Preventing sulphur fires and explosions

The purpose of this code of practice is to establish reasonable protection requirements to eliminate or reduce the hazards of explosion and fire inherent in the processing and handling of sulphur.

HSNO codes of practice for hazardous substances

Codes of practice approved under the HSNO Act continue to provide useful information.

Consultation: ACOP Identifying H&S roles and responsibilities on a residential construction site

1.0 About this approved code of practice

Health and safety in the arboriculture industry

This guide is primarily aimed at the arboriculture industry. It provides guidance on how to safely climb, prune, trim, maintain and remove trees, cut brush and for using equipment. It does not provide advice on electrical hazards

Paint, printing inks and resins

Manufacturing paints and inks can have long-term effects on the health of people working in the industry. Precautions need to be taken with the range of solvents and chemical additives used in the manufacture of paints, printing inks and resins.

Acknowledgements, notice of approval, and foreword

Safety and health in arboriculture

This guide is primarily aimed at the arboriculture industry. It provides guidance on how to safely climb, prune, trim, maintain and remove trees, cut brush and for using equipment. It does not provide advice on electrical hazards.

Tree work by rivers and streams

Guidance on general safety rules for tree work by rivers and streams

Woodlot harvesting on farms

This information sheet for farmers on the safe harvesting of woodlot on farms.

Court ordered enforceable undertakings

List of enforceable undertakings that have been ordered by a court.

Tree felling near powerlines in forestry operations

The following guidance is provided for Inspectors who engage with duty holders working near power lines. This could include e.g tree felling operations, operating mobile plant and arboriculture operations.

We have updated our asbestos guidance

With input from industry, WorkSafe has redeveloped and updated our asbestos-related guidance.

Presentations for forestry approved code of practice (ACOP) 2025

WorkSafe held a series of in-person engagement sessions with small forestry businesses to support implementation of the new Approved Code of Practice published in August 2025.

New draft code of practice for residential construction

We are developing draft content for an approved of practice for residential construction.

Two new draft codes of practice in agriculture

We are developing draft content for two approved codes of practice (ACOPs) in agriculture.

Management and removal of asbestos

This Approved Code of Practice sets out WorkSafe New Zealand’s (WorkSafe) expectations about how to comply with asbestos health and safety law, including the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

Management of Pre-2006 Stationary Container Systems up to 60,000 L – Safe Work Instrument 2017

This is the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances—Management of Pre-2006 Stationary Container Systems up to 60,000 L) Safe Work Instrument 2017.

Pipelines - Safe Work Instrument

This is the Health and Safety in Employment (Pipelines - Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance, Suspension, and Abandonment Requirements) Safe Work Instrument 2023.

Laboratories

The Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations apply to laboratories. However, those involved in research and development, teaching and analytical testing have a different set of requirements to laboratories not involved in these areas.

Work-related health

This position sets out our expectations of duty holders in following the work-related health requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.

Air quality in the extractives industry

Dust, fumes, and bacteria can all pose a risk in the extractives industry. Air quality is an important part of a health and safety management plan for all types of mining and tunnelling.

Crane safety for construction site managers and supervisors - fact sheet

As a site manager/supervisor you are responsible for coordinating health and safety on the construction site. This means you need to have an overview of all the activities happening on site. You also need to check that hazards are identified and controlled. This fact sheet provides information about the dangers associated with cranes and the steps to take to monitor crane safety.

Managing work site traffic – Good practice guidelines

This guide provides practical advice on ways to identify and control the health and safety risks associated with work site traffic.

Consultation: ACOP for safe farm vehicle operation

Consultation: ACOP for roles and responsibilities in agriculture

Maintenance of trees around powerlines

This approved code of practice trees describes minimum standards and preferred work practices for work on trees near power lines.

More information and resources for 'Safe practice for forestry and harvesting operations'

The resources and links referred to in Approved code of practice: Safe practice for forestry and harvesting operations are listed on this page.

Industry guidance and position statements

Industry guidance, including approved codes of practice and WorkSafe position statements

Safe use of isocyanates

This approved code of practice covers the safe storage, transport, use, and disposal of isocyanates.

Construction

The construction sector includes the civil, commercial and residential sub-sectors, and specialist trades such as carpentry, plumbing, roofing, and electrical. On this page are resources to help those in the construction sector manage their work health and safety risks.

Agriculture

The agriculture sector covers farming, including livestock farming, horticulture, and related services such as shearing, spraying, fertiliser spreading, and harvesting. On this page are resources to help those in the agriculture sector manage their work health and safety risks.

Forestry

The forestry sector primarily covers forest harvesting in commercial forestry operations. On this page are resources to help those in the forestry sector manage their work health and safety risks.

Getting electrical work done

When you hire an electrician to do work on your home, make sure they are licensed and issue a Certificate of Compliance for their work. While you can do a limited amount of electrical work on your own home, unless you are sufficiently skilled, it is much better to get an electrician to undertake the work.

Doing your own electrical work

There is some electrical work you can do in your own home. However, it is crucial you are appropriately skilled and understand exactly what the work you are carrying out will entail.

Laws and regulations

Find out more about the Acts, Regulations and Standards we are responsible for, our prosecutions, policies and any open consultations we have so you can have your say.

Safe use of safety nets

A fall from a height is likely to result in a serious injury. By installing safety nets below a high-level work area, there is less likelihood that the person will be injured if they fall.