SCAFFOLDING SAFETY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 14

SCAFFOLDING SAFETY

Bill Tightens Regulations (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sept 23. A Construction Bill to replace the Scaffolding and Excavation Act, 1922, was introduced and read a first time in the House of Representatives today. Its sponsor, the Minister of Labour (Mr Hackett), said its provisions would tighten up existing legislation “very considerably.' One of its main provisions required a rigid inspection of all safety material in various types of construction work. It was not proposed to proceed with the bill this session, said Mr Hackett. Mr Hackett said the bill was the result of findings by an advisory committee which had been set up after the scaffolding at the D.I.C. building in Wellington collapsed last year. Provision is made for the appointment of a ihief inspector and inspectors on probation and their powers are defined. A new clause provides for the appointment of a safety officer before the commencement of certain classes of construction work. Where the nature of any construction work is such as to require the appointment of more than one safety officer, the inspector may require the appointment of additional officers who will be responsible for seeing that the safety provisions of the prooosed legislation are complied with. In general, the bill prescribes safety rules relating to the carrying out of construction and excavation work in which scaffolding, lifting apoliances and explosives are used. The bill will be referred to the Labour Bills Committee for further examination.