News Blog

It may be an old-fashioned adage, but when you relate it to safety in the roofing industry it is always relevant. Safety processes in the roofing industry have come a long way since I joined the industry 10 years ago.  There has been a significant improvement in the plant that is used on site; EWP’s, edge protection, scaffold, safety nets, and the list goes on. However, all that accounts for nothing if the attitudes and culture of the people involved in the project reflects a “she’ll be right” or a, “it won’t happen to me”, thought process.

Whether in the commercial or residential building sector the risks are all the same for those who work at height. We all know a fall from height can be catastrophic for everyone involved. One way to help prevent this from happening is to ensure that the workers have a self-preservation attitude. I encourage all those who work for CS Roofing Canterbury to be self-centred. I know that you are probably thinking that this is a strange thing to say, I’ll explain why…. I can provide policies and procedures, but I need them to believe that their safety really does come down to a personal level, and their desire to not get injured.

If when planning work for the day, an individual worker is thinking about plans for the weekend and looking forward to spending time with friends and family, then it would stand to reason that somewhere in the thought process they are thinking, what do I need to do today to make sure that I’m going to make it safely to the weekend?  What do I need to do for my own self-preservation?  The flow on effect of this is, when they are involved in the daily planning meeting on site they are already thinking about their own safety and then that of the team, and others on site.

I have seen a significant change in attitudes over the past 10 years, and it is pleasing to see that the Kiwi “she’ll be right” attitude is abating. However, I’m not so naive as to think that it does not exist. The challenge for us all, is to ensure that we are not the ones riding high on our own pride and putting ourselves and others at risk.  We all have limitations in our knowledge, and still have plenty of things to learn about construction safety which is improving and evolving constantly.  To acknowledge those gaps and work collaboratively with those who can provide guidance to keep you safe is an attitude asset that will serve you well.

Progressive work culture and positive attitudes from every member of the team whether on site or in the planning office will always play a part in the safety of our people. Site safety is both a team and personal journey. It is up to everyone to make sure that they don’t let their pride get in the way of their or someone else’s safety.

Jenny Maxwell, CS Roofing

Join the Construction Clients’ Group for a Safety in Design Practice Forum.

The forum will bring stakeholder together to share, debate and develop consistency of practice for the health, safety and welfare of everyone we affect by our activities.  

When:  Thursday, 22nd October 2020

TIme.  1.00pm – 2.15pm

Where: National Virtual Event – MS Teams Link

NAWIC is growing and celebrating excellence!

The National Association of Women in Construction is growing with a new Queenstown Lakes chapter due to launch on 15^th October 2020. We are proud to be able to now include and inspire more women in the region with this expansion. If you are working, living in or just visiting Queenstown Lakes district on the night then please register to come along to the event and show your support, maybe we can inspire you to join:

In late September as celebration of the planned launch, and to inspire our members with some of the amazing things happening down south, the Canterbury Chapter of NAWIC held a Queenstown Lakes Introductory Event in conjunction with the local Annual Regional Meeting. Hosted at the Buchan offices it was a successful evening with delicious food, a few drinks and two inspiring speakers, with Rick Herd, Naylor Love’s CEO and Charlotte McLachlan, Buchan’s Senior Associate presenting. Both inspired us with presentations focussed on the Queenstown Lakes district, with Rick Herd also touching on his passion for timber construction and the Notorious RGB! He was followed by Charlotte McLachlan sharing her passion not only for great interior design, but also for living in the area.

For a number of years NAWIC have been celebrating the success of amazing women in the construction industry at the NAWIC Excellence Awards. Unfortunately, our 2020 awards had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 but we are excited to announce that our next awards will be held on the 7^th May 2021 at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Auckland.

Entries are now open to the 2021 NAWIC Excellence Awards supported by BCITO! Please go to our website to nominate a NAWIC member you think is deserving, or encourage an amazing women to join NAWIC so that she can be included in the awards. All the information about the categories can be found on our website.

If you wish to learn more about NAWIC or see what events are coming up that are open to Non-members please visit the website, or follow find us on Instagram or facebook. Maybe we can inspire you to join and help us support women in construction.

Sonia Barker, Canterbury Chapter Chairperson