Health & safety

At ABL, we take safety seriously, and we’re proud to be the region’s number one safety-conscious crew. But keeping our work sites and trades teams safe takes a concerted effort – safety can never be left to chance. That means continually cultivating and emphasizing a strong Health & Safety work culture so that safety becomes not only a practice but an attitude.

Systems

ABL continuously reviews and improves its Health & Safety management systems, and for many years now has consistently passed independent audits using ACC’s Workplace Safety Management Practice (WSMP) tool. This programme has provided a more rigorous structure to ABL’s approach to Health & Safety, and given the company a more consistent means of measuring improvements in performance. The WSMP system is based on the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems AS/NZS 4801.

Training

All ABL employees have to successfully complete a Site Safe Commercial Passport construction safety training programme, while all Leading Hands/Foremen have to complete a two-day intensive Site Safe Gold Card programme with a refresher course every two years.

But passing one course isn’t enough; ABL expects everyone in the company – from the Director to the site crews – to participate in ongoing Health & Safety training programmes including Leadership in Safety, Supervisor Gold Card and Workplace Safety Training courses run by Site Safe. A number of ABL staff have even achieved or are working towards a National Certificate in Construction Site Safety.

Industry Contribution

• ABL is an acknowledged leader in construction Health & Safety in New Zealand.
• ABL employees were actively involved in establishing an Otago/Southland construction industry liaison group to promote a stronger commitment to Health & Safety in the region.
• ABL is a member of Site Safe and regularly reviews and develops key Site Safe documentation such as the Site Specific Safety Plan, a plan used by many contractors and subcontractors throughout New Zealand.
• ABL contributes to Health & Safety in the construction industry nationally through the Registered Master Builders Federation by reviewing safety programmes, responding to proposed Legislative changes affecting industry work practices, and in its ongoing working relationship with the ACC.