Why PCBUs Must Verify Worker Training

When it comes to workplace health and safety in New Zealand, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) sets the benchmark. One of the core responsibilities it places on a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) is to make sure workers are trained, competent, and safe to carry out their work.

But here’s the catch: it’s not enough to simply collect unit standards and assume they’re valid. Under HSWA, a PCBU has a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to check the authenticity of training and credentials.

What the law says

• Primary duty of care: PCBUs must ensure workers have the necessary training, instruction, or supervision to safely perform their tasks.

• Due diligence duty: Directors and officers must actively make sure their organisation has systems in place to confirm workers’ competence. Letting someone do high risk work without proof of adequate training is a breach of the law.

In short, if you allow someone to work on the basis of a training credential that’s expired, falsified, or irrelevant, your business may be exposed to legal risk - not to mention putting workers’ safety on the line.

What counts as “reasonable steps” ?

HSWA doesn’t expect PCBUs to hire detectives, but it does expect active verification. Reasonable steps include:

• Checking certificates against training provider records.

• Keeping an up-to-date competency and training register.

• Following up on any suspicious or unverifiable documentation.

• Making sure workers receive documented job specific training.

  
  

Why verification matters

Failing to verify training isn’t just a paperwork problem. If an incident occurs and a worker is found to be unqualified, WorkSafe may see that as a failure to take reasonably practicable steps. That can lead to enforcement action or prosecution.

On the other hand, by verifying training and authorisations, a PCBU can demonstrate they’ve met their legal duties - and, more importantly, create a safer workplace.

The bottom line

Under HSWA, verification is not optional. A PCBU has to know, not just assume, that workers are competent and authorised to do high risk work. By putting proper systems in place, you protect your people, your reputation, and your business.

👉 At VerifyMe, we don't do epensive and often irrelevant unit standards. Instead, we make the process of training and authorisation simple, fast, and reliable. Not only is Verification Of Competency (VOC) more cost effective, but we will provide you with free resources that simplify supervision and improve safety culture. Visit verifyme.kiwi to see how we can help you stay compliant.