New Zealand launches health and safety code for residential construction

New Zealand Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has launched a new Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) designed to guide health and safety protocols on residential construction sites. The code, titled ‘Identifying health and safety roles and responsibilities on a residential construction site’, aims to clarify the duties of clients, principal contractors, subcontractors, and workers.

The ACOP is intended to address challenges in environments where multiple businesses and trades operate simultaneously. By providing role-based information, flowcharts, and real-life examples, the code helps ensure that risks are identified and managed through consultation and coordination. WorkSafe New Zealand Chief Executive Sharon Thompson noted that the document does not create new duties but rather clarifies existing ones to prevent risks from falling through gaps.

The new guidelines are set to come into effect on 1 April 2027, aligning with legislative amendments to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA). The New Zealand Certified Builders Association has welcomed the move, stating it provides a pragmatic balance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by making compliance requirements practical and achievable.