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Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) stories

WorkSafe warn SME to properly plan high-risk, ad hoc work
Small Business

WorkSafe warn SME to properly plan high-risk, ad hoc work

A fatal machinery move in Ōtorohanga has prompted WorkSafe to warn small firms that improvised, non-routine jobs need proper planning and controls.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Sat, 4th Apr 2026
Three key machinery safety failures cost worker’s fingers
Case Study

Three key machinery safety failures cost worker’s fingers

WorkSafe says the bakery case shows how poor lockout controls, risk checks and training can leave machine workers facing life-changing injuries.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Sat, 28th Feb 2026
WorkSafe finally stirs on industry supported ACOP
Agricultural Technology

WorkSafe finally stirs on industry supported ACOP

Businesses face new compliance guidance as WorkSafe begins consulting on three draft industry-led approved codes of practice.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Thu, 5th Feb 2026
Yes minister, and selective hearing
Agricultural Technology

Yes minister, and selective hearing

Businesses are set for more guidance and lighter enforcement as WorkSafe pivots towards support, though some groups say consultation is still missing.

By Staff Writer • 7 min read • Wed, 21st Jan 2026
5 new workplace regulations you should prepare for before year-end
Data Protection

5 new workplace regulations you should prepare for before year-end

New Zealand employers face sweeping payroll, KiwiSaver, safety and privacy reforms, making year-end the crucial time to prepare systems.

By Sanam Ahmadzadeh Salmani • 3 min read • Thu, 18th Dec 2025
Height safety basics missed in preventable fall from pole
KiwiRail

Height safety basics missed in preventable fall from pole

A KiwiRail worker’s near-fatal 10-metre fall has prompted WorkSafe to warn businesses that new equipment needs fresh risk checks and safer methods.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Mon, 8th Dec 2025
AI-4U offers barrier-free mental health support for workers
Artificial Intelligence

AI-4U offers barrier-free mental health support for workers

WellbeingSolutions' AI-4U offers SMS-based mental health support to help UK, NZ, and Australian firms meet new 2025 psychosocial risk regulations.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025
When AI meets the open road: why boards must rethink risk governance
Risk & Compliance

When AI meets the open road: why boards must rethink risk governance

Boards must rethink risk governance as AI aids fleet safety, combining vehicle tech and driver behaviour in a hybrid world of semi-autonomous and human drivers.

By Craig Cockerton • 3 min read • Sat, 22nd Nov 2025
Good practice guide for asbestos surveys
Health and Safety

Good practice guide for asbestos surveys

Buildings erected before 2000 are most at risk, as WorkSafe's new guide aims to help surveyors spot asbestos and prevent unsafe exposure.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Tue, 12th Aug 2025
Councils urged to keep up with cones
Auckland Transport

Councils urged to keep up with cones

Councils risk scrutiny from WorkSafe as inspectors and NZTA push a more risk-based traffic management approach to cut excessive road cones.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Thu, 7th Aug 2025
Survivors recount toxic gas ordeal
New Zealand law

Survivors recount toxic gas ordeal

Two workers have described flashbacks, burns and lasting trauma after being overcome by hydrogen sulphide at a Greymouth waste site.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Wed, 23rd Jul 2025
$800k in penalties over conveyor belt deaths
Ballance Agri-Nutrients

$800k in penalties over conveyor belt deaths

WorkSafe says manufacturing firms face sharper scrutiny after courts imposed more than NZD $800,000 in fines for preventable conveyor belt deaths.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 8th Jul 2025
Agriculture sector ‘needs to up its game’
Agricultural Technology

Agriculture sector ‘needs to up its game’

WorkSafe says a preventable quad bike rollover that killed a Tararua farmhand should spur stronger safety checks across agriculture.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 9th Jun 2025
Worker’s fall off wet roof costs employer $100k
New Zealand law

Worker’s fall off wet roof costs employer $100k

A Wellington cleaning firm faces a six-figure bill after a worker’s six-metre fall left him with a traumatic brain injury and broken bones.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 6th May 2025
Two workplace fatalities on farms over Easter
Agricultural Technology

Two workplace fatalities on farms over Easter

Farm vehicle crashes remain a major killer in New Zealand agriculture, after WorkSafe said two farmers died using vehicles over Easter.

By Michael Curreen • 9 min read • Wed, 23rd Apr 2025
On-the-ground observations could have prevented conveyor belt death
Ballance Agri-Nutrients

On-the-ground observations could have prevented conveyor belt death

WorkSafe says closer emergency stops and guarded rollers could have prevented the fatal crush, after a worker died cleaning a live conveyor.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 8th Apr 2025
The health and safety reforms you may have missed
Management

The health and safety reforms you may have missed

Small firms could be exempted from some health and safety rules as the Government shifts WorkSafe towards critical risk and lower compliance costs.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 1st Apr 2025

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