Articles tagged with Safety Compliance
WorkSafe Updates Enforcement Policies to Support Safer Workplaces and Fairer Decisions
22 hours ago | 57 viewsWorkSafe has revised its enforcement policies to provide clearer guidance and faster resolution of safety issues, introducing alternatives like formal warnings and pre-charge enforceable undertakings for businesses that take responsibility and commit to improvements. Prosecution will now focus on serious cases involving significant negligence, repeated non-compliance, or serious harm, aligning with clearer criteria and the Solicitor-General’s Prosecution Guidelines. Training for WorkSafe staff will support consistent application of these changes, enhancing trust and fairness in enforcement decisions.
Tags: Brooke van Velden WorkSafe Workplace Relations and Safety health and safety enforcement policies prosecution guidelines New Zealand workplace safety regulatory enforcement safety complianceNew Tailored Health and Safety Rules to Ease Lab Work Regulations by 2026
1 week ago | 109 viewsHealth and safety regulations for research laboratories are currently impractical and overly restrictive, as they apply the same rules as large industrial hazardous substance operations, leading to increased risks and significant compliance costs estimated between $1.5 billion to $3 billion. The removal of a specialized compliance pathway in 2017 left laboratories bound by unsuitable rules, but the government, led by Minister Brooke van Velden, plans to introduce tailored regulations and an Approved Code of Practice by 2026 to better address the unique risks in laboratory environments. This reform aims to balance safety with practicality, enabling scientists to use their expertise for effective risk management without unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Universities New Zealand Independent Research Association of New Zealand Health and Safety at Work Regulations research laboratories hazardous substances regulatory relief Approved Code of Practice health and safety compliance