Strengthening health and safety in the fencing industry

FCANZ

Oct 7

3 min read

Health and safety is a foundational pillar of any successful fencing business. Across New Zealand, fencing contractors operate in environments that present a unique mix of critical risks, including working with machinery and vehicles, navigating uneven terrain, and operating around livestock and remote job sites.

With the recent changes introduced through the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026, now is a great time for you to review your health and safety practices and ensure they remain fit for purpose. A well-structured health and safety framework not only helps reduce the likelihood of incidents but can help protect against reputational damage and increased insurance and legal costs.

One of the key changes in the amended legislation is a stronger focus on managing critical risks, particularly for small businesses. This means businesses need to be able to identify the activities that present the greatest potential for serious harm and demonstrate that appropriate controls are in place.

While the reforms aim to simplify compliance requirements in some areas, clear responsibilities remain in place for business owners, directors and senior leaders to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their people.

For fencing contractors, taking a practical, risk-focused approach to health and safety will not only help you meet legal obligations but can also improve your operational efficiency and reduce downtime if something goes wrong.

Introducing Gallagher s health and safety team

Managing health and safety can be challenging, so having access to specialist advice and practical tools can make it easier to develop processes that are both effective and easy to implement.

Gallagher's dedicated Health and Safety team works alongside your existing insurance broker to take a proactive approach to risk management. This complementary approach ensures you are not only protected from a risk financing perspective but are also actively managing and reducing risk at its source.

With experience across a range of industries, Gallagher s specialists help businesses design, implement and continuously improve their health and safety systems. They focus on ensuring policies, procedures and processes are compliant with regulatory standards while also being efficient, fit for purpose and embedded in everyday operations.

Who can benefit?

Regardless of your business size, the objective is the same safer workplaces, stronger systems and reduced risk exposure.

Gallagher's team can provide access to tools, guidance and ongoing support to ensure you are meeting workplace safety requirements. They can also provide insights and assurance needed to support governance and demonstrate compliance at a leadership level.

Comprehensive health and safety solutions

Gallagher offers a range of services designed to support the different needs of fencing contractors, including:

Health and safety system reviews and framework development to ensure processes align with current best practice
Online health and safety management systems for managing hazards, incidents, training requirements and compliance obligations
Benchmarking and performance assessments to identify strengths, gaps and opportunities for improvement
Incident management support, including guidance on reporting, investigation and corrective actions
Contractor management processes to help ensure subcontractors meet required safety standards

In addition, ongoing advisory support can include scheduled audits, system reviews and secondment arrangements. This provides access to experienced health and safety professionals without the cost of employing a full-time resource.

Driving safer workplaces

Effective health and safety systems do more than meet compliance requirements. They can drive operational efficiency and support a culture where safety is part of everyday practice. For fencing contractors, this can mean fewer disruptions, improved project outcomes and greater confidence among clients and contractors.

By partnering with Gallagher, businesses can take a proactive approach to managing risk, closing gaps before they become issues and strengthening systems as they grow.

Investing in health and safety is ultimately an investment in your people, your reputation and the long-term success of your business.

For more information on how Gallagher can support your business, contact fcanz@ajg.co.nz or 0800 866 766.

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

Read WIRED online