What are overlapping duties?
Many personnel often work alongside other organisations – known as Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs). This means Fire and Emergency personnel share the health and safety duties and responsibilities – these duties and responsibilities are known as overlapping duties.
When overlapping duties are present, it is important all PCBUs (including Fire and Emergency personnel) are clear on who is managing what risks, and when.
An example of overlapping duties during operational response is when Fire and Emergency personnel work alongside the NZ Police, Hato Hone St John, Wellington Free Ambulance, and a power authority. Overlapping duties happen in non-operational settings too, for example, when Fire and Emergency personnel work with community partners for risk reduction engagements or contractors during a new station build.
The three C’s: Consult, Cooperate, Coordinate
When working with other PCBUs it is crucial to consult, cooperate and coordinate:
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Consult with people about risks, roles, and responsibilities
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Cooperate to plan and confirm how roles and responsibilities overlap
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Coordinate next steps to respond effectively.
This ensures risks are managed appropriately, roles are clearly defined and avoids duplication
New resources available
Fire and Emergency has launched an overlapping duties Portal page: What to do when you have overlapping duties. You can learn more about what overlapping duties are, examples of overlapping duties, and how to apply the three C’s in practice.
There is also an Overlapping Duties Framework(external link), which outlines how Fire and Emergency personnel manage shared health and safety duties and responsibilities with fellow PCBUs.
If you need advice on managing overlapping duties, please contact your Region Safety, Health and Wellbeing Advisor.
For operational responses, relevant operational doctrine should continue to be used.
