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.