Site inductions in New Zealand: a subbie’s guide
A site induction is the briefing a main contractor gives before you work on their site. It covers the site rules, hazards, emergency arrangements and who to report to. It is part of engaging workers on health and safety under HSWA 2015, and your SSSP records that your crew has been inducted.
What an induction covers
- •The site layout, access, parking and amenities
- •The known site hazards and the controls in place
- •Emergency arrangements: assembly points, first aid, and who co-ordinates a response
- •Site rules, sign-in and reporting lines
- •How to raise a hazard or a concern
Your part as a subcontractor
Your SSSP includes a site induction record so you can show your crew has been inducted and briefed on your task analyses. Engaging your workers this way is part of your duty under sections 58 and 59 of HSWA to involve workers in health and safety.
Induction is not a one-off
New workers, and workers returning after a break, are inducted before they start. When the work or the hazards change, the crew is re-briefed. The SSSP’s review schedule keeps this on track.
Common questions
Is a site induction a general safety qualification?
No. A site induction is specific to one site and is run by the main contractor for that site. It is not a transferable qualification. Separately, many main contractors expect Site Safe training or SiteWise prequalification as evidence of general safety competence, which you carry from job to job.
Does my SSSP need to mention inductions?
Yes. The SSSP includes a site induction and training section and an induction record, so you can show that everyone on your crew has been briefed on the site and on your task analyses before starting work.
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