Minister Brooke van Velden announced a clarification in health safety responsibilities.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has proposed changes to clarify governance and operational management health and safety responsibilities, responding to director concerns about overcompliance. This move aims to reform New Zealand's health and safety laws as agreed upon by the ACT-National Coalition Agreement.
During public consultation and health and safety law roadshows, Minister van Velden heard from business owners and directors that they were unclear about their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Many felt overcompliant, with directors and management duplicating work. To address this issue, Minister van Velden announced a legislative change to specify that day-to-day health and safety risk management is the responsibility of managers.
This change is part of wider health and safety system reform, set to be progressed through legislation later this year. The goal is to enhance health and safety governance effectiveness and outcomes within the system. Minister van Velden plans to return to Cabinet to seek agreement on the specific details of the proposed change.