Safety Bulletins

How Much Control or Influence?

WorkSafe NZ, in its position statement says the steps that duty holders must take depends on how much influence and control they have over what has created the risk. The ACoP calls a duty holder, in a position of control, the person in charge.

In its other communications WorkSafe NZ has stated that while all people should look out for their own health and safety it will focus attention on those people (PCBUs) who have most control or influence in the particular circumstances.

PCBUs must consult and cooperate with each other; coordinate their activities!

PF Olsen considers that the PCBU in charge of the work-site, doing the main/most of the work is the PCBU with the most control or influence in the particular circumstances. They are the Prime PCBU. Examples of interactions between a Prime and Minor PCBU and what each should expect and/or provide each other will be published soon.

Expectations and Advance Preparations

A Service Provider (potentially a Minor PCBU) would expect to receive an induction from the Prime PCBU, the person in charge, and would anticipate further direction in line with the ACoP s. 2.7 - Visitors. While Service Providers do not perform the main work and likely spend less time at a work-site they still have responsibilities. Among these is the provision of information, including having (1) the forest owner's permit, (2) written procedures, (3) training records, (4) hazard risk assessments, (5) a site isolation procedure, (6) a communication procedure, and (7) an emergency procedure especially if they will be working alone. It would make good sense to provide most of this information well in advance of any work at the site.

View this article in Safety Bulletin 101