Health & Safety - Choosing a Professional
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
Not sure how to choose the right health and safety professional for your business? The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) had developed a national, online register of workplace health and safety professional designed to assist companies and organisations with finding the right professional for them. Established in 2014, this national umbrella organisation representing all workplace health and safety professions, believes it is critical for businesses to have confidence in the competence of health and safety professionals.
Member organisations include:
- Australian/New Zealand Society of Occupational Medicine (ANZSOM)
- Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand (HFESNZ)
- Maintenance Engineers Society of New Zealand (MESNZ)
- NZ Institute of Hazardous Substances Management (NZIHSM)
- New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM)
- NZ Occupational Health Nurses Association (NZOHNA)
- NZ Occupational Hygiene Society (NZOHS)
- New Zealand Safety Council (NZSC)
- Occupational Therapy New Zealand (OTNZ)
- Physiotherapy New Zealand (Occupational Health Group)
When looking to employ a health and safety consultant we recommend asking these five questions:
- Which professional association do you belong to – can you confirm this?
- What qualifications and/or certification do you have?
- What relevant skills and experience do you have for this job?
- Can you give me examples of similar work you have done recently?
- Are you happy for us to contact your clients about your work for them?
It's worthwhile checking the HASANZ register and also the professional grade awarded to them by one of the member organisations above.
Misconceptions about consultants
One of the most common misconceptions is that it costs an arm and a leg. It’s true 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 Health & Safety can advise on both and how they interact with each other. For example: does your job description include expectations around Health & Safety? 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 will provide valuable information.
If you need some advice around your Health & Safety procedures, get in touch with us.
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