Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

General FAQs

Who is responsible for workplace health and safety, what are the key changes to the law, what do you need to do, and why was the law changed?

Business FAQs

Who or what is a PCBU, and what is the primary duty of care?

Worker FAQs

What protections are in place for workers, can your employment be terminated if you report a health and safety issue or refuse to work because you believe it's unsafe to do so, and what you can do if your business is not involving workers in health and safety.

Worker engagement and participation FAQs

What’s the difference between engagement and participation, do I need to involve all workers in engagement and participation, and when is engagement required?

Officer FAQs

Who is an 'officer' under the Act and who is not, understanding due diligence, and do volunteers officers have a duty of due diligence.

HSR and HSC FAQs

What is an HSR, do all businesses need to have an HSR or a Health and Safety Committee (HSC), what is a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN), and can HSRs, trained under the HSE Act 1992, issue PINs or cease unsafe work orders under HSWA?

Volunteer FAQs

When is a volunteer a volunteer worker, do volunteer workers have any responsibility for health and safety, what does it mean for a volunteer association to 'employ' a person, is a volunteer association a PCBU if it is run by volunteer workers?

School FAQs

Who is responsible for health and safety at a school, is the school board liable if a child is hurt on the school playground, who has the primary duty of care at a school, and who is responsible for the health and safety of students when they are on a school camp?

Property management FAQs

Answers to questions about the responsibilities of property managers and owners, and body corporates under the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Gas (Safety & Measurement) Regulations and Electricity (Safety) Regulations.