Do Sole Traders need H&S Prequalification?
What is Health & Safety Prequalification?
Health & Safety prequalification is an assessment process that enables clients to restrict the engagement of contractors to only those who have been assessed against independent good practice criteria, to validate:
- they are committed to health and safety
- compliant systems exist that operationalise this commitment
- these systems have been implemented
Suppliers who provide confirmation of prequalified health and safety certification to their clients are effectively telling their clients they commit to doing everything reasonably practicable to keep themselves and others safe from harm when they do work for that client.
Do I need Health & Safety Prequalification as a sole trader?
Yes, or maybe no…
Some clients will engage you as a supplier and not require proof that you are managing your health and safety responsibilities. However, other organisations will require health and safety prequalification certification as part of their vendor approval process. To be able to work for these clients, you need to provide a certificate stating you meet the scheme’s assessment criteria and be listed on the prequalification scheme register.
Information on which schemes are required by which organisations is not always clear. The bottom line is: check with your client if they need health and safety prequalification certification, and which scheme they request you to be certified in. Some of the different schemes are described below.
What schemes are there?
There are several prequalification schemes, and most will cross reference and accept other forms of assessment as part of the criteria standards. We have listed the three prequalification scheme providers we know and have experience with. Please note, this is not a comprehensive list.
Tōtika
A Health & Safety Prequalification Scheme developed and implemented by Construction H&S NZ (CHASNZ) to create a standard for all health and safety pre-qualification systems in the Construction sector. CHASNZ has licensed a few independent providers to assess and certify applicants on their behalf. It is described as a fair and equitable scheme with the objective that suppliers only need to pre-qualify ONCE instead of duplicating effort for each new client and opportunity through:
- One universal standard – which provides a single source and a common view for H&S prequalification.
- One cross-recognition framework – that recognises external audits of suppliers as an alternative.
- External assessment and certificate schemes – through recognition of ISO 45001 certification, SafePlus On-Site Assessments, and Q-Safe certification.
Tōtika is currently accepted as the universal prequalification scheme for organisations such as Watercare, Waikato LASS, and Wellington Water.
References:
Impac Prequal
IMPAC is designed as a qualitative assessment procedure to deliver a view on a contractor’s H&S knowledge, processes, and practices. It also looks at insurance cover, validity, and term, and requests referee details.
Reference:
LASS SHE Prequal
Since 2016 SHE PreQual have teamed with Waikato and Bay of Plenty Councils to streamline their contractor prequalification process.
This system helps the councils meet their responsibilities to ensure that contractors, working for/on Council assets and/or supplying services, have effective health and safety management systems to prevent harm to people and the environment or damage to property. Like the other two schemes, it also looks at insurance cover.
Note: the Waikato LASS councils should also accept Tōtika but we recommend you check with your client.
Reference:
How do I get assessed for my chosen prequalification certification?
IMPAC PREQUAL and SHE PreQual can assess your business against their prequalification schemes or the Tōtika Scheme.
Two other providers can complete a Tōtika assessment in the sole trader category. We’ve used Qualify365 but you could also consider Avetta.
Reference:
How can freemeup help?
If you are doing site work your clients might require you to get health and safety pre-qualified. No problem. Using our system will allow you to do this – we recommend Tōtika – and we’ll help you apply as part of the H&S Service.
Disclaimer: All content provided on freemeup.nz is for informational purposes only and is intended as a general information resource regarding the matters covered. It is not tailored to cover specific situations and circumstances and shouldn’t be taken as direct professional advice. Freemeup makes no representations to the accuracy or completeness of the information found on this site or found by following any links on this site and will not be held liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of this information.
