Case Study: Frame & Truss Manufacturers’ Association of New Zealand
Making Safety Second Nature: How the Construction Growth Foundation (CGF) Funding Supported Frame & Truss Manufacturers’ Association of New Zealand (FTMA) Health & Safety Video Series
Every year, thousands of construction workers sustain injuries in the workplace, with many having life-changing consequences.
In 2024 alone, the construction sector recorded 31,200 new Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) claims, making up 15% of all workplace injury claims across New Zealand. Twelve construction workers lost their lives. And tragically, roughly one construction worker dies by suspected suicide every week.
Is this preventable? Absolutely.
That's why the Frame & Truss Manufacturers’ Association of New Zealand (FTMA) decided to do something about power tool health and safety, and why CGF stepped in to support their solution.
The Challenge: High-Risk Tools, High Injury Rates
Construction remains one of New Zealand's most dangerous industries. While it employs around 10% of the total workforce, it's responsible for the highest number of workplace injuries and has the largest proportion of injuries resulting in more than a week away from work.
The majority of injuries occur from falls or falling objects, but a significant number happen while using power tools.
Circular saws, reciprocating saws, electric planers, and drill drivers are essential equipment on building sites, but without proper training and safety protocols, they can cause serious harm.
Battery-powered tool training has also been lacking, as these tools are now firmly embedded in the construction sector, accounting for the clear majority of global power tool sales and continuing to grow at pace. While assumptions persist that battery-powered tools are less powerful, FTMA saw this as another reason to provide health and safety training.
The problem? Many workers, particularly younger employees and those new to the industry, haven't received consistent, accessible safety training on these everyday tools. Traditional safety briefings can be inconsistent, hard to remember, and often aren't available when workers need a quick refresher.
Why CGF Supported This Project
CGF exists to build a highly capable and resilient construction sector through education, training, and leadership development.
FTMA's health and safety video initiative aligned perfectly with CGF's strategic pillars:
Strengthening Capability by providing accessible, practical training that improves on-site safety
Building Intelligence through clear, visual guidance that workers can return to again and again
Most importantly, the project addressed a critical gap: the need for standardised, easy-to-understand safety training that could reduce preventable injuries and save lives.
What Was Delivered
FTMA commissioned Shutterspeed to design and produce the entire FTMA Safe Operation Procedures Suite, a comprehensive training package that's been very well received across the sector.
Shutterspeed created not only the videos themselves but also influenced the design and construction of the training package and the accreditation model within the FTMA SOP Training Programme, which is available to registered users at respective frame and truss facilities.
With CGF funding, five health and safety videos were produced, each around five minutes long, covering:
Safe Battery Skills
Safe operations for battery-operated tools and essential practices for using and storing lithium batteries.Circular Saw Safety
Knowledge and techniques to stay safe while using a circular saw, with a complete pre-start checklist.Reciprocating/Sabre Saw Safety
A guide through essential checks, systems and safe handling procedures.Electric Planer Safety
Correct operational procedures and the essential checks needed before use.Impact & Drill Driver Safety
Education on the key components and which torque setting you need to use.
Each video outlines a health and safety checklist and clear systems and procedures, presented in a format that's easy to understand and quick to revisit.
Real Impact on the Ground
These videos are now being used for:
Onboarding new workers—giving them consistent, professional safety training from day one
Toolbox talks—providing visual aids that make safety briefings more engaging and memorable
Refresher training—allowing workers to quickly review procedures before using specific equipment
Site inductions—ensuring all contractors and subcontractors have access to the same safety standards
While the videos were created specifically for the frame and truss industry in a factory context, they're valuable for any residential builder or sub-trade using these hand-held power tools on the construction site.
Available for CGF Members
The five CGF-funded videos are available to CGF members' using the links above.
If your association would like to adopt or modify any of the content for your own use, contact Shutterspeed*. This is part of CGF's commitment to strengthening capability across the entire construction sector.
Why This Matters for the Construction Sector
Construction injuries are preventable, but prevention requires investment in the right training and resources.
By supporting FTMA's video series, CGF helped create:
Accessible safety training that workers can access anytime, anywhere
Consistent standards across worksites, reducing the risk of accidents from poor technique or lack of knowledge
Cultural change that normalises safety-first thinking and builds a more professional, capable workforce
Long-term value—these videos will continue benefiting the sector for years to come
Behind the statistics—the 31,200 claims, 12 fatalities, the mental health crisis—are real people, real families, and real communities affected by workplace harm.
This project is a clear example of how CGF funding strengthens capability where it matters most: on the tools, on site, in the moments that make the difference between getting home safe and not getting home at all.
Because every worker deserves to finish their shift the same way they started it.
* ShutterSpeed Video contact stephen@shutterspeedvideo.com or ph 0274 339 616