Auckland Council Building Inspections – Covid-19
Here’s the latest update from Auckland Council Building Control Unit 23 April 2020.
Listen to podcast version here – links below for additional information:
General Building, Reclad and Durability inspections will resume operations from Tuesday 28 April.
The online booking tool re-opened at 7am Wednesday 22 April.
Where possible, inspections will be carried out remotely using different remote inspection tools depending on the type of inspection. An inspector will call you prior to the inspection, discuss the options available and guide you through the process.
Please note: Inspections using remote online tools may require the use of mobile data if Wi-Fi is not available onsite and they may take longer to complete than normal on-site inspections.
Not all inspections can be carried out remotely and, in these cases, a physical inspection will need to take place. The following guidance is provided for these onsite inspections.
Before you commence any construction, you must ensure you have a site specific safety plan to address the risks associated with COVID-19. There is industry guidance available here:
Construction Health and Safety NZ website https://www.chasnz.org/covid19
SiteSafe website https://www.sitesafe.org.nz/guides–resources/covid-19-protocols/
You can book inspections online here: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/understanding-building-consents-process/inspections-building-renovation-work/Pages/book-a-building-inspection.aspx
On the morning of the inspection, an inspector will call you to discuss any specific H&S requirements relating to your site which they need to know about. These will include the following:
- Signing in and out protocols
- Standard safety induction requirements
- Health checks or declarations
- Any specific PPE gear you require on the site
- Any special rules relating to working areas such as one direction stairways, maximum number of people on ladders, scaffolding, lifts etc.
During inspection:
H&S requirements you must follow to enable a safe inspection to take place:
- You will need to provide hand sanitising or washing stations at the site entrance for the inspector to use.
- Physical distancing of 2m minimum must be strictly adhered to.
- Work areas or zones where inspections will take place must be cleared of workers while the inspection takes place. This does not mean the whole site must be cleared, only the areas where the inspector is inspecting.
- The inspector will leave site if anyone is showing symptoms or signs of illness.
After inspection:
You will receive a briefing from the inspector regarding the outcome of the inspection. This will be done either using the 2m physical distancing rules onsite or by phone you after the inspection. The inspection outcome statement and checklist will be emailed to you at the conclusion of the inspection.
