Spring Safety on Site: Changing Weather, Changing Risks 🌦️

Spring has arrived across NZ, and with it comes some of the most unpredictable weather of the year. We feel for the cricket fans out there — with so many games being called off due to rain, you’ll know just how changeable the season can be.

While spring’s conditions might disrupt our social plans, they have an even bigger impact on the worksite. Wind, rain, sun, and sudden changes in temperature all play a role in site safety.

Wind 🌬️

High or gusty winds can quickly make tasks unsafe. Working at heights, using MEWPs, or lifting loads with cranes all become high-risk when wind speeds pick up. Always check the forecast, know your equipment limits, and don’t be afraid to pause work if conditions change.

Rain 🌧️

Rain doesn’t just make things wet — it makes surfaces slippery, reduces visibility, and can affect electrical work. Wet weather gear helps, but it’s equally important to reassess hazards before carrying on.

Sun ☀️

It might not feel like summer yet, but the UV levels in spring can still cause sunburn and heat stress. On warmer days, heat exhaustion becomes a real possibility. Watch for signs like dizziness, cramps, or heavy sweating — rest, hydrate, and cool down early to prevent it from escalating.

If ignored, heat exhaustion can tip into heat stroke, a serious and potentially life-threatening emergency. Signs include confusion, hot dry skin, and collapse. If you see this in a workmate — call 111 immediately and start cooling them down while you wait for help.

✅ Key takeaway this spring: Plan for changing conditions and keep reviewing hazards as the day goes on. Wind, rain, and sun can all turn a straightforward job into a dangerous one if not managed well. Stay alert, look after your crew, and make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.

At Besafe Training, we’re more than just a training provider — we’re a team committed to helping businesses and workers succeed safely.
✅ Nearly 99% student satisfaction
✅ Courses delivered across Auckland and New Zealand
✅ NZQA-approved training that keeps teams safe, compliant, and confident on site
This short video shares a snapshot of who we are and what we do.
Because safety isn’t just a requirement — it’s the foundation of productivity, resilience, and success.
▶️ Watch the video below to learn more about Besafe Training.
📞 Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can support your team: 0800 333 899 or info@besafetraining.co.nz

Is Your Training Up to Date?

Work in the construction and infrastructure sectors is about to pick up speed as projects ramp up from late 2025. When the jobs start rolling in, the last thing you want is to be held back by expired training or overdue refreshers.

For individuals and subbies, being current means you can step on site without delay. For businesses, it means your teams are compliant, confident, and ready to keep projects moving safely and efficiently. Taking a moment now to check — are your workers’ certifications up to date, and do they have the skills they need? — can save costly delays down the track.

Don’t wait until you’re mid-project to discover someone isn’t cleared for confined space entry, working at heights, MEWP or other critical tasks. Take stock now, and set yourself — and your business — up for success in the busy period ahead.

👉 If you’re unsure, get in touch with us and we’ll help you get up to date.
📞 Call 0800 333 899 or ✉️ email info@besafetraining.co.nz

Why a well-prepared workforce goes further than compliance

Why a well-prepared workforce goes further than compliance

The construction and infrastructure sectors are heading into one of their busiest periods in years. As major projects ramp up from late 2025, the expectations on businesses to deliver safely, efficiently, and within budget will only grow.

Meeting compliance is important, but a well-prepared workforce goes far beyond ticking boxes. It’s about building a foundation of productivity, resilience, skill, and confidence — supported by the right training and equipment. When people are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need, less time is lost fixing mistakes, more progress is made on site, and everyone returns home safely.

At Besafe Training, we see compliance as the starting line, not the finish. Our focus is on helping trainees build strong health and safety foundations that enable them — and the businesses they work for — to succeed in the work ahead.

Pipeline Projects Are Coming — Will Your Workforce Be Ready?

After one of the toughest periods in recent memory for New Zealand’s construction and infrastructure sectors, there’s a fresh sense of momentum in the air.

While residential construction remains subdued, infrastructure and civil works are showing real promise. At the recent Civil Contractors New Zealand conference, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects — backed by long-term investment and a renewed focus on maintenance, renewals, and new works. Industry leaders left with a level of optimism we haven’t seen in some time.

That optimism is reflected in the latest Kennards Hire Construction Confidence Check, which found 93% of New Zealand construction decision-makers are confident about the industry’s performance over the next five years. Major projects are expected to ramp up from late 2025 into 2026, and forward-thinking businesses are already preparing their teams.

Why book training now?

Besafe Training General Manager Jason Braithwaite says now is the perfect time to get ahead:

“The training industry is competitive right now — making it the perfect time to secure courses. Competitive offers, such as Besafe’s Multi Ticket Deal (x 4), are proving popular with businesses that have work in the pipeline. Smaller companies are also taking advantage of our online and blended training options to minimise time off site while maintaining quality — crucial when margins are tight and every minute of your FTEs’ time counts.

It’s beginning to feel like the industry has turned a corner, with strong momentum from companies investing in their teams’ skills and compliance. This renewed focus signals a shift toward growth and resilience, with businesses recognising that a well-trained workforce is central to productivity, safety, and long-term success.”

Innovation driving value

Innovation — one of Besafe’s core values — has been key to moving forward.

“We’ve expanded mixed delivery options and introduced qualifications like the New Zealand Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 4) —a 16-week course, completed through our online learning platform. Students are supported with a dedicated facilitator through zoom sessions, digital content, workplace activities and discussion boards.

To make it easy for businesses to explore our forward-thinking training solutions, we’ve launched our new Innovation page — bringing together blended and online courses, company bookings, residential partnerships, and our Employment Pathways Programme. You’ll also find practical resources, case studies, and ideas to support toolbox talks and training.”

The projects are coming — make sure your workforce is ready to step onto site with the skills, compliance, and confidence to deliver.

From “I’m Not Sure” to Confident and Capable

From “I’m Not Sure” to Confident and Capable: The Power of Training Within the Zone of Proximal Development

In this blog, our General Manager Jason Braithwaite shares reflections on how our training approach is shaped by the Zone of Proximal Development — a concept that helps learners move from uncertainty to confidence with the right support, at the right time. 

Recently I have been reflecting on what makes training truly effective — especially in health and safety. We don’t just want our learners to complete a course. We want them to leave feeling confident, competent, and ready to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations. This is where Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) comes in — a concept that shapes how we train.

ZPD describes the space between what a learner can do independently and what they can do with guidance. In our view, this is where meaningful learning — and safer workplaces begin. Across our courses and programmes, we intentionally design our delivery to operate in that space: Trainers scaffold learning by offering the right support at the right time — never too much, never too little.

Practical training environments reflect industry scenarios so learners can apply theory with support before doing it solo. If you haven’t visited our Wiri Training Facility, make sure you drop in for a tour next time you are in the area (211 Roscommon Rd, Wiri). Peer learning is encouraged — especially for new or returning trainees who benefit from hearing real experiences from those further along. We adjust the pace when needed. Sometimes the most powerful learning moment happens when a learner says, “I’m not sure,” and we help them work it out together.

We’ve seen time and again that this approach doesn’t just improve knowledge retention — it changes behaviour. And in our field, behaviour saves lives.

I’m proud to work with a team that sees each learner not just as a seat in a classroom, but as an individual on a journey — from unsure to capable — with us walking alongside them.

Hands-On Training That Drives Safety and Productivity — Not Just Ticks Boxes 👷‍♂️📚

Hands-On Training That Drives Safety and Productivity — Not Just Ticks Boxes 👷‍♂️📚

At Besafe, we believe training should be more than theory. It should prepare people for the real hazards they face on the job — and give them the skills and confidence to make safe choices under pressure.

In New Zealand, the construction industry continues to carry one of the highest rates of workplace harm. In the past year alone, there were 28,188 work-related ACC injury claims from construction — more than any other sector. Auckland and Canterbury recorded the highest volumes of these claims.

That’s why real-world, hands-on training matters.

Whether it’s putting on a harness, operating machinery, or entering a confined space, our learners don’t just sit through slides — they do the work, using real equipment in realistic environments. We train how people actually work: practical, relevant, and grounded in industry best practice.

The result we’re working toward?

Fewer incidents. Safer sites. People getting home safe at the end of the day.

Staying Safe in Wet Weather

Health and safety doesn’t take a break when the weather turns — in fact, it becomes even more important. As heavy rain and storms roll in, staying alert and prepared is key to keeping your team safe on site and on the road.

Wet conditions increase the risks — with slippery surfaces, reduced visibility, noise hazards, unstable ground, higher chances of equipment malfunction.
That’s why wet weather safety is about more than rain jackets — it’s about planning ahead, communicating clearly, and knowing when to pause the job.

✅ Check your site hazards and access points
🛠️ Make sure PPE and wet weather gear is up to standard
📋 Review your emergency plans and procedures
📞 Keep communication lines open and clear
🚫 Don’t be afraid to postpone or stop work if conditions aren’t safe

Public holidays are coming up too — so make sure any unattended sites are secure, and signage is clear.

When your team knows what to expect and what’s expected of them, they’ll make better decisions in tough conditions — and come home safely at the end of the day.

Staying Sharp in a Short Week

Public holidays are great for rest and reset — but short weeks can throw off routines, reduce focus, and increase the risk of cutting corners.
After a run of days off, it’s common for teams to come back distracted, under time pressure, or simply out of rhythm. That’s when the little things — like a missed check, skipped step, or rushed task — can lead to big consequences.

Now’s the time to double down on the basics:
✔️ Refresh your toolbox talks
✔️ Revisit key safety procedures
✔️ Encourage everyone to take a moment — not a shortcut (or as ACC New Zealand says, “Have a hmmm”)
✔️ Keep the pace realistic, even if you’re playing catch-up

Short weeks often mean trying to do more in less time — but safety can’t be rushed. A few minutes spent reinforcing the right habits is a far better trade than dealing with a preventable incident.

The most effective teams treat every week — short or long — with the same focus and commitment to getting home safe.

Our Safety Poem

🎥 A Year to Remember – Our Safety Poem 🎄

As 2024 comes to a close, we wanted to do something special to thank YOU—our amazing students, clients and partners—for an incredible year. 💛

Here’s a little poem to celebrate the successes we’ve achieved together and to remind us all to stay safe this summer. ☀️ (Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap—and let’s leave the sizzling to the steaks on the grill!) 🥩🔥 From delivering 12,000+ NZQA units to helping 116 workers into jobs, it’s been a year to be proud of—Massive thanks to you. 🙌

Enjoy the video, have a Merry Christmas, and here’s to an even brighter and safer 2025! 🎉

Check Your Training is Up to Date

Make the Most of Your Time Off

Keep these tips in mind, and let’s make it a safe and productive summer season!


Address: 1B Beatrice Tinsley Crescent, Rosedale, Auckland 0632

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Phone: +64 9 555 2365

Email: info@besafetraining.co.nz

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