Employers

As an employer, you have a general duty to make your workplace safe, as well as specific duties in relation to hazards such as plant.

You must identify hazards associated with plant and eliminate any risk involved.

If it’s not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risk, you must reduce the risk, as far as reasonably practicable, by:

• using plant that has a lower level of risk
• using engineering controls, or
• isolating the plant from people

If there is still a risk after using these methods, you should reduce it by using administrative controls or personal protective equipment.

You must review (and, where necessary, revise) your risk controls if things change or at the request of a health and safety representative.

You must also consult employees and health and safety representatives when identifying hazards and deciding on control measures. For more information, see consultation.

Employers must also comply with a number of specific risk control duties covering:

• guarding, operator’s controls (including stop controls and warning devices), installation and commissioning, maintenance and inspections
• powered mobile plant (including rollover protection for tractors and industrial lift trucks)
• electrical plant and electrical hazards
• plant that lifts or suspends loads, including lifts, escalators and moving walkways for moving people,
• scaffolds
• provision of information, instruction and training to employees

View the regulations

If your worker has a work-related injury or illness, you have duties under the Accident Compensation Act, one of which is to ensure their safe return to work. The employer's obligations include:

• appoint a return to work coordinator,
• develop and implement a return to work plan, and
• support and monitor your worker when they return to work.