Health and Safety shake-up

New health and safety reforms could significantly change how many small trade businesses manage workplace risks, but there is now more time to prepare.

The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill passed through Parliament on 1 July 2026 and received Royal Assent on 9 July 2026. Changes take effect 1 April 2027, giving businesses, workers and industry groups extra time to adjust.

The reforms are intended to refocus New Zealand s health and safety system on what the Government describes as critical risks : the hazards most likely to cause death, serious injury or serious illness.

For many trades businesses, particularly smaller operators, that could mean a different approach to compliance.

What is changing?

The biggest change is the introduction of separate expectations for small and large businesses.

Under the new framework, businesses employing fewer than 20 workers (for at least nine months of a financial year) will generally be expected to focus their health and safety systems on identifying and managing critical risks first. These are the dangers that have the potential to cause the most serious harm. The Government says the goal is to reduce unnecessary paperwork and compliance costs while keeping attention on the risks that matter most.

Larger businesses, those with 20 or more workers, must manage both critical and other risks, although they will also be required to prioritise critical risks within their existing systems.

Other changes include updates to Approved Codes of Practice, regulator functions, notification requirements, and some landowner and officer duties.

What does it mean for Tradies?

For many contractors, fencing companies, builders, landscapers and other small trade businesses, the reforms are designed to simplify compliance requirements.

That does not mean health and safety obligations disappear.

Small businesses will still have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. However, the emphasis will be on ensuring the biggest risks are identified, monitored and controlled before spending time and resources on lower-level hazards.

Think of activities such as working at height, excavation work, heavy machinery operation, vehicle movements, confined spaces, electrical hazards and other situations where the consequences of something going wrong can be severe.

The message from the reforms is clear: focus first on the hazards that can seriously hurt or kill someone.

A divisive reform

The legislation generated considerable debate during its journey through Parliament.

Supporters argued the changes would create a more practical system, helping businesses direct their efforts toward managing serious risks rather than getting bogged down in administration.

Critics, including unions and some health and safety professionals, argued the reforms could create uncertainty and potentially weaken workplace protections by introducing different requirements for small and large businesses.

Several proposed amendments were put forward during the final parliamentary debates, including changes to the definition of a small business and the concept of critical risk. None were successful.

What businesses should do now

Although the deadline is still some months away, businesses would be wise to start preparing.

Key areas to review include:

• Current risk registers and hazard management systems

• Workforce numbers and whether your business falls under the 20-worker threshold

• Contractor management processes

• Training and supervision arrangements

• Personal protective equipment requirements

• Governance and reporting systems

Businesses with seasonal staffing arrangements should pay particular attention. Those whose workforce regularly fluctuates around the 20-worker threshold may need to assess which requirements apply to them at different times.

The key takeaway

The new rules are not about doing less health and safety. They are about doing it differently.

From 1 April 2027, the focus will increasingly be on managing the risks most likely to cause serious harm. For trade businesses, that means ensuring the hazards with the highest consequences remain front and centre.

The extra lead time provides a valuable opportunity to review systems, update procedures and make sure the business is ready before the reforms take effect.

For now, the key message is simple: understand the changes, identify your critical risks, and start planning ahead.

Published in WIRED issue 82/September 2026 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ

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