Managing health and safety across your workplace just got simpler. We’re excited to introduce Workplace Safety Projects – a new tool that helps you keep on top of your health and safety management system.
A Workplace Safety Project is a health and safety management system set up for your workplace using HazardCo’s platform. When you create one, you get a comprehensive Safety Plan document, digital QR codes for easy worker and contractor inductions via the app, and streamlined compliance with visibility of all your workplace activity.
When you set up a Workplace Safety Project, you’ll receive:
Complete Digital Safety Plan – A full workplace safety document customised to your operation that includes:
QR Code for Quick Access – Download and display it at your entry points so people can:
Once set up, your Workplace Safety Project becomes your central health and safety management system. Workers and contractors complete their induction by scanning your QR code through the HazardCo app, confirming they’ve read and understood your Safety Plan before they start work.
When you’re running a business, you need to provide and maintain a safe system of work – it’s in the legislation. Even though it may feel like you and your team know the work well, your work will most likely still be classed as high-risk as when things go wrong, it can be pretty major.
Workplace Safety Projects are designed for businesses in manufacturing, agriculture, and horticulture. They help you manage workers, contractors, and visitors safely, meet your health and safety obligations, and keep complete documented records that meet WorkSafe NZ requirements. It’s not just about ticking boxes – it’s about having clear processes that protect your workers, contractors, and visitors every day.
Whether you’re running a processing plant, a dairy farm, an orchard, a packhouse, or a manufacturing facility, your Workplace Safety Project adapts to your specific operation and risks.
Setting up your Workplace Safety Project is straightforward:
The best part? Workplace Safety Projects are included in your membership. You can set up as many as you need for different workplaces or operations at no extra cost.
Once set up, workers and contractors can complete their induction by scanning your QR code through the HazardCo app, confirming they’ve read and understood your Safety Plan before they start work.
At the end of creating your project, you’ll have the option to purchase items such as Hazard Boards, Emergency Boxes, and H&S Packs.
New Improved Hazard Boards – Our hazard boards now come with a dedicated space for your QR code. When ordered with a Workplace Safety Project, your contact details and emergency information will be printed and attached to the board, along with refreshed hazards and controls. The boards are now slightly larger at 600mm x 590mm, giving you more space to display important safety information clearly.
These are optional extras that many customers find helpful for making safety information visible and accessible across their workplaces. Choose what works best for your operation – or skip them entirely if you prefer to keep everything digital.
Head to your HazardCo Hub and explore the Projects menu. If you have questions about setting up your Workplace Safety Project or want to talk through how it might work for your specific operation, our advisory team is here to help.
Your safer, more organised workplace is just a few clicks away.
Each year, more NZ tradies are turning to digital tools and software to streamline their work both on-site and in the office. From electricians to plumbers, carpenters to landscapers, those with efficient systems and processes – especially digital ones – are building stronger, more resilient businesses that can tackle any challenge.
If you’re still buried in paperwork or losing time on repetitive tasks, now is the time to explore the latest tech solutions designed to simplify your operations. Go digital and set your trade business up for success in 2026.
Here are some of the top tools to help you get ahead:
Simpro field service management software is built to streamline workflows, connect office and field teams, and fuel your trade business growth.
Designed to handle even the most complex workflows, Simpro is the go-to solution for multi-phase projects, preventive maintenance contracts, and service jobs across residential and commercial settings.
With an end-to-end platform, Simpro automates resource-intensive tasks, including:
Simpro empowers businesses to plan and manage projects, contracts, and jobs efficiently, keeping teams connected in real-time – whether on-site, in the office, or on the go.
Seamlessly integrating with popular accounting software, Simpro ensures accurate financials, reduces admin time, and provides real-time data insights to help leaders make better decisions.
With over 250,000 users globally, Simpro is a trusted provider of field service software, offering dedicated training, local support, and innovative tools to help your business grow.
Learn more about Simpro today and discover how it can transform your trade operations.
HazardCo is a health and safety system that makes WHS simple, giving you the confidence you’re keeping your crew and business safe while cutting the time you spend on paperwork.
HazardCo’s aim has always been to give their members the systems and advice they need to make their job safer and easier to do. Their digital tools do exactly that. It’s what you need, when you need it… all from your back pocket!
Tradify is a purpose-built job management software for tradies, designed to help businesses manage their entire workflow from one easy-to-use app. From customer enquiries and quoting through to job scheduling, invoicing, and payments, everything is securely stored in the cloud, allowing you to manage jobs from the site, the van, or the office.
Built specifically for trade businesses such as electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians, Tradify helps streamline admin, reduce paperwork, and automate time-consuming tasks that slow teams down. Key features include customisable quotes, job tracking, real-time scheduling, digital timesheets, and seamless integrations with accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, and MYOB. Together, these tools give small business owners greater visibility, control, and confidence over their day-to-day operations.
Tradify also offers a 14-day free trial, making it easy for trades businesses to see how much time they can save before committing.
BONNET is a New Zealand built vehicle compliance and fleet management app that simplifies every part of running vehicles, from WOF, COF, REGO and RUC reminders to servicing and GPS tracking, all in one place. With just a number plate, the app pulls real-time data straight from NZTA so drivers and fleet owners never miss due dates again, and can even set and forget RUC and registration payments.
What began as a tool to help everyday drivers manage car admin has grown into a powerful fleet-focused system trusted to manage tens of thousands of vehicles across NZ, replacing spreadsheets and clunky legacy software with automated reminders, live GPS tracking and digital checklists. Bonnet’s streamlined platform cuts down on paperwork and admin time, helping small businesses stay compliant and keep vehicles moving with less effort.
Running your own business is difficult enough, without having to manage all your own tax and financial admin.
That’s where Hnry comes in – they’re an award-winning tax and financial admin service, designed specifically for sole traders.
For just 1% +GST of your self-employed income (capped at $1,500 +GST annually), they’ll keep all your admin in check, including:
You also get unlimited access to the Hnry app, so you can create and send invoices and quotes on the go. Plus, if you use their Hnry Debit Card, your purchases will be automatically raised as expenses – no more hunting for lost receipts come tax time. Easy!
Save time, money, and energy. Join Hnry, and never think about tax again.
Learn more about Hnry.
Fergus is a powerful job management software designed to help tradies run their business smarter, simpler, and more profitably. Built specifically for trade businesses, Fergus streamlines day-to-day operations by simplifying quoting, scheduling, reporting, and payments – all in one powerful platform.
With Fergus, collecting payments is easier than ever. Clients can pay directly through the platform, reducing admin time and improving cash flow. Plus, Fergus integrates seamlessly with leading accounting and supplier tools, automating admin and eliminating manual data entry.
The Fergus Go mobile app keeps teams productive on the go. From tracking job progress to capturing real-time information on site, it ensures everyone stays on the same page, no matter where they are.
Whether you’re a plumber, electrician, or builder, Fergus empowers you to focus on what matters most—delivering great work—while driving business profitability and efficiency.
Learn more about Fergus.
Dext provides automated accounting solutions for the construction industry, simplifying bookkeeping for more accurate, efficient and productive financial reporting and performance. Rather than expecting employees to spend hours manually entering expenses data into spreadsheets, professionals can use Dext Prepare to capture documents quickly and accurately. This not only makes records more accurate and consistent but it also frees up time for teams to focus on other valuable tasks.
This solution enables business owners to snap paper receipts and financial documents with one click using the mobile app, forwarding paperwork via email or uploading it directly into the software. Dext does the hard work of capturing, extracting and categorising the relevant data, so it’s ready to be published into their accounting software of choice. This makes it easier for builders, plumbers, electricians and any industry workers to ensure their accounts are organised, keep track of expenses, accurately quote projects and make informed decisions to boost revenue and productivity.
With Dext Prepare, construction business owners can enjoy:
Find out why businesses owners of all industries choose Dext Prepare.
Xero is online accounting software for your building company which makes it super easy to automate your admin. Plus, you can work from anywhere, even your ute!
When it comes to construction accounting, if you don’t do it regularly it’s easy to fall behind and things can quickly get out of control. By building accounting into your regular workflows you’re always on top of it. Xero is cloud-based and simple to use. Whether you are on-site or in the office you can access Xero on your smartphone or tablet so you’ll never get behind.
Xero connects to your bank, bookkeeper, accountant and other financial apps you might use such as Dext.
Find out more about Xero.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the trades and construction industry by improving efficiency, problem-solving, and customer satisfaction. PROTRADE United, Australia and New Zealand’s leading business advisory and coaching organisation for trades and construction, provides awareness around AI, ensuring businesses optimise communication, streamline project management, and enhance customer experiences.
With over 20 years of experience, PROTRADE United provides tailored strategies and support to leverage AI responsibly, enabling trades businesses to reduce costs and increase profitability. Their expertise ensures that tradespeople make the most of tool and business advancements, like the use of AI, to stay competitive and grow sustainably.
Learn more at PROTRADE United
The building industry is moving fast, and in 2026 the businesses that stay ahead will be the ones using smart, practical tech to save time, protect margins, and reduce admin. From estimating and job management to health and safety, finance, and client handovers, the right tools can make a real difference to how smoothly your business runs day to day.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the construction tech helping builders work smarter, stay compliant, and make confident decisions.
Buildxact is an all-in-one estimating and job management platform built for residential builders and trades. It supports the full workflow from takeoffs and quoting through to job management and invoicing, with supplier price integrations and mobile tools to keep site and office aligned.
HazardCo is a simple, digital WHS system that helps builders stay compliant while reducing paperwork. With guided SWMS, site-specific safety plans, incident reporting, contractor management and a dedicated Advisory Team, HazardCo makes health and safety easier to manage on site.
Gtee simplifies builder handovers by digitising warranty and maintenance information for homeowners. You can select products from a database, ensuring compliance, reducing admin and providing clients with 24/7 access to their digital account for at least 15 years.
Watch a short demo video on Gtee.
Dext helps builders and trades automate expense tracking and document capture. With 99% data extraction accuracy, Dext Prepare reduces manual entry, keeps records organised, and publishes clean data directly into accounting software like Xero.
Find out why business owners of all industries choose Dext
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that helps builders manage finances from anywhere. It connects with banks, accountants, bookkeepers and apps like Dext, making it easy to stay on top of cash flow, expenses and reporting on site or in the office.
As a leading Health & Safety provider in NZ, we are staying close to the proposed changes to the H&S regulations and working to influence changes where we can. When new rules do come through, we’ll break them down – what’s changed, why it’s changed, and most importantly, how businesses can put the changes into practice, as we know one size doesn’t fit all.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about the government’s proposed health and safety reforms that aim to reduce red tape. But here’s the problem: these changes won’t make construction any safer. In fact, there’s a real risk they could do the opposite.
Construction is one of the highest-risk industries in New Zealand. Hard-won progress in health and safety hasn’t come by chance, it’s been built over years of effort, investment, and learning from tragedy. Weakening the rules now risks undoing that progress and putting workers back in harm’s way.
Here’s what’s on the table for regulation changes:
Our position is clear: Construction needs strong, enforceable safety standards. Easing requirements in the name of reducing red tape might sound appealing, but it won’t protect workers. It risks repeating the mistakes of the past, where safety was treated as optional until disaster forced change.
Right now, there are too many different requirements, and what needs to be done often depends on who’s asking for the information. This creates confusion on-site. The focus needs to be on providing consistency, with clear guidelines developed by industry experts and enforced by WorkSafe. That way, everyone knows what’s expected, and we can reduce confusion while keeping people safe.
HazardCo members are already leading the way, being four times safer than the industry average, and we’ll keep supporting you with practical, effective systems and expert advice. We’ve shared these concerns with the government because the voices of small and medium-sized building companies must be heard. You know better than anyone the pressure of time and cost, and you also know the price of a serious injury.
For now, nothing has changed, these reforms are still at the consultation stage. What matters most is clarity and standards that builders and tradies can rely on. And we’ll keep pushing for guidelines that genuinely protect builders and tradies, not water them down.
In the meantime, keep doing what you do best: looking after your team, working safely, and documenting your safety actions. And know that we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.
NZ weather changes fast and when it does so do the hazards on your site. Strong winds, extreme temperatures, and heavy rain can quickly lead to slips, trips, heat stress, damaged gear or vehicle accidents.
Work doesn’t always stop when adverse weather rolls in, so it’s important to know what to do to keep your workers safe. However, safety must come first, so if conditions become unsuitable or too dangerous, work should stop until it is safe to continue.
Vehicle accidents don’t just happen on the roads; they can also happen within the work site. Highlight to your team that driving rules for the road also apply to your workplace, and it’s important that they take care while operating work vehicles and equipment. To make sure your vehicles and plant are safe before use:
The last thing you need is for the weather to catch you by surprise. Keep an eye on the weather forecast so your workers can:
A quick weather briefing at your toolbox talk keeps everyone prepared.
Be vigilant when ensuring that workers are wearing proper PPE and suitable clothing when adverse weather conditions are present.
By ensuring that PPE is properly selected, fitted, and maintained, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with adverse weather. Correct PPE not only reduces weather-related risks but also supports comfort and productivity, allowing work to continue safely.
Adverse weather is a real workplace hazard that increases the risk of slips, trips, falls, and other injuries. Include it in your hazard register and safety plans, make sure workers know they can stop work if it’s unsafe, and encourage reporting of any incidents or near misses.
Plan ahead, gear up, and put safety first so your crew stays safe, no matter the weather.
If you run a ute, van, or light truck for work, big changes are coming to how you pay for New Zealand’s roads. The Government has confirmed it’s moving away from petrol excise at the pump and towards electronic Road User Charges (RUC) for all light vehicles, not just diesel and EVs. The shift is designed to be simpler, fairer, and more transparent, with a rollout that starts by modernising the current system and then expanding it to everyone.
What you pay will be based on kilometres travelled and vehicle weight, not how much petrol you buy. For firms with utes and vans logging serious site-to-site kilometres, it makes budgeting more predictable. Heavier setups will pay more per km, as they do now under RUC.
No more paper labels, fewer trips to buy licences, and eRUC devices you can install once and forget.
This is where our partnership with BONNET comes in. BONNET’s fleet management platform makes it simple to track kilometres, manage RUC, and get clear reporting across your vehicles, saving you admin time and helping you stay compliant. And what’s even better is that you get your first 2 vehicles free!
Because the new system opens the door to more electronic devices, you’ll likely be able to connect RUC with your existing GPS/telematics. With BONNET, you can integrate RUC data with your wider fleet info, fuel, servicing, and driver activity all in one place. That means less double-handling and better oversight for site managers.
If you’re trialling electric vans or plug-in hybrids, note that everyone will ultimately be on RUC. For heavy EVs, the paid RUC start date is 1 July 2027.
The shift to electronic RUC is about making costs clearer and admin lighter. With our partnership with BONNET, you’ll be in the best position for automating the admin, keeping your records clean, and giving you insights to run your fleet smarter. Start planning now, and when the change lands, your team will be ready.
Still got questions? Join our live Q&A session on the 9th of September
You might’ve seen the latest headlines about H&S reforms. The government’s still working through the details, so we don’t have any concrete updates for you just yet. But here’s the key thing to note: While the aim is to reduce red tape for some industries, construction remains high-risk, and rightly deserves a strong safety focus. That means your core responsibilities on-site aren’t going anywhere.
On 28 July 2025 the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety recently announced an update on the proposed health and safety reform. They’re aiming to simplify things for the construction industry by:
But remember….and this is a key point…it’s all still at the consultation stage so nothing has changed yet.
Construction hasn’t become safer by chance, it’s the result of continuous effort, investment, and shared commitment from everyone.
HazardCo members are doing great work to make their sites safer. We’ve crunched the numbers and HazardCo members are 4 times safer than the industry average so keep up the good work.
We’ve helped thousands of Kiwi builders make their worksites safer. Our Health & Safety Advisory team has also shared what we’re seeing on-site with the government, so they understand the real challenges builders face. It’s important that small and medium-sized building companies have a voice because the pressures around time and cost for you are real.
We wanted to break down our thoughts on the key areas for proposed changes that may affect you and your team:
Just as CHASNZ does, we welcome changes and clarity that help create consistency in H&S pre-qualification to ensure that everyone is following the same standard. As a CHASNZ-endorsed provider for the residential building sector, we agree that often prequalification gets derailed by cost, duplication, and misaligned systems. Our system addresses this by empowering residential builders to understand what good safety practice looks like and what’s required to meet proper standards. Rather than just ticking boxes, we help businesses build genuine safety knowledge and systems, ensuring they understand the ‘why’ behind safety requirements and can implement them effectively. We will continue to keep our ear to the ground with regard to any changes in this space
Chris Alderson, CEO of CHASNZ, points out that falling from heights is the leading cause of workplace deaths around the world. New Zealand is different, we’ve made strong progress with our safety practices when working at height. But if scaffolding rules are relaxed, those gains could be lost unless it’s handled with extreme care. We’ve seen first-hand the impact of fall injuries on workers, families, and businesses, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on this to share insights as things develop.
When it comes to dust exposure, the Minister’s review will look at substances like soft wood dust, hard wood dust and welding fumes. While reviewing the science is always worthwhile, Jeff Sissions points out that it’s worth noting these exposure standards were already updated recently in consultation with industry and aligned with international benchmarks. He says the bigger issue in this area is that the standards aren’t legally binding – they’re guidelines. That means the real risk is that without strong enforcement or mandatory limits, workers could still be exposed to unsafe levels of dust that can cause long-term, sometimes life-threatening, respiratory illness.
Another area of concern is the potential relaxation of rules around machinery guarding. Guarding is the first line of defence to stop workers from being pulled into, crushed, or caught by dangerous moving parts. New Zealand already sees far too many serious injuries from machinery, and weakening these requirements could make the problem worse. Even small changes to the standards risk creating loopholes that allow businesses to cut corners, putting workers at serious risk of life-changing injuries.
Construction remains one of the highest-risk industries in New Zealand. That’s why we’ll always keep safety front and centre. And we’ll make sure your system reflects the most up-to-date rules, so you don’t have to stress about missing anything.
In the meantime, keep doing what you do best, looking out for your team, working safely and documenting your safety actions.
We’ll keep you posted as the reform progresses. If you’ve got questions or want to chat through what this means for your site, give us a call. We’re always here to help.
Want an easy way to make your workplace safer without spending a cent? Here’s a simple trick that takes just 30 minutes and can help prevent incidents on the job.
Whether you call it a safety meeting or a toolbox talk, get everyone to list their top 10 workplace hazards—the things that could go wrong and cause injuries. This could be anything from slippery floors to dodgy equipment or working with chemicals.
Once everyone’s shared their list, use the HazardCo Safety Meeting/toolbox talk feature to record and combine the results into a master list of the 10 biggest hazards in your workplace. This makes sure nothing important gets missed and gives your team a clear safety focus.
Now that you know the biggest risks, it’s time to do something about them. This list can help your workplace:
By using the app all of this is tracked and recorded, so your team has solid proof of what’s been done to make work safer.
Incidents at work can be serious, but most of them can be prevented. This simple 30-minute exercise gets everyone involved, so safety isn’t just a rule—it’s part of the way your team works. Plus, with HazardCo’s easy reporting tools, you can keep improving and stay ahead of risks before they become real problems.
So next time you are running a meeting, encourage everyone to speak up about H&S – their input could stop someone getting hurt.
If you have any questions, reach out to the HazardCo team. We are always here to help.
At HazardCo, we’re all about making health and safety simple – and it’s working. New data shows that our members are safer on site compared to the national average. Whether you’re on the tools or managing a team, these numbers show the real impact of doing health and safety the HazardCo way.
There’s a big difference between having a health and safety system and using one that actually works.
At HazardCo, we don’t just help you tick boxes. Our guided tools make it easy to follow the right health and safety steps at the right time, and when that happens, sites are safer. Now we’ve got the data to back it up.
New stats show that HazardCo members are significantly safer on site than the national average. Whether you’re on the tools or running the business, this proves that doing health and safety the HazardCo way pays off.
We’ve crunched the numbers and here’s what we found:
That’s a massive difference.
Why it’s working
Our digital tools make it easy to manage health and safety day to day. From guided Site Reviews that help you put the right controls in place, to risk assessments, toolbox talks, site inductions, and incident reports — it’s all handled in the HazardCo App.
Everyone on site can get involved, making it easier to spot risks early, take action, and keep things running smoothly. Plus, if something does go sideways, our expert advisors are available 24/7 to help you respond the right way.
When health and safety is easy to follow and part of your everyday routine, it becomes second nature – and it keeps people safer.
Fewer injuries mean less time off the tools, and that saves your business money. When your team stays safe, you avoid costly downtime, keep your jobs on track, and reduce the chance of ACC claims or needing to bring in extra workers to cover.
You’ll also be in a better position if WorkSafe ever comes knocking. HazardCo helps you meet your legal responsibilities and show you’re doing things properly, without the paperwork pile-up.
A well-run site is a safer site. It’s better for your crew, your schedule, and your bottom line.
Using HazardCo isn’t just about ticking boxes faster, it’s about making your site genuinely safer.
You’re working smarter, with fewer accidents, less downtime, and more time getting the job done right.
Our mission is to keep the person at the top of the ladder safe, and the data shows it’s working.
Not a member yet? Maybe it’s time to make the switch.
There’s major HR changes on the way for how Kiwi businesses manage contractors, and if you run a construction company, are a tradie, or work with subcontractors, this is something you need to pay attention to.
The government is introducing a new “contractor certainty test,” a legal tool that will help determine whether someone is a true independent contractor or should legally be considered an employee.
Right now, it’s possible for someone to sign on as a contractor but later challenge that status in court, claiming they were really an employee (and are owed sick leave, holiday pay, etc). That’s led to uncertainty for business owners who thought they were doing the right thing.
This new test will make things clearer but also puts more responsibility on employers to get it right from the start.
If your independent contractor agreement meets the criteria in the new law (expected later in 2025), the contractor won’t be able to challenge it in court. But if it doesn’t meet the bar, they can and that could open your business up to risk.
Until we know more about how the criteria will be applied and when the new law will take effect, the risk of claims remains.
However, the Government has signalled that one of the elements of the new test will be that a written independent contractor agreement must be in place.
That’s why we are urging businesses to review their contracts now.
Who’s affected?
If you’re in construction or trades, you likely have a mix of employees and contractors on your books. Getting this wrong could mean fines, backpay claims, and a whole lot of hassle you don’t need.
Final thought
This new legislation isn’t about making life harder, it’s about giving both businesses and workers clarity. But it does mean you need to be proactive by documenting your working relationships.
We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about the law change before it comes into effect.
Got questions? Talk to your HR advisor or use a tool like Employr to sort your agreements.
