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If you’re a main contractor in residential building, the way you handle health and safety is about to get a whole lot more attention. And it’s not just about what your own team is doing, it’s about everyone else on-site, too.

What’s changing?

WorkSafe is currently working on a new Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) specifically for residential construction. The big focus of this new code is overlapping duties. That’s a fancy way of saying: when you’ve got multiple different businesses (PCBUs) working on the same site at the same time, who is responsible for what?

Public consultation is set for 20 April to 10 May 2026, and once approved, to be in effect by July 2026. By following this ACOP means you’re considered to be compliant. 

What does this look like on-site?

When your subbies are on-site, you share the responsibility alongside your subbies for their safety. The new rules will guide you on how to talk to each other, how you coordinate the risky stuff, and how you keep a record of it all.

Right now, a lot of sites handle this with a quick “be safe, mate” on day one, or a paper form that ends up shoved under the truck seat. That’s the gap WorkSafe is looking to close.

How Project Plus does the heavy lifting

We know you’ve already got enough on your plate without becoming a full-time H&S auditor. That’s where HazardCo’s Project Plus comes in.

It gives your contractors direct access to the HazardCo system, so they’re on the same page as you from the start. No more chasing paperwork. 

With Project Plus, you get:

• Clear expectations: Your site requirements are right there in their pocket before they even hop out of the ute.
• One slick system: Everyone is using the same tools, making coordination heaps easier.
• Digital paper trail: You’ve got a solid record of H&S activity that you can actually find when you need it.
• A better culture: Safety becomes part of how the whole crew works, not just an extra task for your employees.

Once the ACOP process has been completed, WorkSafe will be checking to see if you’ve kept up with the changes. From what we can see, they’re looking for evidence of consultation, cooperation & coordination across your team and sites. Getting your systems sorted now is the smart way to run a professional site.

Keen to see how Project Plus can sort your subbies? Chat with our HazardCo advisors or check it out in your Hub today.