Site Safe NZ Health and Safety at Work Act 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'reasonably practicable' mean under the HSWA 2015?
- What is reasonably able to be done considering likelihood, harm severity, knowledge, availability, and cost of controls (Correct answer)
- Whatever the employer decides is practical
- The cheapest available solution
- What other similar businesses are currently doing
Correct answer: What is reasonably able to be done considering likelihood, harm severity, knowledge, availability, and cost of controls
Reasonably practicable requires weighing the likelihood of the hazard or risk, the degree of harm, what the person knows or ought to know, the availability of ways to eliminate or minimise the risk, and the cost.
Question 2: Which of the following is a 'notifiable event' under the HSWA 2015?
- The death of a person arising from work (Correct answer)
- A minor cut requiring a plaster
- A near miss that caused no injury
- A worker calling in sick
Correct answer: The death of a person arising from work
A notifiable event includes death, notifiable injury or illness, or a notifiable incident arising out of work. These must be reported to WorkSafe.
Question 3: What is a 'notifiable injury or illness' under the HSWA 2015?
- An injury or illness requiring immediate treatment as an inpatient in a hospital (Correct answer)
- Any injury requiring first aid
- A headache caused by workplace stress
- An injury that results in one day off work
Correct answer: An injury or illness requiring immediate treatment as an inpatient in a hospital
Notifiable injuries include those requiring immediate treatment as an inpatient in hospital, amputation, serious burns, spinal injuries, and other serious conditions specified in the Act.
Question 4: How soon must a notifiable event be reported to WorkSafe?
- As soon as possible after the event (Correct answer)
- Within 7 working days
- Within 30 days
- At the next scheduled inspection
Correct answer: As soon as possible after the event
The PCBU must notify WorkSafe as soon as possible after becoming aware that a notifiable event has occurred.
Question 5: Under the HSWA 2015, what must a PCBU provide to workers at no cost?
- Information, training, instruction, and supervision necessary for health and safety (Correct answer)
- Unlimited overtime pay for safety meetings
- Personal vehicles for commuting safely
- Private health insurance
Correct answer: Information, training, instruction, and supervision necessary for health and safety
PCBUs must provide workers with necessary information, training, instruction, and supervision to protect them from risks to health and safety, at no cost to the worker.
Question 6: What is the maximum penalty for a Category 1 offence under the HSWA 2015 for an individual?
- Up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to $600,000 (Correct answer)
- A fine of $50,000 only
- Up to 1 year imprisonment
- A written warning from WorkSafe
Correct answer: Up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of up to $600,000
A Category 1 offence (reckless conduct exposing a person to risk of death or serious injury) carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $600,000 for an individual.
Site Safe NZ Health and Safety at Work Act 2
What does 'reasonably practicable' mean under the HSWA 2015?