NZ Health and Safety Amendment Bill 2026 released
Friday 13 Feb 2026
The Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill (Government Bill
244–1) has just been released. The Bill is yet to go
through its first reading in parliament and, if passed, it goes to a
select committee, where it will be open for public submissions. After
submissions, it's then back to parliament, so a bit of water to go under
the bridge yet and will have to opportunity to have our say.
On the face of it what is being proposed should be of benefit to
Forestry contractors. The newly released Bill aims to
streamline compliance, strengthen focus on preventing serious harm, and
clarify duties. Key changes include:
- A new emphasis on critical risks such as tree felling, machine
interactions, steep‑slope operations, falling objects, and hazardous
energy.
- Small PCBUs (fewer than 20 workers) must fully comply with HSW
duties only for critical risks, while still managing lower‑level risks
appropriately.
- The 2025 Forestry ACOP gains safe‑harbour status, meaning
contractors following it are deemed compliant.
- Officers’ duties are clarified as governance‑level only.
- Notifiable incidents are now more clearly defined.
- Regulators must focus guidance, enforcement, and ACOP development on
critical risks.
Harvesting contractors should update risk systems to reflect critical
risk prioritisation, simplify unnecessary documentation, align fully
with the ACOP, and ensure clear internal understanding of roles and
obligations.
More >>
Source: Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA)
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