Health & Safety Advisory vs Full-Time Health & Safety Staff:
Why It Works for Your Business
Independent Oversight. Stronger Performance.
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Independent Oversight. Stronger Performance. 〰️
Our Services
Managing workplace health and safety is critical for every business, but hiring a full-time Health and Safety Officer can be expensive and not always necessary. At Summit Risk Advisory, we provide a flexible, expert advisory service on a retainer basis, giving your business all the benefits of professional support without the high costs of a full-time employee.
Senior-Level Risk & Governance Capability, Without Fixed Overhead.
Full-time H&S staff typically cost $100–130k/year, plus overheads like insurance, training, and leave entitlements.
Our retainer service starts at $3–6k/month, giving you access to experienced H&S professionals at a fraction of the cost.
You pay for results and guidance, not for downtime.
Predictable Monthly Investment.
Our retainer model gives your business budget certainty, with no surprises.
You can plan for ongoing support while keeping your overheads low.
Contact us for a free, no obligation quote
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Contact us for a free, no obligation quote 〰️
Health & Safety Capability Comparison for New Zealand Businesses
| Responsibility / Capability | Full‑Time H&S Advisor | Summit Risk Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to Business | $100,000–$130,000 salary + ACC + overheads | Predictable monthly retainer ($3–$6k excl GST) |
| Experience Level | Often junior–mid level | Senior specialist with investigation & governance expertise |
| System Ownership | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes — with independent oversight |
| Incident Investigations | ⚠️ Limited experience; may require external support | ✔️ Led by a consultant with practical investigation experience and extensive regulatory insight. |
| WorkSafe Engagement | ❌ Rarely experienced | ✔️ Full support, evidence packs, corrective action planning |
| Governance Reporting | ❌ Inconsistent or absent | ✔️ Monthly/quarterly governance reporting for directors |
| Strategic H&S Planning | ❌ Not typically provided | ✔️ Strategic planning aligned with HSWA and business risk |
| On‑Site Presence | Daily | Scheduled monthly visits + on‑call support |
| Independence | ❌ Employee; limited objectivity | ✔️ Independent, regulator‑aligned oversight |
| Scalability | ❌ Fixed cost regardless of workload | ✔️ Scales up or down as business needs change |
| Specialist Capability | ❌ Limited to individual skillset | ✔️ Access to specialist-level investigation, system design, and governance |
| Risk to Business | Higher — capability varies, turnover risk | Lower — senior expertise, stable support, independent assurance |