9 October 2005
Contractors’ Federation launches QEST for improved safety
The New Zealand Contractors’ Federation (NZCF) has launched QEST - an accredited civil construction management code
designed to set benchmarks around occupational health and safety, environmental and quality risks associated with the
industry.
QEST (Quality, Environment, Safety – Total Integrated Management) has been developed by NZCF based on Australia’s Civil
Contractors’ Federation code. Contractors will be accredited via third-party annual audits.
NZCF Chief Executive Richard Michael says QEST provides a significant degree of assurance for clients, consulting
engineers and contractors.
“We recognise the inherent health and safety risks associated with our industry,” says Mr Michael.
“QEST has been designed to provide a collection of operating procedures that define the processes an organisation
employs to ensure its administrative and project work is carried out effectively, safely, efficiently and within
legislative and regulatory requirements.
“We’re confident QEST will grow to become the industry benchmark by which clients can be assured the contractors they
are working with adhere to the highest levels of safety and carry out their work with minimal environmental impact.”
Transit New Zealand is adopting QEST as one of its two approved health and safety system providers.
“In line with current legislation Transit must, as a key requirement for letting contracts, ensure that its contractors
demonstrate well-established health and safety procedures,” says Transit National Procurement Manager Kevin Doherty.
“To maintain an environment of health and safety best practice on Transit worksites, we are becoming ever more stringent
on this requirement. Accordingly, we welcome and support the adoption of the QEST health and safety system by members of
the Contractors’ Federation,” says Dr Doherty.
Mr Michael says QEST is not just about safety because it integrates management procedures for Quality and Environment
along with Safety to ensure construction projects are completed to a high standard with minimal impact on the
environment.
“Quality management in construction has a long-term effect on the whole-of-life costs of a project with QEST ensuring
specified quality requirements are met. In addition contractors can make savings during construction because QEST can
assist in constructing the job once and doing it right.
“Construction work inevitably has some effect on the environment and QEST assists in identifying and managing
construction activities to ensure minimum impact on the environment,” says Mr Michael.
ENDS