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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of safe working practices on construction sites
Level / 3 / Credits / 3
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: outline safety legislation, regulations, Codes of Practice and Guidelines relevant to the construction industry; and outline principles of safe working practices on construction sites.
Classification / Construction Trades > Core Construction
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Credit for this unit standard indicates compliance with industry practice. Industry practice refers to the ability to demonstrate knowledge that reflects the uniformity, finish quality and material economies currently accepted within industry.
2Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995;
Building Act 2004 and Building Regulations 1992;
Resource Management Act 1991;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996;available at
Approved Codes of Practice and Guidelines applicable to the construction industry, available at
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Outline safety legislation, regulations, Codes of Practice and Guidelines relevant to the construction industry.
Evidence requirements
1.1The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995, (plus amendments) are described in terms of their safety requirements relevant to the construction industry.
Rangeroles and responsibilities, hazard management, accident investigation and reporting, emergency procedures, notifiable work, training and supervision, employee participation, certificates of competency.
1.2Other legislation is described in terms of its safety requirements for on site construction.
RangeBuilding Act 2004, Building Regulations 1992, Resource Management Act 1991, Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
1.3Approved Codes of Practice and Guidelines are described in terms of their role in managing hazards.
Outcome 2
Outline principles of safe working practices on construction sites.
Evidence requirements
2.1Site specific safety plans are described in terms of their content and on site implementation.
Rangeresponsibilities, training and supervision, hazard management, monitoring, safety meetings, notifiable work, emergency plans.
2.2Hazard identification, and control methods are described for a construction site.
Rangehouse keeping, hand tools, portable power tools, scaffolding, excavations, working at heights, ladders, chemicals, noise, compressed air, electrical, demolition, machinery, powder actuated power tools.
2.3Selection and use of items of personal protective equipment are described for a construction site.
Rangeprotective clothing, safety footwear, hearing protection, eye and face protection, UV protection, dust masks and respirators, hard hats, high visibility clothing, gloves, fall restraint/arrest equipment, safety signs.
2.4Manual handling controls are described for a construction site.
Rangecorrect lifting technique, mechanical aids, work area layout.
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 21 May 1999 / 31 December 2015
Review / 2 / 26 February 2002 / 31 December 2015
Review / 3 / 25 January 2008 / 31 December 2016
Review / 4 / 19 February 2015 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0048
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact Building and Construction Industry Training if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Building and Construction Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101562 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018