Find information below on how to submit your safety case to us, and what processes will be followed once we receive your submission.

Our current guidance on submissions is found in section 1.7 of the Safety case good practice guidelines

How to submit a safety case

Operators should provide two hard copies of their safety cases as well as an electronic version. Operators may wish to provide the electronic version by sending in a USB stick, or through online files sharing systems.

The relevant fee (including GST) must accompany the safety case you give to WorkSafe. The fee can be paid in advance, and it’s worth requesting an invoice a month before you expect to submit your safety case.

Operators should ensure that they submit a completed concordance document with their safety case. This can be found on the MHF forms and tools page. 

Safety cases can be submitted to our New Plymouth office:

New Plymouth address

PO Box

WorkSafe New Zealand
High Hazard Unit
Major Hazard Facilities
PO Box 342
New Plymouth 4340

Street address

WorkSafe New Zealand
High Hazard Unit
Major Hazard Facilities
Level 2
214 Devon Street East
New Plymouth 4340

Email

hhu.mhf@worksafe.govt.nz

Attention

Tania Shepherd

What operators may expect following safety case submission

Safety case arrives at WorkSafe

We check that the submitted safety case and related documentation is correct.

We confirm your safety case has arrived at WorkSafe.

We check that the safety case is complete. This is known as a “concordance check”

The assigned inspector checks the safety case to see that it is complete and that there is no missing information that is required by the Regulations. We use the concordance checklist and Schedule 7 of the MHF Regulations(external link) for this.

If your safety case is found to be incomplete, we will send you a missing information request letter explaining what is missing.

It is intended that you will only receive one request of this nature per safety case. There is no regulatory timeframe around this process, but we will request that the missing information is provided within a reasonable timeframe.

Safety case is complete and its assessment is scheduled

The safety case is formally received as complete and ready for assessment once we have checked that there is no missing information. 

You will be sent a letter to confirm that the safety case is formally received for assessment.

Safety case is assessed

Once assessment starts we will assess it in line with the timeframes in the Regulations.

We may need more information on certain matters to make a decision.  

Should this happen, you will receive a letter requesting further information made under Regulation 47(external link), setting out the information we need to make a decision.

See Dealing with requests for further information

In some cases, the safety case may be initially rejected.

If the safety case is initially rejected, you will be informed of this and the reasons for it. You will be required to resubmit an amended safety case.

See Dealing with an initial rejection

Amended safety case arrives at WorkSafe (when safety case was initially rejected)

We check that the submitted safety case and related documentation is correct, that we have two copies and a searchable electronic copy.

We then continue through the same process of concordance checking, assessment, requests for further information and final decision making described here. 

We will send you a letter confirming that your amended safety case has arrived.

If your amended safety case is found to be incomplete, we will send you a missing information request letter explaining what is missing.

You will be sent a letter to confirm that the amended safety case is formally received and assessment will begin.

You may receive requests for further information.

Final decision made

We will make a final decision to accept or reject the safety case using the criteria in Regulation 49(external link).

Conditions may be placed on the safety case using Regulation 50(external link).

If the decision is to finally reject the safety case you can no longer operate the upper tier MHF - see Regulation 51(external link).

You will be sent a letter with the decision and the reasons for this.

If your safety case is finally rejected, we will discuss this decision with you before you receive this letter. You can apply for a review of the decision under Regulation 60(external link).

Dealing with requests for further information

A request for further information (RFI) will lay out what information is being sought and why; a time period to respond will be specified, this period cannot be less than 30 days. If the period proposed presents a problem to the operator, they will need to approach us to see if an alternative timeframe can be negotiated.

RFI are only issued in relation to the matters specified in Schedule 7 of the MHF regulations(external link) (Information required in safety case). Operators should be aware that there are other criteria for acceptance of a safety case listed in regulation 49.

Dealing with an initial rejection

If a safety case is initially rejected, the operator will be informed of what the deficiencies were and will be allowed a reasonable period of time to amend their safety case and resubmit.