Fulton Hogan Roading Contractor Smoking Through Work Without the Smokes!
Mobile Crushing manager Allan McDonald is in a race against time before New Years to supply road repair crews with
crushed rock. Despite immense pressure he isn’t resorting to his old habit of a few rushed drags on a cigarette before
the next excavation and crushing work beings.
“Yeah, I used to smoke on the job, talking to the men with a ciggy in my hand, but it doesn’t bother me now. It all
comes down to habit.”
Mr McDonald is the only Fulton Hogan staff member to become completely smokefree since the company offered a Commit to
Quit smoking programme one year ago.
Eight staff members signed up to the smoking cessation course which offers natural remedies as well as nicotine patches
and gum to help wean smokers off their nicotine addiction. No one, not even Allan, could have foreseen how long he would
stay smokefree, especially under the current heavy workload.
“This is pressure, but I’ve been under worse. I tell you, I won’t be smoking again. Two months ago I had a drag on a
cigarette and God I thought it was gross. That was all it took to remind me to stay off them.” In 1990 New Zealand
introduced smokefree workplaces. In 1994 workplace vehicles also had to become smokefree; a tricky one for Mr McDonald
to comply with. “Yeah I would smoke in my vehicle because that’s when it’s hardest not to. Not when anyone else was in
with me, but when I was on my own driving, definitely. Back then I wasn’t concerned that it might be bad for me, or for
anyone else that jumped in my ute afterwards.” Fulton Hogan Safety and Quality Regional Adviser Charlene Donald says the
policy is ‘no smoking in vehicles’. But like many companies, making every vehicle smokefree, has been a challenge.
“At Fulton Hogan staff have been encouraged to take ownership of the issue and smokefree vehicles are more common than
not. While there are a few complaints about smoke-smelling vehicles these are reducing.”
Regional smokefree group Taki Tahi Toa Mano commends local businesses that work with their staff on making the
workplace, including vehicles, smokefree. Member Pania Ruakere says in recognition of the work being done at Fulton
Hogan they have selected the company to receive 100 Smokefree Vehicle Resource Packs.
“Congratulations to Fulton Hogan on their commitment to staff health and wellbeing.”
ENDS