Cash for being health and safety conscious

The Workplace Safety Discount (WSD) is a 10% ACC discount for small businesses and the self-employed in high-risk sectors such as construction – which is just over 90% of companies in the building sector! The programme is now being extended to include similar-sized businesses in any sector, all of which acts as a timely reminder as to the importance of workplace safety.

Injury impact

Small businesses really feel the impact of a staff member being injured and, like all employers, want their staff to go home safely at the end of the day. By expanding the programme, ACC hopes to encourage more small businesses to improve their workplace safety and reduce work-related injuries. In return, businesses can receive a 10% reduction in their annual Work Levy, which ACC collects to help meet the cost of work-related injuries.

Who can apply?

All self-employed people and any business with a total annual payroll of $537,000 or less, or ten or fewer full-time employees, can now apply for a WSD.

To qualify, applicants must successfully complete a self-assessment form, showing they have appropriate experience and current practices in areas such as:

• Hazard identification and management.
• Incident and accident investigation.
• Employee training in health and safety matters.
• Emergency management procedures.

Experience in these areas can be gained on the job or through a health and safety training course.

“Small businesses really feel the impact of a staff member being injured and, like all employers, want their staff to go safely at the end of the day.

Applicant assessment

The assessment framework will help businesses see the sorts of things they can do to improve workplace safety. If ACC can encourage more businesses to develop effective safety practices for their workplace, that will be a great outcome. ACC wants to work with businesses to make New Zealand a safer place to work.

ACC-approved auditors will check applications and some workplaces may be asked to complete a phone or onsite audit to confirm they qualify for the discount.

New Zealand has a comparatively high rate of workplace injuries; injuries can happen in any workplace. Broadening the scope of the WSD programme is a positive step towards addressing this.

Discount details

The discount applies for three tax years from the date your application and self-assessment is approved, backdated to the beginning of that tax year. As part of the application, you will be required to complete an annual declaration to confirm your trading details.

ACC also offers a ‘Workplace Safety Management Practices’ (WSMP) programme, aimed at medium and larger businesses.