For most everyday residential scaffolding jobs — like a standard scaffold around a single-storey or two-storey home for painting or re-roofing — your scaffolder will not need to formally notify WorkSafe NZ before starting. However, there are specific situations where a prior notification is legally required, and it's important to understand the rules so your project stays safe and compliant.
What Is a WorkSafe Notification?
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016, certain types of construction work are classified as notifiable work. Before this work begins, the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) — in most cases, the scaffolding contractor — must notify WorkSafe NZ in advance.
This notification is a formal heads-up to the regulator that higher-risk work is about to take place. It doesn't mean WorkSafe will show up on the day, but it does put them on notice and ensures accountability.
When Is Notification Required for Scaffolding?
Notification is generally required when the construction work meets one or more of these thresholds:
- The work is expected to last more than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers simultaneously on site at any point, or
- The work involves more than 500 person-days of work in total, or
- The work involves particular hazards such as work in or near excavations deeper than 1.5 m, work with hazardous substances, or work on or near live services.
For a typical residential scaffolding job — a scaffold erected for a week or two around a standard home — these thresholds are very unlikely to be met. However, for large-scale residential developments, multi-unit builds, or complex commercial-adjacent projects, notification may well be required.
Your scaffolding contractor is responsible for making this assessment and submitting the notification if needed. You can read more about notifiable work on the WorkSafe NZ website.
What About Scaffold Height and Safety Rules?
Even when formal notification isn't required, scaffolders must still comply with strict safety obligations under the HSWA and relevant WorkSafe NZ regulations and approved codes of practice. Key rules include:
- Scaffolds over 5 metres in height must be erected, altered, or dismantled by a licensed scaffolder (holding a relevant certificate of competence).
- All scaffolding must be designed, erected, and maintained so it is safe for workers and the public.
- Edge protection (guardrails, mid-rails, and toe boards) is required at heights where a fall could cause injury — generally from 1.5 m and above on construction sites.
- A scaffold handover certificate should be provided when a scaffold is erected for others to use, confirming it is safe.
If you're unsure whether your scaffolder holds the right licence, you can ask them directly. Licensed scaffolders will have a certificate of competence issued under the relevant regulations.
Your Responsibilities as a Homeowner
As the homeowner (and potentially a PCBU if you're directing the work), you have some duties too — though in practice, most of the compliance responsibility sits with your scaffolding contractor. Here's what you should do:
- Ask your scaffolder whether notification is required for your specific job and confirm they've handled it if so.
- Ensure the scaffolding contractor has a safe work method in place.
- Keep children and pets away from the scaffold area.
- Don't climb or use the scaffold yourself unless the scaffolder has specifically confirmed it is safe and set up for your use.
Does Scaffolding Require a Building Consent?
Temporary scaffolding erected for construction or maintenance work is generally exempt from building consent under Schedule 1 of the Building Act 2004. However, this can depend on the specifics of your project. Always check with your local council if you're unsure, as consent requirements can vary. You can find general guidance at MBIE Building Performance.
When to Call a Professional
Scaffolding is not a DIY activity. Falls from height are one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the New Zealand construction industry. Always hire a qualified, experienced scaffolding contractor for any scaffold over 1.5 m — and for anything over 5 m, a licensed scaffolder is a legal requirement.
A good scaffolding contractor will:
- Assess whether WorkSafe notification is needed and handle it for you.
- Erect a scaffold that meets NZ safety standards.
- Provide a handover certificate so other tradespeople can use it safely.
- Dismantle and remove the scaffold safely when the job is done.
You can find qualified local scaffolders on tradedirectory.co.nz to get quotes and check credentials before work begins.
