Discipline Definitions for HASANZ Full Member Associations
The disciplines represented by the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) Full Member Associations reflect the broad range of professional expertise that supports safer and healthier workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand. Each discipline brings specialised knowledge, skills, and experience that contribute to the prevention of harm, the promotion of worker wellbeing, and the development of effective workplace health and safety systems.
The following discipline definitions provide an overview of the professional areas represented within HASANZ and the important role each plays in supporting workers, businesses, and communities. These definitions are intended to help organisations, workers, and the public better understand the scope of practice and expertise available through the HASANZ Register and member associations.
Through collaboration across disciplines, HASANZ professionals work to improve workplace outcomes, support good practice, and strengthen health, safety, and wellbeing across all industries and sectors in New Zealand.
Discipline |
Definition |
| Asbestos professionals |
Asbestos professionals provide asbestos surveying, removal, assessing, and risk management services to industry to manage asbestos risks. |
| Hazardous Substance Professionals |
Hazardous Substance Professionals are specialists in the management of safety risks from explosive, flammable, toxic or corrosive substances being manufactured, used, stored, or transported at work. |
| Health and Safety Generalists |
Health and safety generalists provide H&S advice, support governance and leadership, planning, risk management across organisations at all levels'. |
| Human Factors Professionals/ Ergonomists |
Use knowledge of human performance across physical, cognitive, and organisational domains to provide analysis and advice for the design of work equipment, environments, processes, and work systems to support healthy and productive work. |
| Occupational Health Nurses |
Occupational Health Nurses (OHNs) are Registered Nurses governed by the Nursing Council of New Zealand and guided by NZOHNA. OHNs have the specialist qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience to provide PCBUs with comprehensive health services that focus on the prevention of work- and non-work-related injury, illness and disease. Occupational health services include pro-active health strategies which promote health, wellbeing, the identification of health risks and the reduction of potential workplace harm to workers. |
| Occupational Health Physiotherapists |
Occupational Health Physiotherapists optimise worker wellbeing and overall system performance through the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses in the workplace. |
| Occupational and Environmental Medicine Specialists |
Occupational and Environmental Medicine Specialists are Doctors who specialise in medicine related to the effects of work on health, and health on work. |
| Occupational Hygienists |
Occupational Hygienists specialise in the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, control, and communication of health hazards (chemical, physical and biological) and their potential health risks in the workplace. The objective is to protect worker health and well-being by preventing ill-health in the long or short term. |
| Occupational Therapists |
Occupational Therapists design and coordinate graded return to work programs. Educating clients and employers in safe work practices. Modifying the work environment to suit the needs of individuals so as to prevent or minimise injuries and ill-health. |
| Organisational Psychologists |
Organisational Psychologists focus on understanding and improving workplace dynamics, creating safer or more effective working. They address issues related to employee behaviour, competence, motivation, and well-being, helping organizations create healthier and more productive work environments. |