Operate Safe Closure

Operate Safe closed on 31 January 2011.  No further Operate Safe Stage 1, 2 or 3 certificates or Operate Safe cards will now be issued. 

This closure follows the launch of the new Construction Safety Council (CSC) in September 2010.  In the coming months, the CSC will rationalise health and safety standards and training across the whole construction sector. 

The CSC expects to have a new training framework agreed across the whole construction industry by the end of 2011.

It is likely that the new training framework will be qualifications-based and similar to the Operate Safe model.    

What does this mean for Operate Safe Accredited contractors?
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has confirmed they will continue to accept tenders from Accredited Operate Safe Contractors until 30 June 2012.

This is extended for a further year until 30 June 2013 if Operate Safe accreditation is supported by a current ACC Secondary or Tertiary Certificate.  Alternatively, contractors can meet NZTA eligibility requirements through NZS 4801 or ISO 18001 or the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation QEST system.

For details of the NZTA’s health and safety requirements, refer to the State Highway Proforma Contracts on the NZTA website.

What will happen to InfraTrain’s Health and Safety qualifications?
InfraTrain offers two qualifications which previously met the requirements of Operate Safe:

• Limited Credit Programme in Health and Safety
  (Bronze Card)

• National Certificate in Health, Safety and Environment (Operations) – Level 3
  (Silver Card)

InfraTrain will continue to offer both of these qualifications.  They provide recognition that staff have health and safety skills and knowledge to the required industry standard.   They also provide an excellent basis for a structured safety programme in a company.

We strongly encourage trainees enrolled in these qualifications to continue to work towards completion. 

InfraTrain will work with CSC to discuss qualification requirements for the new framework.

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