Two new draft codes of practice in agriculture

We are developing two draft codes of practice in agriculture. They will set out expectations under HSWA, helping businesses reduce harm and confidently meet their legal duties.

Electrical and gas codes of practice

Learn more about electricity and gas codes of practice.

Gas codes of practice

Lists the only current Gas Code of Practice cited in the Regulations.

Electrical codes of practice

Electrical Codes of Practice set the standards and requirements for those involved in working with electricity and any electrical installations or appliances

HSNO codes of practice for hazardous substances

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

Industry guidance and position statements

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

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.

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.

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.

Mobile elevating work platforms

This good practice guideline outlines requirements when working with mobile elevating work platforms.

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.

Extractives

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.

Consultation policy

This consultation policy sets out the principles of WorkSafe in relation to written consultation.

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.

Tank wagons

A tank wagon is a vehicle used to transport liquid or gaseous hazardous substances by road or rail. Tank wagons have a tank that is permanently fixed to the vehicle or a tank attached to a trailer.

Agriculture

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.

Guidance

Find a practical guide to working with hazardous substances, as well as industry and substance specific guidance.

Referring to standards in regulation and guidance

This policy describes our approach to referring to standards in guidance and regulation, what to consider when providing advice about incorporating a standard by reference and accessibility and quality requirements.

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.

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.

Development of a work-related musculoskeletal disorders codes and conditions list

The codes and conditions list was developed to support WorkSafe with the classification of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Our report outlines how we did this.

Safe use of machinery

These guidelines outline the hazards that come with using machinery in the workplace, potential injuries and how best to control these hazards

Safe stacking of sawn timber and board materials

This guidance contains practical advice for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). It is for PCBUs such as timber manufacturers, mills or yards, and other PCBUs who stack sawn timber or board materials.

Working at height in New Zealand

Good practice guide providing practical guidance to employers, contractors, workers and all others engaged in work associated with working at height

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.

Adventure and outdoor recreation activities – managing the risks from natural hazards

Guidance for adventure activity operators and outdoor recreation activity providers.

Working on roofs - good practice guidelines

This good practice guide will provide practical guidance to employers, contractors, employees and all others engaged in work associated with working on roofs.

Working safely with chemicals and fuels on farms

This good practice guideline helps farmers comply with the health, safety and environmental laws for chemicals and fuels.

Guidance for commercial white water rafting operators

These guidelines offer advice on keeping workers and participants safe while white water rafting.

Electrical safety for low voltage electrical installations in imported buildings

This guide provides information on what must be done to make sure imported buildings are electrically safe before they are connected to an electricity supply in New Zealand.

WorkSafe Strategy

The WorkSafe strategy defines the wider health and safety at work system and reflects our role in the system, how we will undertake that role, where we will focus our effort, and how we will measure our impact.

Introduction to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 – special guide

A guide to New Zealand’s key work health and safety law and its regulator.

New draft code of practice for roles and responsibilities in residential construction

We are developing a draft code of practice for residential construction. It will set out expectations under HSWA, helping businesses reduce harm and confidently meet their legal duties.

Approved code of practice: Safe practice for forestry and harvesting operations

This approved code of practice (ACOP) is for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) involved in forestry and harvesting operations.

1.0 About this approved code of practice

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.