Tradies and small businesses focus of free occupational health sessions.

Smaller construction companies in Christchurch are lining up to put their workers through free occupational health sessions next week.

More than a dozen companies will be visited on mainly residential sites throughout the city by WorkSafe New Zealand’s occupational health van.

The sessions will include blood pressure checks as well as information and support around alcohol and drugs, dust, noise and fatigue.

“These are all significant issues facing construction workers in Canterbury right now,” says WorkSafe’s Project Manager Donna Burt.

“It’s an opportunity to get in front of them, remind them about keeping themselves healthy and protecting themselves from common risks they face every day on site.

“We will have occupational health nurses there to check their protective gear, such as face masks and also to check their blood pressure,” Ms Burt says.

It’s the third time the van has been out in the city.

“We took the van out in March and July last year and had a fantastic response. Those on site really appreciated the support and checks, as did their managers,” Ms Burt says.

Jenni Jackson from Brymac Tiles says the presentations were really engaging and even led to changes to combat fatigue.

“One of our men stopped his boot camp 6am starts before work due to being too tired on the job.”

The van will be out from 7-11 March.

“This time we will also be focusing on how to make sure health and safety is still a priority with the number of different workers and organisations that can be on one site,” says Ms Burt.

“You or your company may be doing everything right, but if another tradesperson turns up and doesn’t have the same focus on health and safety it can all come undone,” she says.

Article courtesy of WorkSafe NZ

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