frequently asked questions

Nope. Everything is provided through iQualify. However, if you're coming to a group training workshop, and you only have 1 screen/display you might want a printed course manual, especially if you're doing the initial HSR training course. The initial HSR training course manual is 70 pages and you'll need easy access to it during your assessment on Day 2. I have some printed course manuals available for purchase. Please send me an email to arrange this.

Group Guidance Sessions are always run on your chosen platform. You'll send me an invite to join your meeting. Group Training Workshops: My open group workshops all run using Google Meet. For in-house group training workshops, I'm flexible. Let's meet to discuss. I'm all set up for Google Meet (accessibility is limited: e.g., there's just one browser screen) I charge a small additional admin fee for Zoom workshops (or you can add my account to your company account for the duration of our workshops) For MS Teams, I'll need someone to run all the invites, resource-sharing, security settings and run the meeting. I'll need screen-sharing privileges, and might need someone to run breakout rooms. I don't have a paid personal/enterprise MS account, so there may be an additional fee. All other sessions (individual guidance, advocacy, supervision, consultations, learner support etc) : if Google Meet won't work for you, you can send me your own calendar invite to your preferred platform. Send me a message to make sure I see it. I'll confirm and meet you at your cyberplace instead.

If you're not a health and safety representative, there's no set number of days. There are general principles, but you'll need to talk through your requirements and options with your employer. If you'd like my help with that, send me a message or book a support session with me. Clauses 21-26 of the Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation Regulations set out training rights for Health and Safety Representatives. Read all 6 clauses to be sure you understand. Your PCBU is (usually) your employer. In short: If an HSR doesn't yet hold Unit Standard 29315 then they're entitled to 2 days' worth training to get it. Once an HSR has Unit Standard 29315 they can access up to 2 days per year for additional training. The legislation and regulations don't specify what this additional training could be about, so WorkSafe takes a broad view: the "entitlement allows you to attend training about workplace health and safety, or an aspect of workplace health and safety, that comes under the occupational health and safety subfield of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, or that you and your PCBU agree is relevant to the HSR role." So. Check in with the people who elected you to be their HSR. Asking them what kinds of things they'd like you to know more about. Then send me a message if you want help checking out training options. Note that your employer has to agree it's relevant: I can help you frame your request. Note: while PCBUs can't be required to provide more than the 'maximum' number of days' training per year (chart below), unions and good employers often agree to provide a higher number of training days. Check your Collective Employment Agreement, your Worker Participation Agreement or other HR/H&S policies.

The regulations say that Health and Safety Representatives can choose their training in consultation with their employer (PCBU) about the time, date, location and costs.  They have to let you know as soon as they can and within 3 months of your request.

Absolutely. As soon as you're elected, you gain all of the rights and functions of an HSR. You gain two additional powers when you complete training. Here's WorkSafe's easy intro to HSR rights and here's Schedule 2 of the legislation, which lists all HSR (and Committee) rights. It's a lot. It's easy to feel overloaded with this new role. Attending my initial HSR training workshop will help you understand your functions and fulfil them effectively. You'll feel empowered and know where to focus your energy. You'll be assessed for Unit Standard 29315 (a current requirement of initial HSR training) during your workshop. Once you pass assessment for US29315 you can:  issue Provisional Improvement Notices (PINs) to address a health or safety problem,  and  order unsafe work to cease

I'm always happy to re-send templates and have a chat. Send me a message and I'll get onto it. If you're requesting a Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) or Recommendation template/examples, you can check the WorkSafe website too. Remember you can book an individual guidance session for support. If your Health & Safety Committee wants help, you could get together and book me in for a group guidance session. I'll negotiate fairly on price if your employer refuses to pay.

If you've passed your assessment, you'll get a congratulatory email as soon as you've provided all of the correct answers. My email will ask you to fill out a form asking for lots more information to ensure your Unit Standard (29315) is correctly assigned to your NZQA record through the Open Polytechnic. Once NZQA have updated your record, you'll have formal evidence of your Unit Standard. You can contact NZQA anytime to check your current record. As soon as I receive your form submission, I'll send you a certificate and email you can forward to your manager and H&S team. Congratulations!

Of course! If you want to achieve Unit Standard 29315, then you will need to complete the initial HSR training course. This does NOT automatically give you HSR rights: you must also be a worker formally elected by members of your workgroup to represent them on health and safety matters (see WorkSafe). If you're elected in future, you should still refresh your training but you won't need to repeat your US29315 assessment.

If you're a Health & Safety Representative and have not yet passed assessment for Unit Standard 29315 then you should do the initial HSR training course to gain your full powers. Contact NZQA if you're not sure whether you have US29315. It was introduced around the time when our legislation changed (2015). If you're an HSR and you already hold US29315, you don't need to repeat the initial training or assessment even if you've changed workplaces. You'll love the Workplace Leaders training course.

Senior/executive leaders or board members are always welcome. Note: If you're also an HSR (for a senior management workgroup, for example) you probably want to get the Unit Standard by doing the initial HSR training course. Are you a Health & Safety Officer? ​Many people in senior management roles believe they are a Health and Safety Officer or PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), but it's not always the case. Check with your employer to find out who the Health and Safety Officers are at your workplace. H&S Officers are executive governance roles with specific responsibilities and obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act. If your role influences how the organisation is managed then you could be an Officer. If you only advise or make recommendations then you are not an Officer. Click here for the WorkSafe FAQs. You'll absorb really useful perspectives in our training, but you'll need much more. Send me an email if you'd like help finding reputable additional training and governance resources. In the meantime, check out the good stuff at the Business Leaders Health & Safety Forum.

I only charge this if I've incurred costs. I pay the Workers' Education Trust and iQualify for the number of learners I have per month. I enrol learners at the very end of each month, for one month at a time. If you withdraw after I've enrolled you, or need another month of access, I'll have incurred extra costs. For 2026, I pass this cost on to you through a small administration fee of $30.