Document Hierarchy (How these pieces fit together)
Tier 1 — PCBU Health & Safety Policy (this document): Legal duties under HSWA, including primary duty of care, “reasonably practicable”, officer due diligence, notifiable events, overlapping PCBUs.
Tier 2 — Health & Safety Policy (HSMS manual): Operating model for our H&S system — roles, engagement/HSR/HSC, risk process, emergency/first‑aid framework, document control.
Change control: All controlled documents carry version/date and are stored centrally. Superseded versions are archived. The PCBU policy references (but does not repeat) detailed procedures in Tier 2–3.
1. Primary duty of care & reasonably practicable
We will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others affected by our work. When deciding what is reasonably practicable we consider the likelihood and severity of harm, what is known or ought reasonably be known about the hazard and controls, the availability and suitability of controls, and whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the risk.
2. Risk management
Identify hazards using pre‑task Take‑5/JSA; maintain a hazard/risk register.
Assess using a likelihood × consequence matrix; prioritise high risks.
Control using the hierarchy of controls (eliminate → substitute → isolate → engineer → admin → PPE).
Verify via inspections, spot checks, and incident trend reviews.
Boundaries: if elimination is not reasonably practicable, we minimise risks so far as reasonably practicable.
3. Duties & responsibilities
Role
Responsibilities
Officers (Directors/CEO)
Exercise due diligence by taking reasonable steps to: acquire H&S knowledge; understand operational risks; ensure resources and processes for risk management; ensure processes for incident response & compliance; and verify that these are being implemented.
PCBU Lead (H&S)
Maintain this policy, risk registers and procedures; ensure training and inductions occur; coordinate with overlapping PCBUs; keep incident & training records; report monthly to Officers.
Workers (employees/contractors)
Take reasonable care for their own safety and that of others; follow procedures; use PPE; report hazards, incidents, and near misses; stop work if unsafe.
Health & Safety Representative (HSR) / Committee (HSC)
Where appointed/requested, represent workers; help with inspections, investigations, and consultation; escalate unresolved issues via the issue resolution process.
We will engage with workers on matters likely to affect their health and safety and provide reasonable opportunities to participate in improving H&S.
Any worker may request an HSR election; if requested, we will facilitate elections and, where appropriate, establish an HSC with clear terms of reference and meeting cadence.
We will document our issue‑resolution process and share it with all workers and contractors.
5. Overlapping PCBUs (client sites)
We will consult, cooperate and coordinate with client PCBUs and site controllers, including agreeing responsibilities for permits, isolations/LOTO, supervision, inductions and emergency arrangements.
Our workers will comply with client site rules and stop work if controls are inadequate.
6. Notifiable events
We define notifiable events as a death, a notifiable injury or illness, or a notifiable incident (serious risk from immediate or imminent exposure to specified hazards).
Preserve the site: where safe, we will preserve the site of a notifiable event and anything associated with it.
Notify WorkSafe ASAP: by the fastest practicable means (phone 0800 030 040, then online form). Provide required details and cooperate with any directions.
Keep records 5 years: we maintain a record of each notifiable event for at least five years from the date we notify the regulator.
We will investigate incidents (including near misses) to identify causes and improvements.
7. Emergency planning & first aid
Maintain an emergency plan appropriate to remote and client sites, covering: response, evacuation, contacting emergency services (111), medical treatment and assistance, and effective communication.
At client sites: follow the site’s emergency procedures and locate muster points on arrival.
Ensure adequate first aid arrangements (kits, access to trained first aiders or services) for the work undertaken.
Test and review the plan at least annually, and after any significant change or event.
8. Remote / isolated work & lone working
Identify remote or isolated tasks and implement effective communication and check‑ins.
Default check‑in cadence: start + every 2 hours for after‑hours/isolated jobs (customise per risk). Escalation: no response after 10 minutes → attempt contact; 20 minutes → escalate to H&S Lead; 30 minutes → contact site/client manager; immediate 111 if serious concern.
Workers must decline work where safe communication cannot be maintained.
9. Information, training, instruction, supervision & PPE
Provide role‑based inductions and training; maintain a training matrix and refreshers.
Provide and maintain suitable PPE where residual risk remains; enforce its correct use.
Ensure appropriate supervision for higher‑risk tasks or inexperienced workers.
10. Related policies & procedures
Health and Safety Policy (organisation‑wide)
Remote Working Equipment Policy (workstation setup, equipment & reimbursement)
