Are you using your scissor lift safely?

January 9, 2025

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

9 January 2025

Businesses that use scissor lifts should take a fresh look at safety, after a worker fell from height and died over the holiday period.

Jun Jiang suffered a fall from a scissor lift in Auckland on 28 December 2024, and died days later in hospital. We’re now investigating how this happened.

Scissor lifts, also known as mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), are useful but complex pieces of equipment often used for access in hazardous areas. Operators must be trained and competent before using a MEWP and must follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions. They must also use safe working practices and operate the MEWP within its limits.

“If you have a scissor lift on your worksite, now is a good time to review what it’s used for and capable of. Re-familiarise yourself with the manufacturer’s instructions, check tasks are appropriate for the platform, ensure risk assessments and standard operating procedures are relevant, and ensure staff are trained and competent to use the equipment,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Danielle Henry.

The causes of elevated work platform injuries and deaths investigated by WorkSafe include:

not following the manufacturer’s recommendations
inadequate training and supervision
equipment failure
not fully assessing the hazards and risks of the job, site, and equipment.

Boom lifts and vertical lifts are the two basic types of MEWPs. Both can help workers reach elevated areas but have very different capabilities. Businesses must choose the best platform for the task, given the type of work and the work environment. The work needs to be properly planned and hazards and risks managed at the worksite.

WorkSafe’s good practice guidelines outline when harnesses are required for work in mobile elevating work platforms.

Read WorkSafe’s guidance on MEWPs

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O-Level Computing Graduates to Receive Credit Exemption at NYP’s School of Information Technology

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January 9, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

A first for the polytechnic, this exemption allows learners to free up and reallocate curriculum time. They can choose to use the freed-up periods to attain additional industry professional certifications.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 January 2025 – Commencing April 2025, learners who pass O-level Computing and enrol into NYP’s School of IT can apply for an exemption from the Programming Competency Unit (CmU), or the poly’s equivalent of a “module”.

The credit exemption will see learners saving 60 curriculum hours over the semester – which they can spend to develop adjacent tech skills in their interest areas.

This follows a recent curriculum review that showed that both the O-level Computing subject and the Programming CmU – a foundational learning unit all first-year IT students undertake – had similar learning outcomes that overlapped.

The data also showed that over the past cohorts at NYP, more than 9 in 10 students who passed their O-level computing subject scored at least a B for their Programming CmU.

Ms Tan Soon Keow, Director of NYP’s School of Information Technology, said: “We are committed to developing every student’s potential and giving them room to grow their capabilities while pursuing their diploma studies.”

“In finding avenues to recognise prior learning and give credit exemptions to learners who are already well-versed with foundational knowledge, we hope to open new opportunities for them to pursue advanced learning in their preferred domains, while keeping to the polytechnic curriculum rigour,” she added.

Learners given the credit exemptions are encouraged to use the freed-up 60 hours to pursue professional certifications, participate in competitions or work on projects mentored by industry veterans. This flexibility allows learners to focus on areas of interest and accelerate their growth in specialised fields.

Year One Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics student, Ker Hong Xuan, graduated with an A1 for his O-Level Computing subject in 2023. After enrolling at NYP in 2024, he obtained a Distinction[1] in the Programming CmU. He shared that he would have opted for an exemption had the programme been launched in the year he enrolled: “I love the idea of freed up curriculum time – I can join in the hackathons the School organises, and I could have gotten my Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification even earlier! I think it’s really laudable that the school is allowing us to explore different IT areas with the freed-up hours,” he added.

Earlier in 2023, NYP’s School of IT also announced that all SIT students who enrol from AY2023 would graduate with at least one professional certification. These industry-recognised certificates include Amazon Web Services Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate, and Certified Entry-Level Python Practitioner. Collectively, both initiatives reinforce NYP’s dedication to creating a learning environment that empowers students, recognising their competencies while and ensuring they are equipped with the most in-demand skills to excel in the dynamic tech industry.

[1] A ‘Distinction’ grade is awarded to the top 5% of students for the CmU

https://www.nyp.edu.sg

Hashtag: #NanyangPolytechnic #InformationTechnology

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Watercare gets to work on first permanent non-potable water tanker filling station in Māngere

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: Auckland Council

Watercare is laying the groundwork for its first permanent non-potable tanker filling station in Māngere.

The $1.2 million filling station will be available to commercial customers for non-drinking purposes such as dust suppression, house cleaning, irrigation, and process water.

It is being built a block away from the Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant, on the corner of Greenwood and Ascot roads.

Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne says the filling station will replace the last remaining temporary non-potable tanker filling station in Penrose.

“The Penrose non-potable tanker filling station was one of four commissioned to support commercial and construction services affected by water restrictions during the height of the 2020 drought.

“After the drought, all the stations except for the one in Penrose were closed due to the high running costs and upgrades required to keep them operating.”

Watercare head of water planning Tim Scheirlinck describes the non-potable tanker filling station as a cost-effective solution for commercial and construction partners.

“We anticipate achieving full cost recovery for the new permanent tanker filling station at Māngere, with the revenue generated from the sale of non-potable water expected to cover ongoing operational costs.”

Project manager Mohamed Abdelmageed says the filling station will draw water from an established bore that is already on-site.

“We project that the filling station will be able to service around 20 tankers a day. The filling station will be fully automated. Tanker drivers will need to use a swipe card to fill up their tanker. The filling station will be able to store up to 120,000 litres across its four tanks.”

Watercare project manager Mohamed Abdelmageed says the tanker filling station will be able to store up to 120,000 litres across its four tanks.

Abdelmageed says the tanker filling station will only be designed to fill one tanker at a time.

“From the tanks, the water goes to a tanker filling shed which has a fire hose connection for them to fill up from.

“Tanker operators need to connect their own hoses to the filling point and fill their trucks at the top.”

Abdelmageed says the non-potable filling station is expected to be completed by the end of March.

The permanent non potable tanker filling station is on track to be completed in March.

“The construction of the filling station will be straightforward.

“Most of the work will be carried out between 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Work on Saturdays will only take place if necessary.

“Traffic management will only be in place while the vehicle crossing is being constructed.”

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SUNRATE Expands Beyond Global Payments in 2025 by Introducing New Treasury Solutions

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January 9, 2025

Source: Media Outreach

Newly Launched “Trading and Hedging” Solutions to Empower Businesses with FX Trading, Hedging Strategies and Products

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 January 2025 – SUNRATE, the global payment and treasury management platform, kickstarts the new year by introducing new treasury solutions – “trading and hedging” for businesses worldwide. These solutions are launched through Sunrate Markets Pte. Ltd., which holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

Mr. Joshua Bao, co-founder of SUNRATE, said, “Being awarded the CMS license by MAS was an important milestone, but it was even more critical for us to go-to-market (GTM) with products and services that deliver significant value to our customers. With our vast experience in global payments and foreign exchange (FX) and the numerous product iterations based on customer feedback, we are confident that our customers will be able to leverage unparalleled global presence, accessing all their trading and hedging needs in one place.”

In addition to the CMS license, SUNRATE is one of the few companies in Singapore that also holds a MAS license as a Major Payment Institution (MPI) for Account Issuance Service, Domestic Money Transfer Service, Cross-border Money Transfer Service, Merchant Acquisition Service, and E-money Issuance Service. Its dual-license status attests to its strong compliance and governance framework, credentials, and competencies, as well as know-how, while enhancing its capabilities in the area of global B2B payments and treasury management.

Mr. Yumi Zhang, Head of Global Markets at SUNRATE, said, “With geopolitical risks set to affect the world economy and global businesses more than ever, it is imperative that we work even closer with our customers to apply various strategies to hedge and protect against any market volatility, especially in emerging markets. In addition to the fast, secure, and cost-effective global B2B payment products and services that we offer, businesses, particularly those engaged in B2B trade, will appreciate the insights and stability that we can bring to them with our new offerings.”

Hashtag: #SUNRATE

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Greens welcome deadline extension but reiterate call for Bill to be binned

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: Green Party

The Green Party welcomes the extension of the deadline for Treaty Principles Bill submissions but continues to call on the Government to abandon the Bill.

“We welcome the bare minimum decision to extend the deadline but know this Bill must be put in the bin altogether. Our founding agreement should never be up for negotiation by one tiny part of one side,” says the Green Party’s Justice Committee representative, Tamatha Paul.

“Te Tiriti o Waitangi is enduring. Governments are temporary.

“There is no reason why this Bill cannot be thrown out right now. The coalition agreement between ACT and National only commits to the Treaty Principles Bill being brought to Select Committee. There is no commitment or need for it to be taken any further, it can and must be abandoned now.

“The power is in your hands, Christopher, as it was from the start when. You have now fulfilled the conditions of your poorly negotiated coalition agreement. Now you need to do your job and uphold the founding agreement this nation was built on and kill this Bill.

“The spread of dis- and misinformation fuelled by this Bill is well documented by the likes of Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa in their public submission on the legislation. Nothing good will come from allowing it to live on.

“This Bill should have never been introduced in the first place. This is a complete waste of resources at a time when there are bigger fish to fry; housing insecurity, poverty, environmental decline, and a health system crumbling before our eyes,” says Tamatha Paul.

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Weather News – Southerlies continue, but summer lives on in the west – MetService

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 9th – Monday 13th January – Southerlies look to persist into next week as a low pressure system to the east and ridge of high pressure to the west remain largely static. This status quo means the weather for the country is largely stratified between the east and west.

MetService meteorologist Alec Holden says, “The continuing southerlies will make it feel like summer is still lackluster in the east with cloud and showers washing in and out, but summer is alive and well elsewhere.”

MetService is forecasting temperatures along the eastern seaboard of the country to continue to fall short of the climatic average for January by 5° to 7°C. In fact, Christchurch has yet to reach their climatic average daily maximum temperature of 22°C this month. The weather is expected to be largely settled with no severe weather expected for the mainland moving into next week, as the ridge provides a steadying influence. However, near constant strong to gale southerly winds are expected for the Chatham Islands.

The weather for today (Thursday) and tomorrow is largely similar with cloud and isolated showers along the east coast, and fine conditions elsewhere, aside from a few afternoon showers about Waikato northward and the ranges of the South Island. That said, tomorrow cloud breaks up in the east making it a good day to get the washing done for east coasters, but a bad washing day for Southlanders as showers develop around midday when a weak front approaches from the southwest.

On Saturday winds pick up again in the east as the low drifts back towards the county, but showers are predicted to remain largely offshore. Conditions should be mainly fine elsewhere marking a good day for the Black Caps to take on Sri Lanka at Eden Park.

Looking long range, this status quo of southerlies in the east and more summery weather in the west looks to continue at least until the end of next week.

Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at https://www.metservice.com/

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Children make up nearly half of Rohingya refugees taking perilous boat journeys in 2024 as numbers continue to rise – Save the Children

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: Save the Children

Children made up just under half – 44% – of predominantly Rohingya refugees leaving Bangladesh and Myanmar by boat in 2024 as the number of people taking to sea continues to rise with about 460 so far in 2025, Save the Children said.

Last year, more than 7,800 Rohingya refugees embarked on perilous boat journeys, an increase of 80% on 2023. UN [1] data showed 44% of documented arrivals were children compared with 37% in 2023. A total of 656 passengers were reported dead or missing in 2024 compared with 416 in 2023, the highest number since 2014 [2].

So far 2025 has seen no let-up in the number of people embarking on the journey despite flimsy fishing boats often spending weeks at sea, with food and water sometimes running out before reaching land.

On 5 January, 254 Rohingya people landed in Aceh in Indonesia with 10 people reported missing or dead [1]. Save the Children’s partner organisation, the Geutanyoe Foundation, said 118 children were among the new arrivals.

Two days earlier 196 refugees arrived by boat in Langkawi in Malaysia with police detaining the new arrivals on the island. Two other boats are thought to be still at sea after authorities reportedly gave passengers food and water before escorting them out of Malaysian waters. Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees and has previously turned away boats or detained people as illegal migrants [3].

More than one million Rohingya refugees live in the world’s largest refugee settlement at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Since fleeing violence in Myanmar more than seven years ago, they are stateless and confined to camps, often in squalid and overcrowded conditions. Refugees are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid to survive.

Sultana Begum, Asia head of humanitarian policy and advocacy for Save the Children, said:

“Since February 2022, thousands of Rohingya refugee children have taken life threatening boat journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar [1]. Thousands of children who have got on rickety boats in the scorching sun with meagre supplies of food and water. Thousands of children who have no guarantee they will get to safety and have risked everything in the hope of a better future.

“2025 must not be yet another year of despair for Rohingya refugees. The surge in life threatening boat journeys in 2024, taken predominantly by Rohingya refugees, should sound a global alarm.

“Escalating conflict in Myanmar, and the deteriorating conditions in the Bangladesh camps, including violence, dwindling humanitarian aid, lack of freedom of movement, and limited access to education and livelihoods, is driving these risky journeys which often take refugees through several different countries in Asia.

“Regional governments must act decisively. All governments in the region must live up to their international obligations. They must not push refugee boats back and allow them to land safely, provide legal protection in transit and destination countries and address the root causes of boat journeys.”

Save the Children is one of the leading international NGOs working in the Cox’s Bazar camps in Bangladesh, providing child protection, access to learning, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and distribution of shelter and food items. We have reached about 600,000 Rohingya refugees, including more than 320,000 children, since the response began in 2017.

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Fire Safety – Fires restricted in Waikato district from Friday

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared that all of the Waikato district will be in a restricted fire season from 9am on Friday 10 January until further notice.

This will include Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Waikato, Hamilton City, Waipa, Otorohanga and Waitomo areas. The Central North Island is already in a restricted fire season.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, which can be applied for at checkitsalright.nz.

Waikato District Manager Daryl Trim says the fire risk has continued to increase despite unseasonably cooler days and some rainfall.

“In these conditions, we want to help landowners safely manage their fires to limit the risk of fires spreading out of control,” he says.

“Anyone planning to light fires in the open air will need to go to checkitsalright.nz, and go through a few easy steps to get a permit for their fire.

“If you don’t have internet access, you can phone 0800 658 628 to apply for a permit.”

The website also provides guidance on how to light open-air fires safely, and to make sure they are fully extinguished afterward.

“We are continuing to monitor the weather and the fire risk in the Waikato District, as it is expected conditions may dry out further,” Daryl Trim says.

“Please do the right thing and apply for a permit to help keep yourselves and your community safe when using fire.”

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Burst water main, Mt Wellington

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Motorists are being asked to avoid a section of Carbine Road following a burst water main.

Police were notified of the incident at about 11.13am.

At this stage Carbine Road, between Clemow Drive and Te Ahoterangi Rise, has been affected.

Police are onsite and directing traffic, however motorists are advised to avoid the area including the entry to Sylvia Park, until it has been cleared.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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SH2 HB Expressway 4 laning project enters second phase of enabling works

LiveNews Publisher

January 9, 2025

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A reminder that work begins next week alongside Tutaekuri River Bridge on State Highway 2 (SH2) Hawke’s Bay Expressway as the 4 laning Roads of National Significance project continues.

From Monday 13 January, crews will begin work alongside Tutaekuri River Bridge, starting with vegetation clearance, before laying repurposed silt to raise the land alongside the bridge and create a wide, flat surface for construction of the 4 laning project to begin later this year, once the silt has compacted.

During this time, there will be a temporary 70km/h speed limit through this area and road users will notice a lot of activity off to the side of the northbound lane, including silt transportation and construction from the beginning of February.

In February, the Rotary cycle path and walkway will be slightly realigned and there will, at times, be work site trucks crossing a small section of it. There will be traffic management to ensure all truck drivers will be slowing to a stop before crossing the path for the safety of all users and there will be people on site keeping the path clear for users.

There will also be some upcoming road closures for a range of maintenance work, separate to expressway project work. The expressway project team will also use the closures to install temporary steel barrier to separate traffic from the Tutaekuri River Bridge work site.

From Monday 20 to Thursday 23 January, sections of SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway will be closed from 8pm to 5am each night for a range of maintenance work. The work will be finished by 5am on Friday 24 January.

20 – 22 Jan – Between Prebensen Drive and Taradale Rd roundabouts, closed for 3 nights. Local road detour suitable for all vehicles.
22 Jan – Kennedy Rd on ramp, closed for 1 night. Local road detour suitable for all vehicles.
22 – 23 Jan – Between Meeanee Rd and Pākōwhai Rd/Links Rd, closed for 2 nights. Local road detour not suitable for heavy vehicles.

The closures are expected to add 5-10 minutes to people’s journeys and detours will be clearly signposted. The closures are weather dependent and if required, contingency dates will be communicated.

Crews will be sealing the Kennedy Road onramp, sealing between Prebensen Dr and Taradale Rd, and between Meeanee and Pākōwhai/Links Rds, and other work including median barrier replacement and lane marking.

SH2 Hawkes Bay Expressway

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