Health and Safety

Welcome to the Health and Safety in Employment (HSE) Unit of the CAA.

On 5 May 2003 the Civil Aviation Authority was designated to administer the provisions of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 in respect of the aviation sector, specifically for aircraft while in operation.

The HSE Unit of the CAA has been established to fulfill that function. For further information about the designation and the HSE Unit, see our background page.

The fundamental principle of the HSE Act is to promote the prevention of harm to people at work and other people in, or in the vicinity of, a place of work, by imposing various duties and requirements on employers, employees, self-employed people, and principals.

Contacting the CAA HSE Unit

If you have an HSE problem or issue that you think falls within the CAA's designated area then you should:

  • In the first instance, address it with your colleagues or representatives, and then your employer, in an attempt to get the issue resolved in the best way. The HSE Act is quite specific with respect to the responsibilities of all parties.

  • If your in-house action does not result in a fix for the problem or deal with the issue, then contact the HSE Unit in the CAA.

You have the right to contact the CAA HSE Unit at anytime regarding any HSE issues that fall within the CAA's designation.

Tel: +64-4-560 9400
Email: hsu@caa.govt.nz
Fax: +64-4-569 2024
Post: P O Box 31-441, Lower Hutt 5040

Contact details for HSE Staff

Reporting HSE Accidents, Incidents, and Notifiable Occupational Disease

Call or email the Health and Safety Unit using the contact phone or fax numbers or email address above.

Report an HSE Incident or Accident

Report a Notifiable Occupational Disease

(The pages above have links to the appropriate forms.)

To report an accident or serious incident phone:
0508 ACCIDENT (0508 222 433) Monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To report other safety or security concerns phone:
0508 4SAFETY (0508 472 338) Available office hours (voice mail after hours).

To report other safety or security concerns email: info@caa.govt.nz

CAA-HSE Documents

Cabin Crew and Tech Crew

Health and Safety for Cabin Crew and Flight Crew Guideline - Consultation

The Health and Safety in Employment Unit has just released the draft of an Aircrew Safety Guideline and is asking for  Industry review and comment. The Guideline is entitled  Occupational Health and Safety For Cabin Crew and Flight Crew.

This guideline provides health and safety guidance to employers, aircraft operators, cabin crew and flight crew. It focuses on specific occupational hazards, relevant to all crew members, that exist on board aircraft. 

The guideline is largely ‘best practice’ rather than mandatory in nature and agencies investigating incidents and accidents may use this guideline when conducting investigations. The Legislative basis for the guideline is the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.

The HSE Unit has asked for feedback on hard copies of this document and welcomes written submission as well.  All feedback and submissions will need to be back to the Civil Aviation Authority by 29 May 09.

Once the Guideline is published, it is intended to be a living document, and will be regularly reviewed and updated by the CAA and the industry consultation group.

Occupational Health and Safety for Cabin Crew and Flight Crew (841 Kb)

Top Dressing Industry

Agricultural companies and pilots may be put at risk when fertiliser condition is not optimal due to manufacture, transportation, or storage factors, or when working from airstrips which are not fit for the purpose. This publication provides information about farm airstrips and the farmer's role in providing an adequate and reasonable strip and an appropriate fertiliser storage facility. It also includes information for fertiliser manufactures and transporters, and aviation companies and pilots. It was produced with consultation between Federated Farmers, the Department of Labour, New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association, the CAA, and others.

Safety Guideline: Farm Airstrips and Associated Fertiliser Cartage, Storage and Application
[1 Mb]

For a free printed copy of the Safety Guideline, email hsu@caa.govt.nz

Further Information

CAA-HSE Designation - Background

Workplace Health and Safety Strategy for New Zealand to 2015

The Workplace Health and Safety Strategy for New Zealand to 2015 (WHSS) was launched by Associate Labour Minister Ruth Dyson on 22 June 2005. The strategy provides a framework for achieving safer and healthier workplaces to the year 2015. The Minister also launched the first Action Plan for 2005/2006, and announced the establishment of a new ministerial advisory group.

"By providing a common vision, and supporting it with an ambitious Action Plan, the strategy enables New Zealand to save lives and protect the health of workers. It will contribute to New Zealand's economic success by keeping workers productive and on the job. It will also help improve workplace cultures where attitudes often dictate employee behaviour about health and safety," Ruth Dyson said.

The strategy, aimed at reducing the number of work related deaths, injury and disease, provides a framework for the workplace health and safety activities of government agencies, local government, unions, employer and industry organisations, other non-government organisations, and workplaces.

If you wish to view the strategy, you can do so by this link, www.whss.govt.nz.

A Guide to the Health and Safety in Employment Act

This is the second edition of what has become known as the 'Blue Guide'. It has been revised to include the Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Act 2002.

The HSE Amendment Act 2002 (consolidated version)

For basic information about setting up a Health and Safety Management System for your workplace there are four publications available:

Workinfo - a web site giving information about the Health and Safety in Employment (HSE) Act

Safety Net - Health and Safety web site of the Department of Labour, New Zealand

Fatigue Risk Management Project