Agriculture & Horticulture · Employer knowledge

Training & competency

Match information, instruction, training and supervision to the worker, the task and the actual risks — then check practical capability before higher-risk work is carried out independently.

Regulation 9 of the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 requires a PCBU, so far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure workers doing risky work, using plant or dealing with risky substances either have adequate knowledge and experience or are adequately supervised by someone who does. Workers must also be adequately trained in the safe use of plant, objects, substances, equipment and PPE they may be required to use.

The required supervision and training must be suitable and adequate for the nature of the work, its risks and the controls in place, and training must be readily understandable. This means agriculture and horticulture employers should build capability around actual duties — not assume that attendance at a generic course by itself proves a person can safely perform a particular task.

What should a manager have in place?

Role & task inductionExplain the property, work areas, emergency arrangements, relevant controls and the tasks the worker will actually perform. Adjust information for new, seasonal and inexperienced workers.

Plant, vehicles & equipmentBefore independent use, provide training and instruction appropriate to the specific plant, vehicle or equipment and the conditions in which it will be used. Check practical capability rather than relying only on a course certificate.

Substances & PPETrain workers in the safe use and handling of relevant substances, equipment and PPE. Additional legal requirements may apply to particular hazardous substances or controlled activities.

Supervision & reassessmentProvide adequate supervision where the worker does not yet have sufficient knowledge and experience. Reassess when tasks, equipment, risks or controls change, or when performance indicates a gap.

Manager check

Have we identified the tasks, plant, vehicles, substances and PPE each worker will actually use?
Does the worker have adequate knowledge and experience for the work, or appropriate supervision from someone who does?
Is training suitable for the particular work, risks and controls rather than generic only?
Can the worker demonstrate safe practical use before undertaking higher-risk work independently?
Is the information and training readily understandable for the person receiving it?
Do we increase supervision for new, inexperienced or seasonal workers where their knowledge and experience require it?
Do we review capability when equipment, tasks, substances, conditions or controls change?

NZ legislation: training & supervision duty →WorkSafe agriculture guidance →Back to Agriculture & Horticulture Hub

NZQC provides practical educational information. It is not legal advice and does not certify that a provider is compliant. Check the official source and the requirements that apply to your service, contracts and scope.