5 Things WorkSafe
Checks First
A practical guide for NZ construction, manufacturing, and logistics businesses. Check your business against these five items before WorkSafe checks for you.
When a WorkSafe inspector arrives at your workplace — announced or unannounced — there are five things they look at first. These aren't obscure regulatory technicalities. They're the basics that every PCBU is expected to have in place.
The good news: all five are fixable. The bad news: most NZ SMEs are missing at least two of them right now.
Work through this checklist honestly. If you can't tick every box — we can fix that for a fixed price of $2,200 + GST, completed within days.
Your H&S Policy is the foundation of your compliance. It sets out your commitment to health and safety, who is responsible for what, and how your business manages risk. It must be current — reviewed within the last 12 months — and signed by the most senior person in the business.
A policy downloaded from the internet five years ago with someone else's company name partially edited out does not count. WorkSafe inspectors have seen it all.
Ask yourself: Do you have a signed H&S Policy specific to your business? When was it last reviewed? Is the signature current?
A Hazard Register identifies every significant hazard present in your workplace — the physical environment, the equipment you use, the substances you work with, and the tasks your people perform. It must be specific to your site and your operations.
A generic list of hazards that could apply to any business anywhere is not a Hazard Register. WorkSafe wants to see that you've actually walked your site, identified your specific risks, and documented them.
Ask yourself: Does your Hazard Register name the specific hazards in your workplace? When was it last updated? Does it reflect any changes to your operations or premises?
Your Emergency Management Plan must document what happens when something goes wrong. This includes your assembly points, who is responsible for what in an emergency, where your first aid kits are located, who your first aid officers are, and how you contact emergency services.
Every worker must know these procedures — not just that a document exists somewhere. Regular emergency drills are expected and should be recorded with dates.
Ask yourself: Do your workers know where to go in an emergency? Do they know who the first aid officer is? When did you last run a drill and is it documented?
Risk assessments document the specific tasks your workers perform, the hazards associated with each task, the likelihood and consequence of harm, the controls you have in place, and any additional controls needed. They must be current and specific to the actual work being done.
High-risk work — working at heights, operating forklifts, manual handling, working with hazardous substances — requires documented Safe Work Procedures (SWPs) in addition to risk assessments.
Ask yourself: Have you documented the risks for the main tasks your workers perform? Are your risk assessments specific to how you actually work — not how a textbook says you should?
Every worker — employees, contractors, and visitors — must be inducted before they start work. Induction means they've been shown the hazards, the emergency procedures, the PPE requirements, and their responsibilities. And it must be documented with a signed checklist.
A verbal briefing is not evidence. "Everyone knows the drill" is not evidence. WorkSafe wants to see signed induction records with dates. If your records don't exist or can't be found — from WorkSafe's perspective the induction didn't happen.
Ask yourself: Do you have a signed induction checklist for every current worker? Can you produce those records right now if asked?
How Did You Score?
Significant exposure. A WorkSafe visit could result in immediate enforcement action. Act now.
Some foundations in place but gaps remain. You're exposed where it matters most.
Strong baseline. Consider Monthly Support to maintain compliance as your business evolves.
Remember — this is only the first five things WorkSafe checks. A full H&S compliance assessment covers up to 16 document areas specific to your industry and operations. If you scored less than 5 out of 5 on these basics, there are almost certainly gaps in your broader H&S documentation too.
What WorkSafe Can Do If Your Documentation Isn't Right
Improvement Notice
Requires you to fix specific H&S issues within a set timeframe. Failure to comply escalates to prosecution.
Prohibition Notice
Stops work immediately until the issue is resolved. Your business cannot operate until WorkSafe is satisfied.
Infringement Notice
On-the-spot fine issued for specific breaches. No court process required.
Prosecution
Court proceedings for serious breaches. Up to $300,000 for individuals. Up to $600,000 for companies.
The most important thing to understand: WorkSafe doesn't need to witness an incident to take action. If your documentation doesn't demonstrate that you've met your duty of care as a PCBU — that alone is grounds for enforcement action. Good documentation is your first and best defence.
How Operational Resilience NZ Fixes This
We come to you. We build your documentation. You're compliant within days.
We Come to You
2-hour onsite meeting at your premises. We do the work — you just show us around.
Up to 16 Documents
Complete H&S documentation suite tailored to your industry, site, and activities.
WorkSafe Compliant
Every document built to HSWA 2015 standards. Not generic templates — built for your business.
Secure Client Portal
Review, sign off, and download your documents through your private online portal.
Done in Days
From onsite meeting to compliant documentation in days — not weeks.
Optional Monthly Support
Stay compliant year-round with quarterly reviews and ongoing advisory support.
Ready to Get
WorkSafe Compliant?
Fixed price. No surprises. Built specifically for your business.
info@operationalresilience.co.nz · 027 218 2455 · operationalresilience.co.nz