- Hon Brooke van Velden
WorkSafe has created a new prequalification template designed to make it easier for construction businesses to be brought on to jobs, which will be especially helpful for smaller contractors, says Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden.
Prequalification is a process for checking a contractor's health and safety practices before hiring them.
"I heard widespread frustration about a lack of consistency and duplication within New Zealand's prequalification systems. Businesses can be asked to get a new prequalification for every job they tender for, with varying requirements for each. They can also be asked for the same information multiple times, for the same job.
"Some said they had to walk away from clients because the cost of getting prequalified was not worth the value of the work. One submitter said they had to complete 76 prequalifications in a year," says Ms van Velden.
In response to a direction by Minister van Velden, WorkSafe New Zealand has released a position statement and template to clarify expectations around the use of prequalifications and support a more consistent approach across the industry.
"These resources support a more consistent, risk-based approach to contractor assessment, which should help avoid unnecessary cost, and reinforce that effective contractor management is about capability and practice, not paperwork alone.
"These simple changes will save time and money, especially helping small businesses, and the Kiwis who hire them."
The prequalification template can be used by small businesses and sole traders to gather and present information about their health and safety practices. It should be used alongside WorkSafe's position statement.
My officials will work with relevant government agencies, including those responsible for infrastructure, construction, and procurement. I expect the new template will be useful for government procurement processes so businesses do not need to complete multiple forms to 'prequalify' for working with different agencies. This would help those contracting with government by making bids for work more consistent and cost-effective.
Note to editors:
The position statement and template are available on the WorkSafe website:
- Position statement: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/laws-and-regulations/operational-policy-framework/worksafe-positions/work-health-safety-info-needed-before-hiring-contractors/
- Template: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/getting-started/understanding-the-law/overlapping-duties/
