WorkSafe New Zealand is advising people from Christchurch to Wellington, and those affected further afield, to exercise care and good judgement as they head to their workplaces this morning.

“Safety of you and your work colleagues must be the number one priority if you’re heading to work today in the affected areas,” said WorkSafe Chief Executive Gordon MacDonald.

“There have been reports of damage to buildings, so please exercise caution when entering buildings as the last thing any of us want is an injury because a few simple checks haven’t been undertaken.

“Listen to what Civil Defence are advising and act accordingly – they’re the experts in these situations.

“Make a careful external visual inspection of your work premises. If you see cracks or have the slightest doubt about the integrity of the building, get an expert report before you go in,” he said.

“If you decide it’s safe to enter be extra vigilant as the contents of the building may have shifted; material may have fallen; there could be hazards you would not normally expect like spilled liquids or damaged racking for stored goods.

“If you know there are chemicals or other dangerous material in your workplace, make sure you’re protected with good safety gear and be very careful when you first go in. Stop – look – assess – and don’t take any risks. There are professionals who can help you make your workplace safe.

“The WorkSafe team is ready to help – if you have any concerns or questions, you can reach us on 0800 030 040,” Mr MacDonald said.