidelines on mass gatherings and travel restrictions, we’ve made the decision to postpone the 2020 CANZ Conference until next 14-16 July 2021. Given the pandemic’s ongoing uncertainty, and with the health and safety of our delegates, exhibitors, guest speakers, and staff our primary concern, we thought it best to decide early. CLICK HERE to read the full article. Work is set to get back underway on state highway projects around the country after New Zealand moved to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 on Tuesday 28 April.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency General Manager Transport Services Brett Gliddon says Waka Kotahi has been working closely with its contractors and with Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ) to plan for a safe return to work following the end of the Level 4 lockdown period. While some essential state highway maintenance work has continued during the lockdown in order to keep the network safe for the movement of essential goods and to support lifeline functions, all non-essential maintenance work and capital project work was stopped with the move to Alert Level 4 on March 26. Mr Gliddon says work on Waka Kotahi projects and non-essential state highway maintenance work will be able to resume under Level 3, but with strict health and safety protocols. CLICK HERE to read the full article. As the country begins its new normal under COVID-19 Alert level 3 restrictions, the right policies and procedures are vitally important when gearing up for work.
Crane Association of New Zealand Past-President, Scott McLeod, says a good place to start is the Construction Health and Safety NZ website. They’ve undertaken a significant piece of work – the New Zealand COVID-19 Construction Protocols – to provide a ‘how to’ guide that supports businesses preparation under the new alert level. These protocols are a living document which will be kept updated by a working party of health and safety practitioners from across industry and can be adapted on a site by site basis. Scott was quick to download the guide to develop policies and procedures for his business. CLICK HERE to read the full article. Questions have arisen over the possibility of RUC refunds on RUC purchases that relate to vehicles now parked up as a result of the Level 4 lockdown.
NZTA’s Kelvin Lloyd, the convener of a recent freight operator meeting, reported that Tash Wiggins, a member of NZTA’s revenue assessment team, has set up an email that operators can send in requests for refunds. That is, [email protected] Click here to READ MORE |
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