Construction work involves a dynamic working environment where hazards, if not prevented, can often pose sudden and immediate risk to workers. A large number of injury and fatality claims are recorded in the construction industry.
What is the impact of injuries?
Injuries in the construction industry are high, with the cost of all claims in the last year costing over $100 million. Noise induced hearing loss is a major cause of injury in the construction industry with claims costing over $8.7 million.
In the 2007/2008 financial year, 50% of fatal ACC injury claims were attributed to the construction industry.
Contact construction@acc.co.nz for further information on the number and cost of the most common injuries in the construction sector.
What can I do to reduce injuries?
Make your workplace safer with ACC’s comprehensive safety information for managing hazards commonly found in your industry. This information is presented in fact sheet format and includes the possible hazards and recommended safe work practices. You can download a copy of the ACC WorkSafe - construction (PDF809K).
Businesses within the construction industry may qualify for up to 10% discount off their levies by demonstrating safe working practices. See Workplace Safety Discounts for further information.
WorkSafe programme
Use ACC’s key work safety programmes to establish health and safety systems and help keep your business injury-free. For further information see:
Ladder safety
Ladders play a major role on the work site but when use incorrectly can result in serious injury. For information on ladder safety see Safety tips for ladder use.
What other help is available?
We have a range of tools and resources in our Publications page to help you identify and manage hazards typical to your workplace.
Related websites
Use these external links to find more information:
New Zealand
- Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO)
- Department of Building and Housing
- New Zealand Construction Industry Council
- New Zealand Institute of Highway Technology
- Crane Association of New Zealand
- SiteSafe
- Building Research Association of New Zealand
- New Zealand Contractors Federation
- Roading New Zealand
- Registered Master Builders Federation
- Certified Builders Association of New Zealand
International
- Health and safety in the construction Industry (UK Health and Safety Executive)
- Construction Safety Association of Ontario
- Workplace Health and Safety (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, Queensland, Australia)
- WorkSafe Victoria (Australia)
- WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Australia)
- NT WorkSafe (Northern Territory, Australia)
- SafeWork South Australia
- WorkCover Tasmania
- WorkSafe Western Australia
- Australian Building and Construction Commissioner
Last updated: 18February2010