WorkSafe Consultations, Guidance, Newsletters and Feedback
Where you can find updates for WorkSafe consultations, guidance, newsletters and feedback.
WorkSafe Consultations
You will find a range of health and safety consultations on issues that affect New Zealand workplaces
Whether you‘re a representative from a large company, a self-employed contractor or an interested member of the public, your opinions count.
Your views are important, and we encourage you to have your say.
If you have any queries about the draft guidance or the submission process, please email us at [email protected].
Health and safety at opencast mines, alluvial mines and quarries
WorkSafe are seeking feedback on the updated good practice guidelines for health and safety at opencast mines, alluvial mines and quarries: Health and safety at opencast mines, alluvial mines and quarries | WorkSafe
These guidelines are being updated to reflect the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016, as well as other legislation. The updated guidelines also include minor changes to reflect current industry practices and the wider suite of WorkSafe guidance.
As we know you may have an interest in this area, we would welcome your feedback on the attached updated version of the guide. A form has been attached for you to provide feedback.
All feedback will be collated and while equal consideration will be given to all feedback, there is no guarantee that suggested changes will be actioned.
Deadline for providing feedback
The deadline for receiving submissions is 5pm on Thursday 15 May 2025. Send your completed feedback form to:
[email protected] with the subject line: Health and safety at opencast mines, alluvial mines and quarries GPG feedback
Privacy
The Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) allows New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, or anyone in New Zealand, to request official information from the government – including copies of submissions.
We will let you know if we receive an OIA request for a copy of your submission. The content of your submission may be made available to the public, however you can indicate on the response form whether you would prefer your details to be kept confidential.
We will manage any personal information you supply in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
If you have any questions about the guidance, or the consultation, please get in touch with WorkSafe by email.
Health and Safety at Opencast Mines and Quarries - Consultation Draft
Ngā mihi
Guidance Products
8 Willis Street, PO Box 165, Wellington 6140
W worksafe.govt.nz
Have your say: guidance for asbestos removal
WorkSafe is seeking feedback on a piece of guidance for asbestos removalists.
These guidelines will provide good practice advice for the safe removal of asbestos from buildings and workplaces.
The deadline for receiving submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025.
WorkSafe Newsletters
During the year WorkSafe send out newsletters to keep you informed. You can subscribe to WorkSafe these newsletters to get them directly into your mailbox.
Newsletters:
May 2025 Work-Related Health Newsletter
February 2025 Work-Related Health Newsletter
December 2024 Work-Related Health Newsletter
November 2024 Work-Related Health Newsletter
24 September 2024 Work Related Health Newsletter
5 August 2024 Work Related Health Newsletter
7 May 2024 Work Related Health Newsletter
27 April 2024 Work Related Health Newsletter
12 February Work Related Health Newsletter
WorkSafe Guidance and Feedback
Health & Safety at Work Act presentation - Gordon MacDonald, former Chief Executive, WorkSafe NZ
Keeping Your Service Station Compliant with the Hazardous Substances Regulations quick guide.
As you may know, WorkSafe New Zealand has developed health and safety guidance for unattended refuelling sites.
New guidance is available to help service station operators manage the risks at unattended refuelling sites. It sets out how service station operators can help keep people healthy and safe.
The risks between attended and unattended sites are similar. However, unattended service stations don’t have workers onsite to respond to an emergency. More preventative measures and systems need to be in place.
Good practice guidance is not the law, but it should be followed to keep people safe. All service stations must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
You can read this new guidance on the WorkSafe website here:
We have also updated the Keeping Your Service Station Compliant with the Hazardous Substances Regulations quick guide. It now includes information provided by Fire and Emergency New Zealand about their Emergency Services Information Summary. We've also made the guide easier to follow.
Service station operators are encouraged to use the guidance, and complete the Emergency Services Information Summary for Service Stations. This template gives Fire and Emergency NZ key information about the hazardous substances onsite, helping them respond to any emergencies quickly and safely.
More information can be found here: Keeping your service station compliant with the hazardous substances regulations
We would like to thank all stakeholders who consulted on the new and updated guidance and helped in its development. Please share this guidance, and the updated quick guide, with operators in your network who may find it relevant.
If you have any questions about this guidance, please get in touch by sending us an email.
On behalf of Matt Stewart
Guidance Content Advisor
Guidance Products
8 Willis St, Wellington 6140
E [email protected]
P +64 4 816 9413
W worksafe.govt.nz
Leptospirosis
WorkSafe’s updated leptospirosis guidance is now available
Leptospirosis is the most common work-related infectious disease in New Zealand.
People usually catch leptospirosis from exposure to the urine of infected animals (including farm, domestic and feral animals) or urine-contaminated soil and water. Infection can occur through cuts in the skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth.
Sickness from leptospirosis usually starts with flu-like symptoms, but if not treated quickly can be severe and result in hospitalisation, long-term illness, or even death.
The people most at risk are those who come into close contact with animals and are exposed to their urine, body fluids or flesh, especially in wet environments.
Heavy rain and flooding have been identified as an increasing risk in the spreading of leptospirosis. Last year’s extreme weather events have sadly seen a rise in reported cases in flood-affected regions.
See our updated guidance for practical suggestions to manage the risks to protect people from getting sick.
The guidance is for those working in close contact with animals and anyone visiting rural/farming areas.
• Quick guide on the prevention and control of leptospirosis
• One-page info sheet for those working with animals
• Online learning modules
Updating our leptospirosis guidance is part of our work to bring our guidance up to date and make it more accessible. Updates to the guidance have been made to reflect the Health and Safety at Work Act, ensure technical accuracy, and use plain language.
We have reformatted the guidance into a single document to make it more user-friendly, so you can read all our guidance about leptospirosis in one place. New online learning modules are also available, and we have developed a printable one-page info sheet with key points for workers.
This replaces the previous leptospirosis good practice guide and nine fact sheets that were about specific jobs or animal species.
Thank you to those stakeholders, industry bodies, businesses and workers who provided feedback on the previous version of the guidance to help us improve it.
Read the leptospirosis guidance on the WorkSafe website
Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Ports
The Port Health and Safety Leadership Group and WorkSafe NZ have developed an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for Loading and Unloading Cargo at Ports and on Ships. Recently approved by the relevant ministers, this ACOP will take effect on 29 November 2024.
This ACOP sets baseline safety standards and addresses inconsistencies across the port sector. It is legally recognized under the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) and helps businesses ensure compliance with safety regulations.
For more details, visit the Maritime NZ website or contact [email protected].
Approved code of practice for loading and unloading cargo at ports and on ships