Safety That Comes First, Not Last
Our crews work in some of New Zealand's most hazardous environments. Our safety programme is not a compliance exercise — it is the reason our people go home every day.
Lost-time injuries in the past 12 months
Rope access crew IRATA-certified
Pre-task planning on every site, every day
Projects completed without a fatality
Safety is built in, not added on.
The nature of our work — unstable slopes, active rockfall zones, difficult-access sites, working at height in remote locations — means that a perfunctory approach to safety is not an option. GSI operates a safety management system built specifically for the environments we work in, not adapted from a generic contractor framework.
Our approach starts with the people we hire. We look for experienced operators who have already developed sound field judgement, and we invest in continuous training so that safety knowledge compounds over time rather than remaining static. Every GSI crew member has the authority and expectation to stop work if conditions are unsafe — regardless of schedule pressure.
Our Safety Framework
IRATA Rope Access Standards
All rope access operations are conducted under IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) standards — the globally recognised benchmark for safe work at height using rope access techniques. GSI New Zealand supervisors hold IRATA Level 3 certification, the highest operational level. No crew member operates on rope without current IRATA certification and regular competency assessment.
Site-Specific Hazard Management
Every GSI project begins with a site-specific hazard identification and management plan. Generic tick-box hazard registers are not used. Our engineers assess the specific geological, geotechnical, and environmental hazards on each site, and the field crew receives a briefing on those specifics before work begins — not a generic induction.
Pre-Task Planning
Before work starts each day, GSI crews complete a pre-task planning process that reviews the day's tasks, identifies changed conditions since the last shift, and confirms that controls are in place. This is a genuine field-level process — not paperwork completed in an office. Conditions on active geohazard sites change; our pre-task planning is designed to catch those changes before they become incidents.
Equipment Inspection & Maintenance
GSI owns and maintains its own fleet of specialist plant — drill rigs, grouting equipment, slope protection systems, and rope access gear. All equipment is maintained to manufacturer specifications and inspected before each use. Rope access equipment follows IRATA inspection protocols. We do not use equipment that is not in verified working order, regardless of schedule pressure.
Near-Miss Reporting Culture
GSI maintains an active near-miss and unsafe condition reporting system. Near misses are treated as valuable safety data, not evidence of failure. The goal is to identify and eliminate hazard pathways before they result in injury. Senior management reviews all near-miss reports and any systemic issues are addressed at a company-wide level.
Continuous Training
Safety training at GSI is ongoing, not a one-off induction. Engineers and field crew participate in regular technical updates, first aid refreshers, and task-specific competency assessments. Supervisors hold current first aid certification. Field crew working at height, in confined spaces, or in other high-risk environments hold the relevant certifications for those environments.
IRATA — The Global Standard for Rope Access Safety
IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) is the internationally recognised body that sets the safety standard for industrial rope access work. Established in the offshore oil and gas industry, IRATA's standards are now applied across construction, inspection, and specialist contracting worldwide.
GSI requires all rope access technicians to hold current IRATA certification at the appropriate level for their role. Supervisors hold Level 3 — the highest operational certification — and are responsible for the safety of the crew and the integrity of the rope access system on every job.
IRATA certification requires ongoing training, periodic reassessment, and a minimum number of documented rope access hours. It is not a one-time qualification — it must be maintained and renewed.
ACCREDITATIONS & PREQUALIFICATIONS
GSI New Zealand holds formal prequalification across New Zealand's leading health and safety assessment schemes — independently assessed and verified.
SITEWISE GOLD — 100%
Geostabilization New Zealand Ltd has achieved a SiteWise score of 100% — the highest possible rating under SiteSafe New Zealand's contractor health and safety prequalification scheme. SiteWise Gold status is required for work across many of New Zealand's major infrastructure clients.
TŌTIKA — CATEGORY 2
GSI New Zealand holds Tōtika Performing accreditation under the Qualify365 health and safety prequalification scheme, with High Risk Activity Endorsements for Abseiling/Rope Access and Drilling Services. Tōtika is recognised across New Zealand's construction and infrastructure sectors.
GSI New Zealand is also pre-qualified with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi for State Highway geotechnical and slope works.
Get in Touch
Safety Built In,
Not Bolted On.
Every GSI project comes with a site-specific hazard management plan as standard. Talk to us about how we'll manage safety on your site.
Discuss Your Project