Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 — Construction sector

Construction health and safety — NZ guide

SSSP, SWMS, working at height, and principal contractor obligations — for NZ construction businesses.

Construction is one of the highest-risk industries in New Zealand. The HSWA and WorkSafe's sector-specific guidance impose significant obligations on principal contractors, subcontractors, and designers. These guides cover the most commonly asked questions for NZ construction businesses.

Construction guides
HSWA s.35

Site-Specific Safety Plan (SSSP)

What must be in it, who prepares it, and how to keep it current.

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HSWA s.36

Working at height

Fall risk hierarchy, scaffolding, SWMS, and ladder rules.

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HSWA ss.34–35

Contractor safety obligations

Principal contractor duties, overlapping duties, and subcontractor management.

Read guide →
Also on Workstep
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Building Act

When consent is required

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Manual handling

Safe lifting for construction

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WorkSafe NZ

Construction sector guidance

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Risk assessment

How to conduct a risk assessment

Construction companies: give your site teams instant answers

Workstep lets your site managers and workers ask safety questions and get answers from your SSSP, SWMS, and NZ legislation.

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