Health and safetyBuildPath management templateSometimes requiredHealth and safety planning and site workProject-controlledReviewed 11 August 2026

Plant and equipment pre-start checklist

Use the Plant and equipment pre-start checklist to identify, coordinate and verify health-and-safety controls without replacing each PCBU's duties or competent risk assessment. It is a control aid, not a substitute for the current official, contractual or professionally prepared document where one governs.

Who initiates it

PCBU, site controller, main contractor or person managing the activity

Who fills it out

The PCBU, main contractor, site supervisor or competent worker responsible for the activity

Who reviews it

The project manager and the person with technical, contractual or commercial authority for the subject

Who approves it

Responsible PCBU/competent person identified by the site's safety system

Applicability

Use for the actual activity, people and overlapping duties. Follow current WorkSafe requirements and seek competent advice for high-risk or notifiable work/events.

Who needs it

The project owner and the person controlling health and safety planning and site work, including each reviewer, approver or recipient named by the live project process.

Who signs it

Only the person with the authority or professional competence required by the source document, contract, insurer, lender or authority process.

When it is needed

Prepare before the related health and safety planning and site work decision or activity. Update it when scope, revision, cost, programme, responsibility, evidence or approval status changes.

Information needed

Activity, location, people and overlapping PCBUs
Hazards, elimination/minimisation controls and verification
Emergency, incident, notification and corrective actions

Where to find the information

Site-specific safety plan and contractor information
Current WorkSafe guidance and competent-person inspection
Site observations, worker consultation and incident evidence

Step-by-step

How to prepare, review and file it

01Confirm whether this record applies to the project and who has authority to prepare, review, sign, submit and approve it.
02Download or open the current official form or source requirements when an authority, insurer, lender or contract controls the format.
03Gather the latest controlled source documents and confirm their revisions before entering information.
04Complete every field using project-specific facts; mark not applicable with a reason and clearly label unverified assumptions.
05Cross-check names, addresses, legal description, consent numbers, dates, values, drawing references, policy details and attachments.
06Have the appropriate project owner and qualified adviser review technical, legal, financial, insurance, safety and compliance content.
07Submit or issue it through the required channel, save proof of issue and record any response or RFI.
08Track actions to close-out, then save the final signed/accepted record and attachments in the controlled project file.

Where to submit or store it

Keep in the site health and safety system; send to WorkSafe or another party only when a current legal or contractual process requires it.

Submission channels

Controlled project document system
Contract communication or document transmittal
Email only where the project communication plan permits it

Documents to attach

Current drawings, specifications, reports or approval documents referenced in the record
Marked-up plans, photographs, quotes, correspondence, inspection results or certificates that support the entries
Required signatures, declarations, schedules, evidence or authority-generated receipt/acknowledgement

What happens after issue or submission

Brief affected people, verify controls before and during work, update after change and follow the current emergency/notification process when triggered.

Controlled storage

Save the final record and supporting evidence in the controlled project document system, with the revision, issue status and related workspace record.

Source applicability

Confirm the project stage, contract, consent, consultant scope and actual site circumstances before use.

Common mistakes

Using an old template, superseded drawing, expired certificate or outdated authority process.
Copying generic wording without checking the specific property, consent, contract, policy or work package.
Leaving ownership, dates, revision, status, attachments or close-out evidence unclear.
Treating an internal checklist as an official authority, insurance, lender, legal or professional form.

Red flags and stop points

Required information conflicts between title, consented plans, consultant reports, contracts or site conditions.
A person is being asked to sign, certify or approve outside their authority or competence.
Work, purchase, payment, submission or occupation is proposed before a required approval or insurance confirmation is recorded.
Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.

Connected project controls

Related quote package: Site safety and specialist controls
Related checklist items: Health and safety planning and site work; Prepare and review Plant and equipment pre-start checklist; File evidence and close outstanding actions
Related software tool: Task Management / Document Register
Example completed version: Example: Plant and equipment pre-start checklist for 12 Example Road, Auckland; prepared by the named project owner; current source documents listed by number and revision; assumptions marked; two actions assigned with dates; reviewed by the appropriate adviser; final version and evidence filed in the controlled project record.

Connected Workspace record

Task Management / Document Register

Open Workspace area

Blank editable template

Complete a project-specific record

Free · saved in this browser

1. Plant and equipment pre-start checklist: identity and statusEnter the controlled reference, revision, status, prepared/reviewed dates and exact project/work area.Where this information comes from: Project document register, project details and the current source process2. Activity and people exposedDescribe the actual task, location, duration and every affected work group/public interface.Where this information comes from: Programme, site plan and contractor method3. Hazard and controlRecord elimination first, then minimisation controls and who installs/checks them.Where this information comes from: Risk assessment and competent advice4. Coordination and briefingRecord overlapping PCBUs, agreed control owner, induction/toolbox and change trigger.Where this information comes from: Coordination meeting and worker acknowledgement5. Verification and responseRecord inspection, deficiency, stop/resume authority, incident/notification and corrective evidence.Where this information comes from: Inspection/incident/corrective records6. Actions, owner and deadlineAssign every missing, failed, conditional or conflicting item to one named owner and decision deadline.Where this information comes from: Issue, decision, responsibility and programme records7. Review, approval and close-outRecord reviewer/approver authority, outcome, conditions, linked evidence and final controlled location.Where this information comes from: Authority register, signed/portal response and close-out evidence

BuildPath NZ is an educational guide and project-management resource only. It does not replace advice from Auckland Council, a planner, architect, engineer, surveyor, quantity surveyor, lawyer, accountant, lender, insurer, insurance broker, WorkSafe, Watercare, utility provider, building consent authority or other qualified professional.

Open connected workspace module

Verification

Source / where to check

Use current official information and the controlled documents for the actual project.

WorkSafe NZ construction

Use WorkSafe NZ for construction health and safety duties, risk management, and practical guidance for residential construction work.

WorkSafe NZ asbestos

Use before demolition, refurbishment, or disturbance of possible asbestos-containing material.

Project-controlled documents

Use the current project brief, approval authorities, issued drawings, specifications, contracts, consultant reports, programme, correspondence and controlled registers.

Project-specific consented documents and professional advice override generic guidance.

Educational resource and verification warning

Insufficient data to verify — confirm against the current consented drawings, specifications, Auckland Council requirements, Auckland Unitary Plan, NZ Building Code, relevant NZ Standard, consultant advice, manufacturer instructions, insurance broker, insurer, lender, lawyer, accountant or project contract.