Employer Bulletin | 4 August

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting with manufacturers to help businesses focus on managing genuine risks rather than navigating red tape.

“We’re simplifying machine guarding rules and reviewing exposure standards to reduce complexity and improve consistency in the manufacturing sector,” says Ms van Velden.

The proposed changes aim to ensure standards reflect real-world risks and align with international benchmarks. Manufacturers have said that the current rules are unclear and difficult to apply. 

“We will be consulting on replacing the requirements with a more flexible, risk-based approach. WorkSafe guidance will continue to support businesses in applying appropriate controls.

The Workplace Exposure Standards for soft wood dust, hard wood dust, and welding fumes will be reviewed, with an aim to improve clarity and better align with international standards.

“Businesses expressed frustration that the wood dust standard is impractical and not based on realistic risk assessments. They want a system that is both protective and practical, and these changes aim to provide that.”

WorkSafe will also look at updating the Workplace Exposure Standard for flour dust, which is designed to minimise the risk of respiratory problems.

“The review will consider international benchmarks and feasibility considerations, such as measurability,” says David Seymour. This review will be undertaken in consultation with those in the manufacturing sector over the coming months.

In today’s Bulletin:

• Importance of following abandonment processes
• Authority straightens out errors in parental leave payment decision
• Employee with messy fixed-term paperwork is granted interim reinstatement
• Fair process paramount in handling inability to perform work
• Nine news updates of interest for employers including: Overseas products to make it cheaper to build; Building Code pause brings certainty to construction; Clearer rules and prequalification guidance to support construction; Practical safety changes coming for family farms; Farmer confidence at eight-year high, but still more to do!; Regulatory relief for manufacturing sector; Employment indicators: June 2025; Ambitious course set for NZ’s geothermal potential.
• Nine bills open for submission

If you have any questions, about this case or other employment relation matters, call the Advice Line team on 0800 800 362.