Latest news with #andSafety
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Clearer Rules And Prequalification Guidance To Support Construction
Hon Brooke van Velden Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety As part of wider Government health and safety reforms, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden will be consulting with builders and construction professionals to improve productivity. 'We're simplifying scaffolding rules and streamlining the prequalification process to make them more practical and better aligned with the level of risk. 'I have heard concerns from the construction sector that scaffolding rules are too complex,' says Ms van Velden. The current rules have led to a common view that scaffolding should be used in all situations regardless of risk. This has resulted in the overuse of costly scaffolding when it isn't required for safety. 'Over-compliance needlessly drags down construction productivity, increasing building time and costs for the sector, and impacting new builds and Kiwi homeowners. "My officials will be consulting on proposed new rules that will let people choose safe options based on how dangerous the job is. Officials are currently refining options for a risk-based hierarchy of controls for work at heights (i.e. when to use ladders, harnesses, scaffolding) to test with industry,' says Ms van Velden. 'Changes will ensure scaffolding use is better aligned with the level of risk. If it's not very risky, they will not need to use expensive scaffolding. For example, they will be considering whether a ladder could be used instead of scaffolding for a simple roof gutter repair or minor electrical maintenance when working at height. 'I believe changes to scaffolding rules should help reduce costs and speed up work for tradies, construction firms, homeowners and anyone else who needs construction, painting, maintenance or other work done at height. 'One of the other common themes I heard on the roadshow was frustration with the wide range of prequalification systems and the time and money they take to complete. I have listened, which is why I am acting to help this sector. 'Businesses feel like they have to jump through hoops to tick a compliance box when getting prequalified, even though the prequalification often involves little reflection of the real-world risks workers face. Some have said they have walked away from clients as the cost of getting prequalified is not worth the value of the work. 'A lack of consistency across providers means that suppliers need to get a new prequalification for every job they tender for, with one submitter saying they completed 76 in a year. That's not a good use of anyone's time or money. 'I've asked WorkSafe to work with industry to revise its prequalification guidance, including developing free-to-use templates to improve national consistency.' There is also a need for clearer guidance on overlapping duties. This is when multiple businesses share responsibility for managing risks on the same site, such as when builders and drainlayers are both working on the same site and must work together to manage risks. 'I have asked WorkSafe to develop an Approved Code of Practice [ACOP] on clarifying overlapping duties, as the current ambiguity may be encouraging the over-use of prequalifications in situations where it is not necessary. Clearer guidance will help businesses understand when and how they need to work together to manage risks.' Work is also underway to update the scaffolding certificate of competence categories, with a review of certificate fees to follow. These certificates show what types of scaffolding work a person is qualified to carry out, from basic to more advanced scaffolding. 'Concerns have been raised about the distinction between qualifications and actual competency. Many feel that on-the-job experience should be better recognised. There's also confusion about what constitutes sufficient training, and frustration with inconsistent advice from regulators. 'After consultation, I will be seeking Cabinet approval to update the categories and fees to ensure they better reflect current costs and industry best practice. 'I am confident that these changes, which are designed to address the concerns of the construction sector, will support safe and more efficient practices,' says Ms van Velden. 'These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut red-tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.' Notes: These changes are part of the wider health and safety reform, which delivers on the ACT-National Coalition Agreement commitment to reform health and safety laws and regulations. Prequalification is a common way construction businesses check if a company or contractor is ready and able to do a construction job safely, before they're allowed to bid for or start work. Prequalifications are also often used by businesses outside of the construction sector – for example, local councils using them for groundskeeping tenders. However, prequalifications are most prominently used in the construction industry. A summary of all the changes and major milestones: Amend the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations to simplify the scaffolding rule for construction, including the general work at height 3-metre rule. Targeted stakeholder consultation July - Sept 2025 Cabinet decisions in November/December Commencement mid 2026 Amend the Health and Safety in Employment Regs to update the fee for scaffolding certificates of competence. Targeted stakeholder consultation July - Dec 2025 Cabinet decisions in March 2026 Commencement mid 2026 Amend the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations to update the scaffolding certificate of competence definitions Cabinet LEG decisions Aug Commencement Sep 2025 WorkSafe will work with the industry to revise prequalification guidance and clarify overlapping duties by developing a construction roles and responsibilities ACOP. Targeted stakeholder consultation Aug - Sep 2025 Develop guidance and ACOP Oct 2025 – April 2026
Time Business News
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Streamline Compliance with EHS Management Software Solutions
Keeping up with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) rules can be tough for many businesses. Rules change often, and companies need to stay on top of them to avoid fines or risks to employees and the environment. Doing this with paper systems or spreadsheets can be slow and full of mistakes. That's where EHS management software comes in. These tools help companies manage safety and compliance in a faster, easier, and more organized way. What Is EHS Management Software? EHS management software is a digital tool that helps businesses handle safety, health, and environmental tasks. This includes: tracking incidents scheduling inspections logging audits managing employee training following government rules Instead of using separate systems or manual processes, the software brings everything together in one place. Check out Cloud Enterprise EHS management software to learn more about it. Why Use EHS Software for Compliance? Meeting safety and environmental regulations is not just about avoiding fines-it's about protecting people, the environment, and your company's reputation. EHS software makes this easier by helping businesses stay organized, informed, and in control. Here are some reasons: Keeps You on Track Automatically EHS software helps businesses stay up to date with rules and deadlines. It can send reminders when it's time for a safety check, permit renewal, or training session. It also keeps track of changing laws and updates the system so you don't miss anything important. Shows You What's Happening in Real Time The software collects and updates safety and compliance data as it happens. This means you can quickly spot problems and fix them before they grow. With clear dashboards and reports, teams can make better decisions and respond faster to risks. Cuts Down on Errors Manual systems can lead to mistakes, like missing information or wrong entries. EHS software reduces human error by using forms, checklists, and digital records. This makes reports more accurate and easier to find during audits or inspections. Helps Everyone Work Together Many EHS tools are cloud-based, so workers can access them from anywhere on a laptop, tablet, or phone. This makes it easy for teams in different places to share updates, report incidents, and follow safety steps in real time. Everyone stays informed and connected. Grows with Your Business EHS software can be customized to fit the needs of your company and industry. Whether you're a small business or a large global company, the system can grow with you. You can add new users, features, or locations as your needs change. More Than Just Compliance Besides helping you follow the rules, EHS software also improves your company in other ways. It helps find the root cause of problems, so you can fix them for good. This lowers risks, avoids costly accidents, and builds a safer work culture. It also shows that your company takes safety seriously, which is important to employees, partners, and customers. Start Using EHS Management Software Today EHS management software makes it easier for businesses to stay safe, follow the rules, and avoid problems. It saves time, reduces mistakes, and keeps everyone on the same page. As safety and environmental rules get more complex, using EHS software is no longer optional, it's the smart way forward. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How Asian Consulting Engineers is driving excellence for Indian MSMEs
Live Events In 2003, Asian Consulting Engineers Pvt Ltd (ACE) established itself as a modest environmental consultancy firm with a mission: to solve sustainability challenges with technical excellence. In the 22 years since, it has become a domain expert for Indian MSMEs looking to merge commercial success with societal specialises in environmental assessments, water resources and wastewater management, infrastructure planning, and rural development. The company, however, goes beyond traditional environmental consulting, which is most accessible to large corporations. It caters to small manufacturers that lack the expertise and resources to handle complex assessments and compliance requirements essential for operations. This has benefited MSMEs, especially in water-intensive industries such as food production, textile manufacturing, and chemical processing, that need to expand operations, secure funding, or enter markets where environmental compliance is helping enterprises achieve environmental compliance and operational efficiency, ACE has contributed to the credibility and competitiveness of India's manufacturing sector. This is particularly significant for export-oriented MSMEs, where international buyers demand proof of environmentally-responsible operations. Under the leadership of Abhaye Mahajan, Director, and Chairperson Suparnaa Mulick, ACE has completed more than 380 projects across 17 countries, including landmark assignments with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. It helped implement Delhi's 24‑hour water‑supply initiative and assisted Gujarat's rural water sanitation mission. By deploying Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) audits, GIS‑based monitoring, and mathematical modelling for MSMEs, ACE also opened doors for MSMEs to partner with giants such as the Adani Group, Reliance, Coca-Cola, and expertise in environmental regulations has made it an international force to contend with. Its network of global partners has translated into <95% of its total revenue coming from exports in the last three years ending FY24. Putting India on the map has earned the company multiple honours, including the Top Exporter of the Year (Service) accolade at the ET MSME Awards 2024, India's most prestigious MSME over two decades, ACE has proven that environmental compliance need not be a barrier to sustainable growth. Instead, with the right expertise and guidance, it can become a foundation for market differentiation and long-term competitiveness in an environmentally-conscious more winner vignettes of the ET MSME Awards , keep an eye on this space.
Mint
10-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Jainik Power Cables IPO booked 60% so far on first bidding day; check GMP, other key details
Jainik Power Cables Ltd IPO has opened for subscription on Tuesday, June 10 and close on Thursday, June 12. Jainik Power Cables IPO price band has been fixed in the range of ₹ 100 to ₹ 110 per equity share of face value of ₹ 10 each. Bids can be made for a minimum of 1,200 equity shares and in multiples of 1,200 equity shares thereafter. Jainik Power Cables began manufacturing aluminum wire rods in 2023 and has accumulated over a decade of experience in the metal industry, having previously been involved in aluminum rod trading. The company produces and supplies aluminum wire rods while adhering to Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards, as shown by its ISO certifications. Its Quality Assurance Department conducts purity evaluations using spectrometers to detect hidden impurities. The organization sells its products in the areas of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. According to the red herring prospectus (RHP), the company has comparable listed competitors, including Hind Aluminium Industries Ltd (with a P/E of 13.73) and Arfin India Ltd (with a P/E of 43.23). Jainik Power Cables IPO subscription status is 60%, on day 1, so far. The retail portion was subscribed 74%, and NII portion was booked 59%. The company has received bids for 26,43,600 shares against 44,29,200 shares on offer, at 15:20 IST, according to data on Jainik Power Cables IPO consists of a fresh issue of 46,63,200 equity shares, aggregating to ₹ 51.30 crore. There's no offer for sale (OFS) component. The Jainik Power Cables IPO intends to utilise the net proceeds from the offering for various purposes, such as fulfilling working capital requirements, establishing and financing a plant, partially repaying the company's loans, covering general corporate expenses, and addressing costs related to the issuance. Fast Track Finsec Pvt Ltd serves as the main lead manager for the Jainik Power Cables IPO, while Skyline Financial Services Private Ltd is responsible for the registry of the offering. The market-making role for the Jainik Power and Cables IPO is fulfilled by Rikhav Securities Limited. Jainik Power Cables IPO GMP today or grey market premium was ₹ 0, which meant shares were trading at their issue price of ₹ 110 with no premium or discount in the grey market according to 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
Mint
06-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Upcoming IPO: Jainik Power and Cables IPO opens on June 10; issue price band set at ₹100-110 apiece; check GMP
Upcoming IPO: Jainik Power and Cables Ltd IPO will open for subscription on Tuesday, June 10 and close on Thursday, June 12. Jainik Power and Cables IPO price band has been fixed in the range of ₹ 100 to ₹ 110 per equity share of face value of ₹ 10 each. Bids can be made for a minimum of 1,200 equity shares and in multiples of 1,200 equity shares thereafter. Jainik Power and Cables Limited has been producing aluminum wire rods since 2023 and boasts over ten years of experience in the metal sector, having previously engaged in the trading of aluminum rods. The firm manufactures and distributes aluminum wire rods while complying with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations, as evidenced by its ISO certifications. Its Quality Assurance Department performs purity assessments utilising spectrometers to identify concealed impurities. The company markets its products across the regions of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. As per the red herring prospectus (RHP), the company's listed peers are Hind Aluminium Industries Ltd (with a P/E of 13.73), and Arfin India Ltd (with a P/E of 43.23). Jainik Power and Cables IPO consists of a fresh issue of 46,63,200 equity shares, aggregating to ₹ 51.30 crore. There's no offer for sale (OFS) component. The Jainik Power and Cables IPO aims to use the net proceeds from the offering for several purposes, including meeting working capital needs, funding and establishing a plant, repaying part of the loans taken by the company, covering general corporate expenses, and addressing issue-related costs. Fast Track Finsec Pvt Ltd is the primary lead manager for the Jainik Power and Cables IPO, whereas Skyline Financial Services Private Ltd acts as the registrar for the offering. The market maker for the Jainik Power and Cables IPO is Rikhav Securities Limited. Jainik Power and Cables IPO GMP today or grey market premium was ₹ 0, which meant shares were trading at their issue price of ₹ 110 with no premium or discount in the grey market according to 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price.
