Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

‘Secure materials’ on building sites

The Labour Department is writing to local contractors reminding them of their obligations to secure building materials and tools on building sites. The reminder is because of trouble caused when a southerly front hit Christchurch last Friday evening, sending building materials flying from two multi-storey building sites.

The police cordoned part of the inner city as a precaution as the wind, gusting to more than 70 knots, lifted materials. The supervising construction safety Inspector in the Labour Department in Christchurch, Mr George Pitcher, said the reminder to contractors would be timely with the summer months bringing blustery north-west winds. Mr Pitcher said the Construction Regulations, 1961, clearly outlined the requirement for tools, equipment and materials

to be fastened securely on building sites. He said inspectors were investigating the two incidents on Friday, one of which appeared to have resulted from a plumbers’ leaving several planks on the roof of a partly constructed building. “I was ringing round a few contractors on Friday evening to check on their sites,” he said.

Mr Pitcher said contractors normally conformed to the regulations. Many had foreseen Friday’s southerly and had secured materials. “We are writing to all major contractors and to all safety supervisors and foremen,” he said. Mr Pitcher said the increase in high-rise buildings in the city was creating wind tunnels between buildings. Wind hitting a tall building often went up, increasing the chances of lifting off loose material.

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19871006.2.83

Bibliographic details

Press, 6 October 1987, Page 9

Word Count
242

‘Secure materials’ on building sites Press, 6 October 1987, Page 9

‘Secure materials’ on building sites Press, 6 October 1987, Page 9