Operate Safe - An Introduction

Operate Safe is an approved accreditation regime enabling New Zealand roading and civil contractors to improve their health and safety record and to demonstrate their compliance with the requirements of the Health & Safety in Employment Act, 2003. It provides for industry self governance (ISG) using industry best practice. For a brochure about Operate Safe click here.

Operate Safe is administered by Roading New Zealand and is supported by the NZ Contractors' Federation (NZCF), The New Zealand Roadmarkers Association, the Department of Labour (DoL), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), Infratrain New Zealand and Transit New Zealand. Roading New Zealand is also addressing industry self governance in areas other than Health & Safety.

By registering with Operate Safe and completing the accreditation process, including training as required, contractors are assured of a systematic approach to managing health and safety in their businesses, as required by the Act.

Key benefits of registering include:

= Operate Safe Accredited Contractors will be eligible for client pre-qualification arrangements, e.g. all contracts let by Transit NZ require the project's contractor and supply chain to be part of an approved Health & Safety scheme such as Operate Safe. We are currently working with other road controlling authorities to ensure that Operate Safe will meet their pre-qualification requirements. Over 100 contracting organisations have signed up to Operate Safe -- click here for a list of those Operate Safe contractors who have provided us with contact details for publication on this website.

= Worker and public safety is improved.

= ACC levies are reduced by up to 15%. ACC audits are free to companies.

= All companies gain ACC Secondary Accreditation.

= Provides an industry-specific framework for health & safety management, with competency based mandatory H&S training for all employees.

= Benchmarking of contractors' health & safety performances.

= Industry can set and enforce its own standards.

= Provides companies with a strong defence against the harsh penalties contained in the Health & Safety in Employment Act.

Approval of Operate Safe Accredited Contractors (see list) is undertaken by the Operate Safe Accreditation Board.