• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Christchurch Ph +64 3 348 8480
  • Hokitika Ph +64 3 755 8673
  • Rolleston Ph +64 3 348 8480
Parry Field Lawyers
  • Home
  • Our People
  • Services
    • Property
      • Residential
      • Construction
      • Subdivisions
      • Commercial
      • Leasing
    • Advisory
      • Sale & Purchases
      • Financing
      • Governance
      • Technology/IT
      • Capital Raising
      • Employment
    • Disputes
      • Court, Tribunals and Arbitrations
      • Estates & Wills
      • Divorce & Separation
      • Insurance
      • Employment
      • Family
      • Company & Shareholding
      • Debt Collection
      • Construction
    • Trusts & Asset Planning
      • Wills & Enduring Powers of Attorney
      • Estates
      • Succession Planning
    • Charities/Social Enterprises
      • Not for Profits
      • Churches
      • Sports Groups
      • Social Enterprises
      • Impact Investing
      • Community Groups
    • Immigration
      • Work Visas
      • Family Visas
      • Skilled Migrants
      • Business and Investment Visas
      • Potentially Prejudicial Information
      • Employer Assistance
      • Overseas Investment
  • Resources
    • Guides
      • COVID-19 Legal Handbook
      • Buying & Selling Property
      • Death & Estates
      • Family Trusts
      • Churches Handbook
      • Start Ups Legal Toolkit
      • Social Enterprises in New Zealand Handbook
    • Articles
      • Tomorrow’s Board Diversity: The Role of Creatives
      • Charting the Future: A framework for thinking about change
      • Resources for COVID-19 Related Issues
      • The new Finance Guarantee Scheme: Could it help your business during Covid-19?
      • COVID-19: Paying your employees
      • COVID-19: Key Legal Issues for Charities
      • Making Employees Redundant – The Importance of the “Why”
    • Videos
      • Force Majeure” clauses in Contracts and COVID-19
      • Buying your first home: Key issues (a practical guide from a first home buyer)
      • Property sale and purchases and COVID-19
      • COVID-19 and Commercial Leases
      • Seeds Podcast
    • Templates
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Terms and Conditions Including Software
      • Non-Disclosure Agreement – Two Way
      • Independent Contractors Agreement
      • Shareholders’ Resolutions – Written resolution
      • Share Transfer
      • Incorporation – First Shareholder Resolutions
      • Incorporation – First Directors’ Resolutions
      • Non-Disclosure Agreement – One Way
  • Careers
  • About
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Health and Safety: 10 Key points to be aware of

Business, Governance

There is often confusion over Health and Safety – the rules have been around for a while now but we still get some common questions.  Below we set out some of the key points to consider to ensure compliance. Check out our other guidance on these topics as well.

Top 10 things to know

  • Be aware
    • The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 has been in force for a few years and it has introduced greater accountability for Health & Safety for your organisation if you employ staff.
  • Are you a ‘PCBU’?
    • If you are a “Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking” then you are a PCBU.  A PCBU can operate in a voluntary way without primarily being set up to make money.  It has the primary duty of care in a workplace. See below for more on this.
  • Officers of PCBUs
    • Directors, managers and leaders of the PCBU also face significant penalties under the Act for failing to exercise due diligence in ensuring the PCBU carries out its duties.
  • To start: Identify risks
    • Ensure all risks and hazards are in your organisation are identified.  Start by looking at the facility, entry and exit points, stage areas, equipment used, the people, the weather … what are the risks where you are?
  • Control & Eliminate
    • Put procedures in place to control or eliminate risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable.
  • Prepare
    • Maintain a health and safety policy with the help of your employees.  Put it into action and ensure your employees and contractors are aware of it and follow it – don’t just hide it in a drawer!
  • Tailor your documents
    • Customise your documents so they are practical for you.  One size does not fit all. It may be that a consultant is worth hiring to help you prepare documentation as well.
  • Check your visitors
    • If other contractors or other entities come on to your property you must ensure they have proper health and safety procedures in place and provide you with a copy.  Ask for it and check it!
  • Standing item
    • It is good practice to have this topic as a standing item at your board meetings.
  • Remember the penalties are high
    • Fines of up to $3 million and imprisonment of up to 5 years can be imposed.  “She’ll be right” is no longer OK. Think about these issues now, not later

This article is not a substitute for legal advice and you should contact your lawyer about your specific situation. Please feel free to contact Steven Moe at stevenmoe@parryfield.com

Share this entry
  • Share on WhatsApp
https://www.parryfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/abendstimmung-4315445_1920.jpg 1280 1920 Sarah McDermid https://www.parryfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Parry-Field-Lawyers-Logo.png Sarah McDermid2021-02-04 10:40:052021-02-04 10:40:05Health and Safety: 10 Key points to be aware of

Christchurch

PHONE: +64 3 348 8480
FAX: +64 3 348 6305

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
1 Rimu Street, Riccarton,
Christchurch 8041

POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO Box 8020, Riccarton,
Christchurch, 8440

Hokitika

PHONE: +64 3 755 8673
FAX: +64 3 755 8073

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
26 Weld Street,
Hokitika 7810

POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO Box 44,
Hokitika 7842

Rolleston

PHONE: +64 3 348 8480
FAX: +64 3 348 6305

PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
68 Rolleston Drive,
Rolleston, 7614

POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO Box 8020, Riccarton,
Christchurch, 8440

Make an enquiry

Parry Field Charitable Foundation

Parry Field charitable members of NZ LAw, Global Cross Legal and SCLA

Newsletter signup

70 Years of Excellence logo

© Copyright Parry Field Lawyers. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Engagement Brought to life by Happy Monday Ltd
Governance for Faith Based Organisations Health & Safety: Volunteers
Scroll to top