Is Your NZ Small Business Compliant? A Simple Health & Safety Checklist (Step‑By‑Step)
The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) applies to every Kiwi business — even if it’s just you and a part‑timer in the shed. Work through this checklist and you’ll meet your legal duties and protect your people in New Zealand.
1. Identify Hazards
Walk the floor, workshop or yard and list anything that could hurt someone. WorkSafe
Action steps
Download WorkSafe’s risk‑assessment form.
Involve your crew — they know the shortcuts and pinch‑points you don’t.
Rank each hazard by likelihood and consequence.
2. Implement Control Measures
Use the hierarchy of controls: eliminate first, PPE last.
Action steps
Document chosen controls in a risk register.
Assign a person responsible and a due‑date for each fix.
3. Engage Employees
Workers must be able to raise concerns without fear.
Action steps
If you have 20+ staff (or if any worker asks), elect an H&S representative and record the vote.
Hold a short monthly safety catch‑up and email the minutes.
4. Provide Training
Action steps
Enrol staff in free WorkSafe or industry‑body online modules.
Keep certificates in a cloud folder and expiry dates on a shared calendar.
5. Maintain Records
Good records prove good practice.
Action steps
Store incident forms, meeting minutes and training docs for at least five years.
Back up digital files automatically to the cloud.
6. Review and Update Policies
Action steps
Set a recurring calendar reminder for an annual policy review.
Benchmark yourself with the free SafePlus self‑assessment tool.
Next Steps
Ticked the boxes but still unsure? Our expert H&S consultant Aria can translate the HSWA into plain English actions. Browse our small‑business packages or get in touch today.
