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The News Paper
This section of the website is for News and curant affairs of interest to drivers, if you have a news item you think other drivers will be interested in, Contact Drivertek, however the editor(Me) will have the final say about what goes in and what does not, all stories must be verifiable.
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Recent Health & Safety news in New Zealand
One dead, three others contracted new strain of legionnaires in Chch, linked to potting mix or garden compost
26 October 2005 - One person is dead and another three have contracted a new strain of legionnaires disease in Christchurch. It is linked to potting mix or gardening compost and is not connected to the previous outbreak in the city. That outbreak affected 19 people, killing three of them, and was linked to cooling towers.
Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey says gardeners should be warned about the latest cases. He says people should open bags of soil products slowly and keep them away from their face. Dr Humphrey says legionella thrives in compost bins.
Amputation prosecutions just the tip of iceberg
Hand and finger amputations are occurring, on average, more than three times a week in New Zealand workplaces.
The Department of Labour this week successfully prosecuted meat processing company PPCS, after a chiller hand and cleaner at Richmond Takapau lost parts of two fingers in a meat pulveriser. The machine had been turned off, but was still winding down when the man put his hand in to remove some trapped meat. PPCS was fined $5000 and ordered to pay the worker $12,000 in compensation. Another five companies are currently facing prosecution over finger amputations.
Department health and safety chief advisor Mike Cosman said hand and finger amputations were the most common traumatic accident in New Zealand workplaces. Since 1997, the Department had been advised of more than 1500 amputations, and had taken more than 200 prosecutions since the Health and Safety in Employment Act came into force in 1993. "On average, 14 people suffer finger and hand amputations at work every month, and the Department prosecutes an average of 18 companies or individuals every year. Court penalties alone for amputations have cost almost $1.5 million over the past 12 years - a staggering amount lost to industry,” Cosman said.
Fixed machinery accounted for the majority of amputations, with saws and cutting and mincing equipment the most often to blame. Cleaning and maintenance, as well as routine operation, posed the greatest risk. Amputations were most likely to occur in the food processing industry, which includes meat processing, and the metal and wood product manufacturing industries.
More information on the social and economic impact of workplace accidents can be found at www.osh.dol.govt
Old News
The first person to be killed in an auto accident in the United States was Henry H. Bliss, a 68-year-old real estate broker. On September 14, 1899, in New York City, Mr. Bliss stepped from a streetcar, turned to assist a woman passenger, and was hit by a cab.
The Travellers Insurance Company probably issued the first accident policy in the United States to James Bolter of Hartford, Connecticut, in 1864. The policy covered Mr. Bolter for his walk from his job at the Post Office to his home on Buckingham Street. Cost of the premium: 2 cents.
The first fatal plane accident occurred on September 17, 1908 - - the pilot in that crash was none other than Orville Wright. In mid-flight, the propeller broke and the plane plunged 150 feet. Orville suffered multiple hip and leg fractures but Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge of the U.S. Signal Corps., who was also on board, died.
Frews Transport Scholarship
At the Darfield High School on the Canterbury Plains, Mervyn Frew of Frews Transport announced a new scholarship for DarfieldHigh School students.
The Frews Transport scholarship will allow two students from the rural College to obtain their Class 2 Heavy Vehicle Licence.
The sponsorship covers all costs including Government fees and will be presented annually at the Senior Prise-giving.
Mervyn Frew and Frews Transport have been long time supporters of the College with their other student scholarships and this new venture gives something back to the transport industry as well.
As Managing Director of Drivertek International Ltd, Mervyn Frew asked me if I would like to participate and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be involved in this scholarship.
If every transport company in New Zealand sponsored just one student per year from their local college, the current driver shortage problem would be solved, before it started.
To help create a better climate for this solution to work, I am prepared to offer the same arrangement that I have with Frew’s Transport, to all interested companies throughout New Zealand.
I believe that if we are not part of the solution, then we are part of the problem.
Let’s solve it, once and for all.
That man deserves a DB
Hiring Overseas Drivers
Hiring a driver from overseas is now a lot easier in New Zealand. After 12 months of negotiation by the Road Transport Forum, in December the NZ Immigration Service added truck drivers to its Immediate Skill Shortage List.
Transport company owners no longer need to show they can’t find a suitable driver in NZ. All they have to do is make a job offer. The would-be driver does the rest to get a work permit, though giving contact details to Immigration probably speeds the process.
Application details for the driver are on www.immigration.govt.nz A New Zealand recognised class 5 Licence, NZQA unit standard 17577 or a class 4 with three years experience is recommended, but it is possible for drivers with lessor qualifications to get approval.
Permits are for 2 years but can be extended and the driver can apply for residency.
Reprinted from the RTF Trucking Brief Vol 24 No1 |
