Health and Safety at Work Act 2015: New Regulations out now

Regulations to help you understand what you need to do to meet your duties under the new Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) are out now.  These regulations will come into force on 4 April 2016, along with the HSWA. These include regulations applicable to all businesses as well as others focused on a particular activity, risk, hazard, or on the operation of an industry. The regulations cover the following;

  • General Risk and Workplace Management: These regulations apply to all workplaces in New Zealand.  They prescribe what must be done in specific circumstances to meet the duties under the new law.
  • Worker Engagement, Participation and Representation: These will help businesses meet their duties of worker participation under HSWA.  All workplaces need to have effective worker engagement, participation and representations practices under HSWA.
  • Asbestos: These regulations aim to help tackle the serious health risks posed by poorly managed asbestos.  The asbestos regulations outline requirements for the safe management and work with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, including demolition and removal.
  • Adventure Activities : These regulations aim to improve safety, reduce harm and ensure consistent good practice across the adventure activity sector.  From 4 April these regulations will revoke and replace the Health and Safety in Employment (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2011.
  • Major Hazard Facilities: These regulations place safety management obligations on operators or particular facilities.  Facilities subject to these regulations are those with the potential to cause a catastrophic event, and focus on matters for process safety.
  • Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations:  These regulations detail the requirements that must be followed including competency requirements in relation to safety-critical roles in mining operations, quarrying operations, and alluvial mining operations.
  • Petroleum Exploration and Extraction: These regulations provide a framework that aim to ensure the safety of petroleum operations such as the extraction, transportation, treatment or processing of petroleum or gas; any well drilling installation; the construction, maintenance, and operation of any structures, or land improvements connected with petroleum operations.
  • Rates of Levy Funding: Regulations prescribing the levy required to be paid by employers and self-employed people under section 201 or the HSWA. 

More regulations in the pipeline

• Regulations specifying infringement offences and fees will be finalised shortly.
• The regulations for work involving hazardous substances are currently being consulted on and will be finalised later this year.
• Regulations to support the power in the new Act for the regulator to grant exemptions from regulatory requirements (clause 228A) will be developed this year.
• Phase two regulations will be developed over the next two years.

You can sign up for HSWA updates through the subscription page and visit the dedicated HSWA information to make sure your kept up-to-date.

Article Courtesy of WorkSafe New Zealand

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