Pre-Quals

What is PreQual?

Pre-qualification (PreQual) for tradespersons in New Zealand is a process used by contractors and principal organisations to assess and verify the health and safety capabilities of subcontractors and suppliers before they start work on a site. It helps ensure that tradespersons meet the legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and have the systems in place to work safely and responsibly. Here’s an overview of how PreQual works.

Prequal provides a consistent, independent assessment of a contractor or tradesperson’s health and safety management systems, practices, and overall capability. It acts as a verification that they have effective risk controls, insurance, and safety procedures. This helps principal contractors reduce risks when engaging subcontractors and ensures compliance with legal health and safety duties.

The main PreQual NZ providers are:

Sitewise
Qualify 365
SHEPreQual
Impac PreQual
Totika

PreQual Requirements

For many tradies, particularly owner operators Pre-qual can be a bit overwhelming. While you might not need a comprehensive Safety Management System to work on your own, you'll need to have evidence of your SMS to complete the PreQual. This is a benefit of implementing a safety system that capture your activity even if you work alone or in a small team. Key elements of pre-quals include evidence of:

Safety management systems and policies
Worker training and competence
Hazard identification and risk controls
Incident and near-miss reporting
Insurance and certification
Some may also wish to see an Environmental Management Policy.

You'll need to provide evidence that the elements of your SMP are put in to practice. This might include

Evidence of health and safety meetings, when they were held, who attended, what was discussed.
Evidence workers attended tool box meetings e.g. they have signed of attending, or you have captured evidence on an App.
Evidence of incidents and investigations. If there's no incidents each month, this should be recorded on your incident register. If you've not reported any incidents you need to demonstrate in your meeting minutes that you've discussed the importance of reporting incidents.
Evidence you have consulted, coordinated and cooperated with other businesses and/or tradies on health and safety matters.
Evidence of your training and competency register.
Your master risk register.
Evidence of regular inspections of the workplace.
Evidence of how you will carry out high risk work (if applicable). This might include hotwork permits, working at height etc. these need to be signed off by workers. It could also include a notifiable work notification to WorkSafe.
Evidence of health checks if applicable.
Hazardous substances register and sample SDS's if applicable.
Evidence you manage psychosocial risks (mental health).