What Should a Health and Safety Budget Include

06 Nov What Should A Health and Safety Budget Include?

Posted at 14:21h in Articles by Rachel Bell

What Should a Health and Safety Budget Include? A Practical Guide for New Zealand Businesses

Every New Zealand business, regardless of size or industry, has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) to provide a safe and healthy workplace. But meeting those responsibilities isn’t just about having policies in place – it requires proper planning, investment, and ongoing commitment.

That’s where a well-thought-out health and safety budget comes in.

A clear budget helps you manage risks, meet compliance requirements, and show your team that their wellbeing is a genuine business priority. Here’s what your health and safety budget should include – and why it matters for New Zealand businesses.

1. Training and Education

Training is one of the most important (and often most overlooked) health and safety expenses. Your budget should cover:

Induction training for new staff, contractors, and visitors;
Task-specific training, such as manual handling, forklift use, confined spaces, or working at height;
Refresher training to keep knowledge current and maintain competency; and
Leadership and supervisor training to strengthen the safety culture.

✅ WorkSafe NZ tip: Training is a key part of demonstrating that you’ve taken “reasonably practicable steps” under the HSWA to manage risk.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Under the HSWA, PCBUs (Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking) must provide appropriate PPE to workers. Your budget should include:

Purchase and replacement of PPE (gloves, safety glasses, boots, high-vis, respirators, hearing protection);
Cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of PPE; and
Specialist PPE for specific hazards (e.g. chemical-resistant clothing or arc-flash protection).

Don’t forget to factor in replacement cycles – PPE wears out and needs regular updating to remain compliant.

3. Health and Safety Management System or Software

Managing paperwork, incidents, and compliance manually can be time-consuming. That’s why many New Zealand businesses are moving to digital health and safety management systems, such as Hasmate.

Budget for a system that helps you:

Record and track hazards, incidents, and corrective actions;
Manage staff training and certifications;
Store and access Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs); and
Generate reports for audits and reviews.

A system like the online Hasmate program saves time, reduces admin, and helps demonstrate compliance during a WorkSafe investigation or audit.

4. Equipment Maintenance and Inspections

Machinery, tools, and vehicles must be maintained in a safe condition. Your budget should include:

Regular inspections and servicing of equipment;
Certification costs (e.g. forklifts, pressure vessels, electrical testing); and
Replacement or upgrade of unsafe or non-compliant machinery.

Preventative maintenance is cheaper – and safer – than dealing with a breakdown or injury.

5. Health Monitoring and Worker Wellbeing

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 requires PCBUs to monitor workers’ health where there is a risk of exposure to hazardous substances or conditions. Include funding for:

Pre-employment and regular health checks (hearing, lung function, vision);
Biological monitoring (for chemicals or dust exposure);
Ergonomic assessments for office staff; and
Mental health and wellbeing programmes or Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP).

WorkSafe NZ encourages businesses to take a proactive approach to wellbeing, as stress, fatigue, and mental health are all recognised workplace risks.

6. Emergency Preparedness

Your emergency plan is only as good as your ability to act on it. Allocate funds for:

Fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and spill kits;
Regular emergency drills (fire, earthquake, chemical spill, etc.);
Evacuation signage and assembly point markings; and
First aid training and equipment replenishment.

Regularly review your emergency plan to ensure it reflects your current operations and staffing.

7. Consultancy and Compliance Support

Sometimes you need expert help — and budgeting for it upfront avoids costly mistakes later. This can include:

External health and safety audits or gap assessments;
Assistance with risk assessments, SOPs, or policies; and
Guidance following a WorkSafe notification or improvement notice.

An independent consultant can give you a fresh perspective and help ensure your systems are practical and compliant.

8. Continuous Improvement

A strong health and safety culture doesn’t stop once the basics are in place. Ongoing investment should cover:

Reviewing and updating procedures and policies;
New technologies that improve safety;
Recognition and rewards for safe behaviour; and
Worker engagement initiatives and health and safety committees.

Continuous improvement keeps your business aligned with both legislation and best practice.

Final Thoughts

Budgeting for health and safety isn’t a “nice to have” – it’s a fundamental part of running a responsible and compliant business in New Zealand.

By allocating resources to training, equipment, monitoring, and management systems, you’re not only protecting your people – you’re also protecting your business from costly incidents, legal exposure, and reputational damage.