Deciding on your new timber joinery, whether for a new or existing home, is a complex decision. Timber joinery is timeless in appearance and will suit modern architectural or traditional building methods. But not all timber joinery is created equal. There is quality timber joinery and there is cheap timber joinery, but there is no cheap, quality timber joinery. So …
There will be a subtle name change when Scaffolding, Access & Rigging NZ releases its new industry guidelines later this year, says chief executive Graham Burke. “We are calling the new document Good Practice Guidelines for Scaffolding rather than Best Practice Guidelines, as we believe the name Good Practice is a better reflection of minimum requirements. There can be a …
Following a series of regional events that involved building children’s playhouses, twelve regional champions gathered in Wellington over 26-28 May for the national final of the Certified Builders Carpentry Apprentice Challenge. Clement Richer, 34, from Herne Bay, Auckland, took away the top prize. Second place was awarded to Wade Puklowski, 23, from Nelson, and third to Adam Johnson, 24, from …
It’s no surprise that a shortage of skilled people has been identified as the most critical challenge facing the scaffolding industry in a recent survey sent out to members of the Scaffolding, Access & Rigging NZ Inc (SARNZ). “Like most sectors involved in construction, we have a lack of skilled people available to meet the current demand,” says the association’s …
Scaffolding, Access & Rigging NZ (SARNZ) has come a long way since its inception in 1994, when it was formed by a group of scaffolders and riggers getting together to talk about industry issues. The organisation has recently appointed Graham Burke as its first ever chief executive, a newly created full time position. In his challenging new role, Graham will …
SARNZ chief executive Graham Burke has some sound advice for anyone engaging a scaffold specialist: “Work as a team.” “It is all about relationships. If construction companies work closely together with a scaffold operation as a team, rather than jumping from contractor to contractor on every job in search of the cheapest price, they will have a better outcome. With …
With people “clamouring” to get scaffolding tickets, there is huge demand on SARNZ and industry training providers to provide appropriate training and qualifications. “With the increasing need for skilled, trained scaffolders and riggers, the industry needs to develop its training programmes to ensure standards continue to improve and evolve,” says SARNZ chief executive Graham Burke. This is particularly critical from …
SARNZ is gearing up for its 2016 Annual Conference, which will be held on 18th and 19th August in Tauranga. The theme of the event is Training the Future of our Industry, which will cover not just industry training, but training in the broader sense. “The importance of developing a strong business culture is another theme we will be exploring …
Revised guidelines expected later this year will provide clarity around the rules for scaffold inspections for both scaffolds under and over five metres. However companies still need to be clear on the existing rules, especially when it comes to tagging scaffold under five metres high, says SARNZ chief executive Graham Burke. “There is a lot of discussion around whether scaffold …
Bringing in more migrant workers could help ease the skill shortage in the scaffolding sector short term. However the path needs to be smoothed for those interested in settling in New Zealand long term, says SARNZ chief executive, Graham Burke. “Scaffolding is not currently on the Skilled Occupations List, which means migrant workers struggle to get visas to work in …
Marking the 10-year anniversary of industry organisation Steel Construction New Zealand (SCNZ) has been a good opportunity to reflect on the progress of the steel sector in New Zealand, says manager Alistair Fussell. “It wasn’t long ago that steel lagged behind other construction materials in multi-level construction. Now it has a 50 percent market share in New Zealand, with around …
Around 110 SCNZ members, their partners and clients attended the organisation’s 10th Anniversary Members’ Forum and Social at Queenstown in April. SCNZ manager Alistair Fussell opened the general forum sessions with a presentation celebrating the history of SCNZ and the “remarkable” people who contributed to its success. The organisation existed under several different incarnations (under the guidance of HERA) before …
The rise of fabricated steelwork imported from low costs economies is the biggest challenge facing the structural steel industry in New Zealand, says Steel Construction New Zealand manager, Alistair Fussell. “Learning to live with this challenge is a key focus of SCNZ and the industry moving forward. Clients have choices in a global market. Our industry has to continue to …
Construction is progressing well on the new Christchurch Adventure Park, which is expected to bring international attention as well as numerous social and economic benefits to the Canterbury region. When she turned the first sod, to mark the start of construction at the park back in March Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel said the park would attract young people to the …
Not all risks on a construction site are obvious. Some you can’t even see, such as toxic fumes and asbestos fibres in the air. But out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. Hazardous substances can do just as much damage as a regular workplace accident. In fact they can do more. WorkSafe New Zealand estimates that 20 times as …
The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) is delighted to welcome Warwick Quinn as its new Chief Executive starting this week. Mr Quinn is the former Chief Executive of the Motor Trades Association (MTA) and was the Chief Executive of the Registered Master Builders Association for seven years. He is well known and well respected in the building and …
The Fire Protection Association of New Zealand (FPANZ) has forged closer ties with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) over the last year, with the two organisations working together on several key initiatives, says Scott Lawson, FPANZ executive director. “MBIE is actively engaging us as industry experts. We are sitting with them on a number of working groups …
All business owners need to be aware of their fire safety responsibilities something that is especially critical in mixed used buildings. While a building’s fire safety features are clearly outlined in the Building Warrant of Fitness (BWOF) and compliance schedule, in multi-tenanted buildings identifying who is responsible for maintaining certain fire safety features designed to protect the building’s occupants can …
Dedication and commitment to ensuring New Zealand builders and building owners get the very best quality finished product is the aim of the Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association of New Zealand (FTMA), says chairman, Robert Grimmer. “We represent the majority of the prefabricated timber framing industry in New Zealand, and are leading the way to ensure that prefabricated timber wall …
Regular communication with its members around legislative changes is one of the key roles of the Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association, says chairman Robert Grimmer. “The vast majority of our members are small operators, with anywhere from five to 20 staff. They are not always in a position, or have the time to investigate and understand the implications of legislative …
The major review of NZ Standard 3604 during 2010/ 2011 has provided greater clarity for frame and truss manufacturers around responsibility and reliability, but has also added new layers of administrative work, says FTMA chairman, Robert Grimmer. “This is a key standard and is considered to be the bible on methods and details for the design and construction of timber-framed …
Training is a big part of the offering of the Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association, which has been actively involved in the development and delivery of NZQA approved qualifications since 2001. The Association has worked closely with the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) in the development of the National Certificate in Frame & Truss Manufacture (Level 3) which …
Timber has been a material of choice for New Zealand homes since the arrival of the first European settlers, with many nineteenth century homes constructed in timber still in use today. Robert Grimmer, chairman of the Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association says the benefits of timber are widely known, and with today’s focus on sustainability and high performance eco-homes, the …
The Frame and Truss Manufacturers’ Association is undertaking a review of the Health and Safety section of its Code of Practice, and encourages all members to keep up to date with the changes to health and safety legislation in New Zealand. “We strongly encourage our fabricator members to be health and safety compliant, and take all practicable steps to ensure …
Preparations for this year’s NZ Concrete Industry Conference – scheduled for 6 – 8 October at Auckland’s Ellerslie Event Centre – are progressing well. Conference organisers say the Ellerslie venue is ideally located with quick, easy access from the motorway and unlimited free parking for delegates. It’s also an excellent venue for equipment displays by sponsors and trade exhibitors with …
The Brick and Blocklayers Federation of New Zealand (BBFNZ) is introducing new initiatives to drive cohesiveness within the masonry trades, says chief executive Melanie McIver. “Fragmentation has been an issue for the Federation, given we have 14 independent regional associations, as well as the Masonry Manufacturers Council under our umbrella, with each setting their own meetings. While our networks support …
The Consequences of the Health and Safety Reforms Introduction The Construction Contracts Act 2002 (“CCA”) came into force on 1 April 2003, and significantly reformed the law relating to construction contracts. The objective of the legislation was to dramatically change the framework of cashflow in the industry, by facilitating regular and timely payment between the parties to a construction contract. …
Are you running a business (for example, building, roofing, or plumbing) with workers who may disturb or remove asbestos or asbestos-containing material (ACM)? In April, changes were made to the regulations governing work involving asbestos. Asbestos regulations were updated to bring New Zealand into line with other countries. With more than 170 New Zealand workers dying each year from asbestos-related …
The latest edition of guidelines for the safe management and removal of asbestos will have wide range implications for the entire New Zealand construction sector, says Terry Coleman, secretary of the New Zealand Demolition and Asbestos Association (NZDAA). “It is very important that people working across all sub trades have training, similar to Site Safe training, in the identification, management …
Auckland University’s new Faculty of Engineering Research, Building 906, home to one of Australasia’s largest earthquake testing facilities, was named Supreme Award winner at the recent New Zealand Commercial Project Awards, held in Auckland. Created by the team of Scarbro Construction, Jasmax Architects, and engineers RCP, the newly constructed Civil Engineering Test Facility – housing a nine-metre structure test hall …
