NZ Security Licence Health and Safety — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the NZ Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, what are a security guard's obligations as a worker?
- Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and others', comply with reasonable health and safety instructions, and report hazards (Correct answer)
- Workers have no health and safety obligations — only the employer does
- Only report injuries that require hospital treatment
- Health and safety only applies during daylight hours
Correct answer: Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and others', comply with reasonable health and safety instructions, and report hazards
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, NZ workers (including security guards) must take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others, comply with reasonable workplace health and safety instructions, and report hazards and incidents.
Question 2: What are the main workplace health and safety risks for security guards in NZ?
- Physical assault, fatigue from shift work, lone worker risks, exposure to aggressive/intoxicated people, and environmental hazards (Correct answer)
- There are no significant risks in security work
- Only the risk of being bored during quiet shifts
- Paper cuts from writing reports
Correct answer: Physical assault, fatigue from shift work, lone worker risks, exposure to aggressive/intoxicated people, and environmental hazards
Key health and safety risks for NZ security guards include: physical assault, fatigue from night shifts and long hours, lone worker risks, dealing with aggressive or intoxicated persons, environmental hazards (weather, terrain), and psychological/stress-related risks.
Question 3: Under NZ law, what safety procedures should a lone security guard follow?
- Regular check-ins with a base or supervisor, carrying a communication device, knowing emergency procedures, and conducting dynamic risk assessments (Correct answer)
- No special procedures are needed for lone workers
- Simply lock all doors and wait inside until the shift ends
- Lone working is prohibited under NZ law
Correct answer: Regular check-ins with a base or supervisor, carrying a communication device, knowing emergency procedures, and conducting dynamic risk assessments
NZ lone worker safety procedures include: regular scheduled check-ins (e.g., every 30-60 minutes), carrying a reliable communication device, having clear emergency procedures, conducting ongoing risk assessments, and having a 'no-show' escalation procedure if check-ins are missed.
Question 4: What first aid qualification is recommended for NZ security guards?
- A current workplace first aid certificate (NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401, 6402) covering CPR, wound management, and medical emergencies (Correct answer)
- No first aid training is required or recommended
- A full paramedic qualification
- Only CPR training is needed
Correct answer: A current workplace first aid certificate (NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401, 6402) covering CPR, wound management, and medical emergencies
NZ security guards should hold a current workplace first aid certificate covering the NZQA Unit Standards for first aid (including CPR, wound management, and managing medical emergencies). This is particularly important given the nature of security work.
Question 5: What should a NZ security guard do if they identify a fire hazard during their patrol?
- Record the hazard, report it to the site manager or building management immediately, and if necessary take interim measures to mitigate the risk (Correct answer)
- Ignore it as fire safety is the fire service's responsibility
- Fix the hazard themselves regardless of their qualifications
- Wait until the end of their shift to report it
Correct answer: Record the hazard, report it to the site manager or building management immediately, and if necessary take interim measures to mitigate the risk
If a fire hazard is identified during patrol, the guard should record the details, report it immediately to the site manager or building management, and take any safe interim measures to reduce the risk (such as removing obstructions from fire exits).
Question 6: Under NZ law, what constitutes a 'notifiable event' that must be reported to WorkSafe NZ?
- Death, notifiable injury or illness (e.g., hospitalisation for 48+ hours, amputation, serious head injury), or a notifiable incident (unplanned event with potential for serious harm) (Correct answer)
- Only events resulting in death
- Any workplace injury, no matter how minor
- Only events that result in a formal complaint
Correct answer: Death, notifiable injury or illness (e.g., hospitalisation for 48+ hours, amputation, serious head injury), or a notifiable incident (unplanned event with potential for serious harm)
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, notifiable events include: death of a person, notifiable injury or illness (e.g., requiring hospitalisation for 48+ hours, amputation, serious burns), or a notifiable incident (unplanned event that could have caused serious harm).
NZ Security Licence Health and Safety
Under the NZ Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, what are a security guard's obligations as a worker?