At the moment there are no Certified Audit Bodies (CAB) auditing to the WorkSafe scheme for asbestos which comes into force in April 2018.
WorkSafe warns that waiting to get certified under its scheme could potentially place a provider’s licence at risk. It expects that it could take around six months to get the accreditation for most businesses.
Some providers already are working with The Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) to get certified ahead on the deadline of April 4, 2018.
WorkSafe says providers may use either the Australian CPCC or the New Zealand NZQA based courses to meet the training requirements ahead of the deadline.
“Connect to the JAS-ANZ website and select a CAB which is using AS/NZS 4801 or OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Scheme Audits to get moving,” it says.
The New Zealand watchdog body favours OHSAS 18001 over AS/NZS 4801 although both standards are similar in structure.
“We accept both standards. Choose which ever standard means that you will be ready come 4 April 2018,” it says
WorkSafe notes there are subtle differences between the two that mean OHSAS 18001 is the more appropriate choice.
“The OHSAS 18001 standard better reflects the legislative environment relating to health and safety, for example focusing on risks rather than hazards, or worker over employee.”
While these differences will not significantly affect the overall outcome of either scheme, the relationship to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 means WorkSafe leans toward OHSAS 18001 over AS/NZS 4801:2001.
JAS-ANZ itself does not certify or inspect organisations, products or people; rather, it accredits the bodies that do by developing the assessment criteria certifiers and inspectors must meet to become accredited under a range of themes including health and human services and environment.
WorkSafe website: www.worksafe.govt.nz
JAS-ANZ website: www.jas-anz.org
