Building sites blitz uncovers 'cowboys'

Safety inspectors closed more than 30 per cent of building sites they visited in south and east Auckland last month after declaring them unsafe.

Inspectors said they found "shocking" and unsafe conditions and many building "cowboys" who quickly disappeared when they saw inspection teams arrive.

Labour Department safety inspectors said the 110 sites they visited, mostly houses and low-level apartments, used illegal labour, faulty or inadequate safety equipment, poor scaffolding and allowed materials to spill onto the road. Some also failed to provide toilets and there were breaches of employment contracts.

One of the building companies with a track record of failing to meet safety standards faced an instant $4000 fine for breaching safety standards on a roof.

The Labour Department's chief adviser on health and safety, Mike Cosman, said the number of breaches was anticipated but still disappointing after plenty of publicity was given about the inspections before they happened.

"To have your worst fears confirmed is always a bit of a shock."

He said the Flat Bush area, a new south Auckland subdivision, was "largely out of control".

There was often no fencing where children were evident and nothing to stop people getting onto unsafe sites.

He said the developers were a mixture of "cowboys" and regular builders.

"Some are subsidiaries of quite well-known names and others appear to be small, independent developers who probably set up because of Auckland's housing boom and who are now operating on a pretty small scale."

He said the Labour Department believed there was a connection with the cowboy builders they found and the widespread problem of leaking homes.

Mr Cosman said anyone considering buying or building a new house would be well advised to go to someone with a proven record.

Because of the shortage of builders some companies were hiring anyone who could hold a hammer or screw in a screw, regardless of their qualifications or experience.

"That means the quality of work is likely to be poorer."

He said the companies would be checked again to ensure they had improved on-site safety and labour conditions.

Inspectors visited 110 sites and also found illegal foreign workers and the Immigration Service had been told. Some of the builders approached did not speak English.

Mr Cosman also said the problem was not confined to Auckland and could be in any area with a rapidly expanding housing market.

David Lowe at the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern), said: "We do not condone breaches of the law. Safety regulations are particularly important.

"But those who make the rules should see that some businesses are overloaded with compliance to the point of just giving up."

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF