Understanding the law

WorkSafe's role as a regulator

As New Zealand’s work health and safety regulator, our role is to engage, educate and enforce to embed and promote healthy and safe work practices so that everyone that goes to work comes home healthy and safe.

Primary duty of care

Under HSWA, a business or undertaking (PCBU) must look after the health and safety of its workers and any other workers it influences or directs.

Overlapping duties

Businesses working together for the health and safety of everyone in the workplace is a fundamental part of HSWA's design.

Upstream duties

Businesses who are in the supply chain have a duty to ensure that the work they do or the things they provide to other workplaces don't create health and safety risks.

Volunteers

Find out more about how HSWA applies to volunteers and officers who are volunteers.

What is a Health and Safety Representative?

An HSR is a worker who has been elected by the members of their work group to represent them in health and safety matters.

Offences and penalties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

There are a range of offences and penalties under HSWA and regulations. Imprisonment is reserved for the most serious offences.