TOOLS BITE, SOMETIMES LEGISLATION BITES BACK TOO If you’re wondering about the QR Code (that funny pixelated thingy), get your smartphone out and scan it (download App first) and go on a wonderful mystery tour… free of charge. You will see a number of these throughout your industry magazine, linking to videos, websites, email addresses to make contact with. To connect you. We know how much you’d prefer to be making and creating – engineering – so we’ve made life that little bit easier. Now, that engineering industry… we are indeed an industry of doers and creators, and to do and create, by necessity, we are also an industry of tools. No, not the kind of Kiwi slang, but the kind of tools and light/heavy machinery required to make stuff from stuff, aka that word again, engineering. And, sometimes, mostly when you least expect it, tools bite. Sometimes though, when you most expect it, the laws governing the protection of workers – engineers – bite back too. Last month the new Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) came into effect. For some, it’s a case of no change, for others though who have flouted health and safety in the past, it’s time to ‘…shape up or ship out,’ and such is the view of Craig Coyle of the Maintenance Engineering Society of New Zealand. He writes: “The HSAW Act has placed a new set of pressures on industry, but totally justified if you look at our terrible record. “If you were walking the walk as well as taking the talk before, you should not have too much to worry about, but if you have spent the last 20 years steadfastly ignoring health and safety, the message VISIT OUR BRAND NEW WEBSITE lep.net.nz Scan for a wonderful mystery tour could not be clearer: shape up or ship out. “In passing the new HSAW Act, parliament has effectively tidied up the existing system (with an increased focus on risk), made clearer definitions, closed loopholes, involved everybody and got serious with the penalties. Fines now read like telephone numbers and the feedback from the courts is consistent; there is no leniency for not reasonably predicting risks.” Definitely worth a read on page 57. EMEX 2016 kicks off the last day of May. Exhibitors have worked tirelessly and at great expense to bring you the latest and greatest on offer in your industry. Register now, we have a full preshow feature with all the details you need. And lastly, the little new engine that could. Feats of engineering come in many styles and formats, made of many materials and of many, many sizes. We feature an absolute nibble-sized feat of engineering on the front cover and inside the magazine: the world’s smallest heat engine, running on just one atom! Enjoy, Greg Robertson Publisher P U B L I S H E R ’ S D E S K
1-64 NZEN May16
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