In a bold move to reshape workplace health and safety, the New Zealand government has announced sweeping reforms to WorkSafe, transforming it from an enforcement-heavy agency into a supportive regulator that prioritizes critical risks.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has spearheaded these changes following extensive public consultation, where businesses and workers voiced frustrations about WorkSafe’s punitive approach and inconsistent guidance.
At the heart of the reform is a shift away from a “safety-at-all-costs” mentality, with WorkSafe now focusing on providing clearer guidance and ensuring compliance is proportionate to actual risks.
A prime example of this shift is the launch of the road cone tipline, allowing the public to report excessive use of road cones in temporary traffic management.
This initiative reflects the government’s stance against over-compliance and unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses.
WorkSafe’s transformation will also involve revamping its approach to prosecutions, ensuring accountability is directed at those truly responsible for safety breaches.
Minister van Velden has expressed concerns about past cases where organizations were prosecuted despite lacking direct responsibility for incidents.
She cited the Whakaari White Island eruption case as an example, stressing that WorkSafe must focus on clear breaches rather than pursuing novel legal precedents.
Additionally, outdated guidance documents that no longer align with modern workplace practices and technology are being removed.
So far, 50 documents have been eliminated, with more set to follow, making it easier for businesses to access relevant and up-to-date safety advice.
Fiscal transparency is another priority, with WorkSafe’s budget restructured into four new categories:
- Supporting work health and safety practice
- Enforcing work health and safety compliance
- Authorizing and monitoring work health and safety activities
- Energy safety
This division will make it easier to track the cost and effectiveness of WorkSafe’s operations, ensuring public funds are being used efficiently.
WorkSafe’s inspectorate is also being encouraged to adopt a more practical and collaborative approach, focusing on industries with the highest risks—such as agriculture, forestry, construction, and manufacturing.
Minister van Velden emphasized that moving away from adversarial enforcement will help businesses and workers understand compliance requirements without unnecessary fear or confusion.
The reforms signal a pivotal moment for workplace safety in New Zealand, setting the stage for a regulatory approach that is both firm in addressing genuine risks and flexible in providing practical guidance.
With a clearer framework and a renewed culture of engagement, WorkSafe is poised to ensure safety while fostering trust with businesses and workers across the country.
