Laws and regulations

Acts

We are responsible for administering legislation that covers a range of topics including health and safety at work, hazardous substances, and electricity and gas.

Regulations

In addition to the Acts, we administer a significant number of regulations related to the management of those Acts within New Zealand

Safe Work Instruments

Safe work instruments are a new type of tool in the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA), and are a type of subordinate instrument (sometimes called tertiary legislation)

Prosecutions

Here you can find out more about our prosecution process, and read court summaries of completed prosecutions since we were established in 2013.

Consultations

Whether you‘re a representative from a large organisation, a self-employed contractor or an interested member of the public, your views are important to us and we encourage you to have your say.

Enforceable undertakings

Enforceable undertakings are voluntary agreements between WorkSafe and a duty holder. They are legally binding and are generally used as an alternative to prosecution.

Gazette notices

Electricity and gas gazette notices that have been formally issued establishing prohibitions, declared articles and other regulatory instruments under the provisions of Acts and Regulations

Operational policy framework

Our operational policies are primarily intended for our own internal use but are published to provide transparency. They state our approach to carrying out our regulatory functions

Standards

Learn more about electricity and gas standards and codes of practice.

Restricted entry intervals for pesticides

Under regulation 13.23 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, we can set restricted entry intervals for a pesticide to protect persons from the toxic effects of a substance.

Signage requirements for vertebrate toxic agents

Under regulation 13.19 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, WorkSafe can specify a period of time for which a PCBU with management or control of work involving a vertebrate toxic agent being applied or laid will must ensure that compliant signage is displayed.