Health & Safety at Work Act – Reforms / Update

The New Zealand Government has announced the first phase of reforms to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, aiming to reduce compliance burdens and clarify responsibilities within the health and safety framework.​

One significant change is the clarification regarding landowner liability for recreational activities. Under the proposed amendments, landowners will not be held responsible if someone is injured while engaging in recreational activities on their land. Instead, health and safety responsibilities will lie with the organisation running the activities. However, landowners will still need to consider risks from their own work, where that work is happening near the recreational activity.​

Another key reform involves the use of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs). The Government proposes that complying with an ACOP would be deemed to amount to compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act. This change encourages industry groups to develop sector-specific ACOPs, which, upon approval, would provide practical guidance and greater certainty for businesses operating within those sectors.​

These reforms are part of a broader initiative to focus the health and safety system on managing critical risks and reducing unnecessary compliance costs, particularly for small, low-risk businesses. The legislative process will include opportunities for public consultation, with further details expected as the reforms progress through Parliament.​

Executive teams should monitor these developments closely, review their current health and safety practices in light of the proposed changes, and consider participating in the consultation process to ensure their perspectives are represented.

If you’d like support understanding how these changes may affect your organisation, or guidance on updating your systems to align with the new direction, get in touch with us at Lakes Safety Services.