FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a health and safety system?
Yes, all businesses need to have health and safety systems in their workplace. However, one size does not fit all. The complexity of the system depends on the risk their workers are exposed to. For example, a sole trader working from home doing IT will need much less than a construction business.
Does my health and safety system need to be documented?
The simple answer is yes. A system is something that can be replicated by different people in various places and under different circumstances. The easiest way to ensure this is to have a documented system in place. It doesn’t have to be all words; use pictures, diagrams and flow charts. It can be either on paper or in digital form.
Do my team members need access to the health and safety system?
Yes, they do. At least to the parts that impact them. The main manual can be available to them, but they probably don’t need immediate access. The hazard risk register, for instance, needs to be readily accessible. Again, it can be on paper or digital.
Can I get an off-the-shelf health and safety system?
Of course, but it probably won't meet your needs fully. You will need to adapt it, often significantly. Your health and safety system should look like your business – what you do, where you do it, who does it, and how it is done.
What's special about a Safewise health and safety system?
We will tailor your health and safety system to your business and work with you to ensure it meets your needs. Obviously, there are standard requirements in all systems, but how you manage them may differ from how other businesses do, even ones in the same industry.
Do I get to talk to a Safewise consultant before agreeing to work with them?
Safewise offers a free meeting with all potential clients before we agree to work together. This gives us a chance to get to know each other a little, to assess your needs and to agree on what the work will consist of.
What makes the Safewise team different?
Firstly, we love to build relationships with our clients - we are always here to support you. Secondly, our consultants are all qualified members of the New Zealand Institute of Safey Management (NZISM) and are on the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ). They meet a high standard that demonstrates their knowledge and commitment to workplace health and safety.
We don’t have accidents - why should we have a health and safety system?
In our experience, most businesses do operational health and safety well – they don’t have a lot of accidents. However, like all systems, a health and safety system needs to be managed. It needs to be reviewed and updated. It’s the difference between good luck and good management.
Will a Safewise health and safety system meet legislative requirements?
Yes. Our systems meet the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and ISO45001.