Dec 9, 2025
Health monitoring & the law – what you need to know (and why it matters)
Many clients ask us: “Are health checks actually required by law?”
The short answer is yes – in certain situations, and understanding when they apply can save businesses a lot of stress down the track.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, employers (PCBU’s) have a legal duty to ensure workers are not put at risk from health hazards at work. Where workers are exposed to hazards that could cause long-term or serious health effects, health monitoring (health checks) is not optional – it’s part of meeting your legal obligations.
Who is required to provide health checks?
Health monitoring is required when workers are exposed to risks such as:
- Noise (risk of hearing loss)
- Respiratory hazards (dusts, fumes, vapours, chemicals)
- Hazardous substances
- Vibration
- Tasks that place strain on the body over time
If a risk assessment shows that exposure cannot be completely eliminated, health monitoring must be provided to help detect early signs of work-related harm.
What about contractors?
This often surprises people 👀
If you engage contractors, you still have duties.
Both the business engaging the contractor and the contractor themselves have responsibilities to ensure health and safety is managed.
That means:
- Contractors may need health checks before starting work
- Ongoing health monitoring may be required depending on exposure
- Businesses should ensure contractor health checks are current and appropriate for the work being done
Simply assuming a contractor “has it covered” can leave gaps in compliance.
Why proactive health checks make good business sense
Beyond legal compliance, health checks:
- Help identify issues early, before they become serious
- Reduce lost time, claims, and long-term costs
- Demonstrate due diligence if WorkSafe ever asks questions
- Show your workers and contractors that their health genuinely matters
We make it easy
We work with businesses to:
- Identify who actually needs health checks (and who doesn’t)
- Ensure checks are fit-for-purpose and legally compliant
- Keep documentation clear, confidential, and audit-ready
If you’re unsure whether your business or contractors require health monitoring, a quick conversation can bring real peace of mind.
Our occupational health nurse works under a non-commercial, compliant model, selecting only health checks that are legally required and clinically justified. No unnecessary testing—just ethical, fit-for-purpose monitoring that meets your obligations and protects your people.
Contact us today to get your Occupational Health Checks sorted.
📞 0800 489 5669 | ✉️ itw@itw.org.nz
Industry Training Works — keeping New Zealand’s workforce safe, skilled, and healthy.
Dec 8, 2025
🚧2026 Crane Training: Limited Dates – Book Now Before They’re Gone
If crane operations are part of your workplace, now is the time to secure training for the year ahead. Our 2026 Crane Training programme is officially open for bookings, and with dates strictly limited, early planning is essential. Once peak-season slots fill, we won’t be able to release additional dates.
With newly approved training and assessment materials ready for delivery, our updated crane pathway has been designed to support safe, compliant, and industry-ready practice across a wide range of lifting activities.
What’s Available to Book Now
Our current 2026 schedule includes nationally recognised unit standards across foundational and advanced crane operations:
✅ Sling Regular Loads Safely – US 30072
The essential pre-requisite for all crane training. This course builds the core skills needed to safely sling regular loads and sets operators up for further crane endorsements.
✅ Overhead Gantry Crane – US 3800
Ideal for sites operating remote or pendant-controlled gantry cranes. This training covers safe operation, load handling, workplace checks, and operational responsibilities.
✅ Rigging & Slinging (Dogman) – US 3789
Perfect for those working alongside crane operators. Learn to prepare loads, select lifting gear, and safely direct crane movements using clear, effective communication.
Coming Early in the New Year
These unit standards are in their final approval phase and will open for booking shortly:
🛠 Truck Loader Crane – US 16617
🛠 Sling Complex Loads – US 3801
(Pre-register your interest now to secure first access to available dates.)
Why You Need to Book Early
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Strictly limited training dates for 2026
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High demand across all crane disciplines
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Updated training materials designed around current best practice
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Avoid compliance gaps during busy operational periods
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Plan your training calendar with confidence
Every year, our crane courses fill quickly. Booking now ensures your team stays current, competent, and fully compliant.
Train with the Experts
Our trainers bring extensive industry experience, real-world insight, and practical lifting knowledge to every session. Whether you’re training new operators or refreshing existing certifications, our crane pathway supports safe operations, regulatory compliance, and confident performance on site.
Secure Your 2026 Crane Training Dates Today
Don’t wait until peak season to discover all dates are full. Lock in your training now and keep your lifting operations safe, skilled, and fully certified for the year ahead.
📅 Book your course today: Secure your preferred dates!
📞 Contact us: 0800 489 5669 | 📧 Email: itw@itw.org.nz
Dec 3, 2025
A Huge Milestone Worth Celebrating! ⭐️⭐️
Industry Training Works is incredibly proud to celebrate a special moment from EMS’ first Honours Night, held on 22 November at the Tokoroa Cosmopolitan Club.
One of the highlights of the evening was seeing our director, Bob, alongside his wife Lyn, receive a double gold star in recognition of an amazing 50 years of service. This award reflects Bob’s lifelong dedication to service, leadership, and community. Values that continue to guide both EMS and ITW every day.
We were also proud to see several EMS team members recognised for their continued professional development, including CIMS training achievements, which play a key role in building strong, capable emergency response teams.
A massive congratulations to Bob and Lyn from all of us here at ITW. 🎉
And well done to the EMS team for putting together a fantastic first Honours Night, along with everyone working behind the scenes to make it such a successful event.
Here’s to many more moments of recognition and achievement!
Nov 25, 2025
Something Exciting Is Coming for Kawerau in 2026…
We know our current Kawerau premises haven’t exactly been ideal – especially when it comes to comfort and practicality for training. Thank you for sticking with us and continuing to send your people our way despite the less-than-perfect surroundings.
Behind the scenes, we’ve been working hard on a solution, and we’re excited to let you know that a new Kawerau training site is on the horizon for the new year.
While we can’t share all the details just yet, here’s what you can expect:
- A much improved practical training area designed with real work environments in mind
- Dedicated classrooms that are more comfortable and fit-for-purpose
- A better overall experience for your teams when they come to train with us
We really appreciate your patience and support as we make this transition. We’ll share more information – including timelines and what this means for your future bookings – as soon as everything is confirmed.
New year, new Kawerau training home – watch this space.
📞 0800 489 5669 | ✉️ itw@itw.org.nz
Work safe. Stay safe. Be equipped.
Nov 25, 2025
🧰 Equipment & PPE Corner
When Should You Replace Your Harness or Helmet?
Keeping your team safe at height isn’t just about having the right gear — it’s about making sure that gear is still performing as it should. Over time, even the highest-quality harnesses and helmets lose their protective strength through everyday wear, UV exposure, contaminants, or simply age.
Here’s how to know when it’s time to replace your equipment:
🔍 Harness Replacement Checklist
Replace your harness immediately if you notice:
- Fraying, cuts, or pulled stitching
- UV fading or brittle webbing
- Damaged or distorted D-rings or buckles
- Chemical contamination (fuel, acids, solvents)
- Missing labels or unreadable inspection tags
- A fall event — any harness involved in a fall must be retired
General lifespan guide:
When used in accordance with AS/NZS1891 design standards, harnesses are generally serviceable for up to 10 years. However, if any of the issues mentioned above are observed, the harness must be removed from service before reaching 10 years
🪖 Helmet Replacement Checklist
Replace your safety helmet if:
- It has been dropped from height
- The shell shows cracks, dents, or soft spots
- The internal cradle or padding is worn, loose, or missing
- It has been exposed to high heat, UV degradation, or chemicals
- Straps or buckles are damaged
- The expiry date has passed
General lifespan guide:
Most helmets should be replaced at regular intervals following manufacturer recommendations.
🛠 Need Help Deciding? We Can Fit Test & Review
As part of our partnership with Zero Heights Safety, our qualified team can:
- Inspect your current equipment
- Recommend replacements
- Help you choose the right harness or helmet for your work
- Provide on-site fit testing and product demonstrations
💬 Want Us to Check Your Gear?
Simply contact us to book an on-site equipment review or fit test.
📞 0800 489 5669 | ✉️ itw@itw.org.nz
Work safe. Stay safe. Be equipped.
