Health & Safety 101

Since the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 came into place, specialised advisors and consultants have been popping up all over New Zealand. But how do you know who’s genuine? It’s all about doing your groundwork.

What to look for when seeking help

The old saying ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ is very true. Start with asking questions and learning about health and safety. Then find someone you trust who can advise you clearly about what you actually need. Check to ensure they have qualifications in H&S, NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) or at least Level 6 in Health and Safety. Interview them just like you would an employee.

There are misconceptions about consultants 

One of the most common misconceptions is that it costs an arm and a leg. It’s true that the higher the risk in your business, the more you need and the more regularly you need to be covering it (hence higher costs). However, it’s completely possible to cover the basics and do it well in most businesses, without it costing the earth. Talk to your consultant about what would work for your business and how to incorporate that in your normal activities.

How to start the process 

Many consultants offer a free, initial meeting to answer questions. Experts in HR and H&S can advise on both and how they interact with each other. For example: Does your job description include expectations around H&S? Many don’t.

Saving money and time on health and safety

The more planning you do, the better. Have copies of your job description, employment agreements, and any health and safety processes you already have in place. Secondly, get some training. A one-day course to gain an understanding of what the law requires is about $250, which is a small price for valuable information.

And finally...

·      Get valuable health and safety information from WorkSafe

·      Find a health and safety professional at www.register.hasanz.org.nz/

·      Check out Active+ for workstation assessments, occupational health advice, and more.