Construction Sector Backs Government’s Health & Safety Reforms, Survey Shows

Minister van Velden emphasized that the reform process has been grounded in direct engagement with workers and businesses, not just policy-making from behind a desk in Wellington.

A newly released Site Safe survey has revealed overwhelming support from the construction industry for the New Zealand Government’s ongoing health and safety reforms, prompting strong praise from Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden. The reforms, which are a key component of the ACT-National coalition agreement, are aimed at streamlining health and safety practices, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, and improving practical outcomes in high-risk sectors like construction.

A Reform Driven by Real-World Input

Minister van Velden emphasized that the reform process has been grounded in direct engagement with workers and businesses, not just policy-making from behind a desk in Wellington.

“From the start, I’ve known that delivering on the ACT-National coalition commitment to reform health and safety meant getting out of Wellington and listening to the public,” she said. “I wanted to understand how the current system works for them and what they want to see in this reform that will make their work safer.”

The minister has travelled across the country speaking with construction professionals, small business owners, site managers, and health and safety experts to inform the direction of these reforms. The feedback has now been validated through the Site Safe survey, which indicates that the Government’s focus is in the right place.

Key Findings from the Survey

The Site Safe survey, conducted with professionals across the construction sector, revealed significant support for the reforms. The key statistics include:

• 95% support clearer guidance to support reform efforts

• 95% back a greater use of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs)

• 85% favour a stronger focus on managing critical risks

• 79% want clearer definitions of roles and responsibilities on job sites

• 69% support changes to how enforcement of safety rules works

These results reflect widespread agreement that current processes are overly complex and need to be realigned with practical, outcome-based solutions.

A New Role for Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs)

A major focus of the reforms is enhancing the role of Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs)—official guidelines that help businesses comply with health and safety laws.

“It is not surprising to see such high levels of support for improving guidance and the use of ACOPs,” van Velden noted. “That is why I have asked WorkSafe to prioritise improving its provision of guidance, including around prequalification, so businesses understand when and how they need to work together to manage risks.”

The Government is proposing legislative changes to confirm that compliance with an ACOP will be deemed as fulfilling a business’s health and safety obligations. This provides businesses with greater certainty and allows them to focus their attention on what matters most: mitigating real risks on-site.

Additionally, the process for developing ACOPs will be made more inclusive and efficient. Instead of being solely led by WorkSafe, industry groups and individuals will now be allowed to initiate work on new ACOPs, helping ensure that these guidelines are grounded in industry reality and frontline experience.

Targeted Improvements for Construction

The construction industry is a key focus of this initiative due to its high-risk nature and complex overlapping responsibilities between contractors, subcontractors, and site managers. To address this, WorkSafe has already begun collaborating with industry partners to develop a new ACOP on overlapping duties in construction.

This is expected to provide long-awaited clarity on who is responsible for what, helping prevent gaps or duplication in safety management that could put workers at risk.

Listening First, Reforming Second

Minister van Velden highlighted that the success of the reforms is rooted in a "listening-first" approach, where priorities were shaped not by bureaucracy, but by the real-world experiences of those affected by the current system.

“The industry is asking for clarity and practicality, and that is what I’m delivering,” she said. “These reforms will make it easier for workers and employers to prioritise the right actions to protect them from harm and know where their attention should be to keep themselves and their workmates safe.”

The focus is now on implementation—ensuring that new codes, guidance, and legislative updates are developed swiftly, in partnership with the industry, and communicated clearly to workers and employers.

Building a Safer, Smarter Future

With clear signals from the industry and decisive action from the Government, New Zealand’s health and safety system is on track to become more effective, practical, and responsive to real needs. These reforms aim to build trust, reduce administrative burdens, and most importantly, prevent harm on the job.

The Government is expected to release more details on the next phases of legislative reform and ACOP development in the coming months.