QHSE Logo Expert Solutions for Health & Safety, Quality & Risk Management

Expert Solutions for Health & Safety, Quality & Risk Management

Based in Manawatū, Serving All of New Zealand

 

At QHSE, we proudly call Manawatū home, but our expertise knows no boundaries. Whether you're in the Far North, deep in the South, or anywhere in between, we bring our high-quality services to you. No matter the location, we’re ready to support your Health & Safety, Quality & Risk needs across New Zealand.

Industries Served:


With a proven track record across diverse industries, we specialize in delivering customized solutions that address sector-specific challenges and regulatory requirements. Our expertise spans Aviation, Food Manufacturing, Forestry Products, Power, Roading, and Infrastructure, along with a range of other industries. No matter the sector, we bring precision, innovation, and reliability to every project.

Rob Feasey

Rob holds certifications as a Certified Professional Member of NZISM (CertProfNZISM), Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH), Certified Quality Manager (CQM) through NZOQ, and Certified in Risk Management (CertIRM).

As an ACC-authorised AEP Auditor, accredited SafePlus Auditor, and Certified Machine Safety Expert, Rob provides trusted, high-compliance assessments across multiple industries. His approach combines technical precision with practical implementation, ensuring businesses meet regulatory obligations while maintaining operational efficiency.

Known for his clear, solutions-focused approach, Rob collaborates with clients to build robust systems that meet both regulatory requirements and organisational needs.

Profile picture of Rob Feasey
HASANZ logo, Health and Safety Association of New Zealand, member badge, workplace safety, professional safety association, New Zealand
SafePlus logo, accredited SafePlus assessor badge, workplace health and safety assessment, New Zealand, professional safety certification.
NZISM certified professional badge, New Zealand Institute for Safety Management, workplace safety certification, professional accreditation
Chartered Member badge, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, IOSH, professional safety certification, workplace safety accreditation
Certified Machine Safety Expert badge, professional machine safety certification, functional safety accreditation
Certified Quality Manager badge, professional quality management certification, organisational excellence accreditation
Institute of Risk Management certified professional badge, risk management certification, professional risk accreditation.

HSWA 2015 Reforms: What Businesses with Fewer Than 20 Employees Need to Know

 

With nearly ten years under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), the Government has introduced reforms to ease the compliance burden on small, low‑risk businesses while keeping the focus on what really matters: preventing serious harm.

 

On 31 March 2025, Minister Brooke van Velden announced a carve‑out for businesses with fewer than 20 employees in low‑risk sectors. Under this change, these enterprises need only manage “critical risks”—those capable of causing death, serious injury or serious illness—and provide basic welfare facilities such as first‑aid, drinking water, suitable lighting and ventilation.

 

Documentation requirements have also been simplified. Small businesses can now adopt proportionate safety systems instead of maintaining bulky manuals and extensive paperwork. In practice, this means streamlined risk registers and procedures that focus on high‑priority hazards, allowing operators to dedicate more time to practical controls and staff engagement.

 

To provide greater certainty around compliance, Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) will become recognised safe‑harbour instruments. Following an ACOP will automatically satisfy the HSWA duty‑holder obligations in that area—whether it’s machinery guarding, manual handling or emergency planning—reducing legal uncertainty about what is “reasonably practicable.”

 

The reforms also sharpen HSWA’s principal purpose to “prevent work‑related harm by managing critical risks arising from work.” By aligning legislative intent with real‑world practice, the changes discourage low‑value, tick‑box activities and encourage everyone—from business owners to frontline staff—to concentrate on the controls that deliver the greatest safety impact.

 

At QHSE.co.nz, we’ve long prioritised identifying and mitigating critical risks through practical, risk‑based solutions. This reform package complements our approach: we help you uncover your operation’s most serious hazards, implement proportionate controls and leverage ACOP safe‑harbours to lock in compliance certainty. Whether it’s machinery guarding, hazardous substances management or tailored training, our focus remains on what truly keeps people safe.

 

Key actions for small businesses with fewer than 20 employees:

 

  • Map your critical risks. Identify hazards capable of causing death, serious injury or illness.

  • Review your safety systems. Replace unwieldy manuals with concise procedures targeting those risks.

  • Adopt relevant ACOPs. Follow sector‑specific safe‑harbour guidance to satisfy your HSWA duties.

  • Maintain awareness of secondary hazards. Ensure medium‑severity risks aren’t overlooked as you streamline.

 

If you’d like to explore how these changes might impact your operation, call us at QHSE.co.nz for a free discussion tailored to your business’s needs.

Get in Touch

Looking for expert guidance in health, safety, risk, or quality management? Whether you need audits, compliance support, or tailored safety solutions, we are here to help.

Reach out today to discuss your needs and find the right solutions for your business.
📞 022 4544445

Name *
Email *
Phone
Company
Message *