Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has unveiled a major shift in the direction of WorkSafe New Zealand, including the launch of a new “road cone hotline” to tackle over-compliance in temporary traffic management.
The hotline will be backed by a joint engagement programme between WorkSafe, NZTA, and industry stakeholders aimed at promoting a more risk-based and practical approach to temporary traffic management.
The changes are part of a broader overhaul of the agency’s role, shifting it from being primarily an enforcement body to one that focuses more on early engagement and practical support for businesses and workers.
“During my public consultation, I heard many concerns from a wide range of Kiwi businesses and workers about WorkSafe’s inconsistency, culture and lack of guidance,” van Velden says.
“It was a constant theme on the roadshow from all parts of the country.
“I have listened to these concerns and today I am sharpening the focus of WorkSafe to change the culture of the agency. For too long, businesses and employers have asked for more guidance and help from WorkSafe on how to comply with health and safety legislation, only to be told it’s not WorkSafe’s job.
“A culture where the regulator is feared for its punitive actions rather than appreciated for its ability to provide clear and consistent guidance is not conducive to positive outcomes in the workplace,” van Velden says.
Alongside the new tipline, WorkSafe has begun removing outdated or redundant guidance documents from its website—fifty have already been deleted—with plans to update remaining materials to reflect current practice and technology.
“These documents were identified as being no longer relevant, not reflecting current practice and technology, or containing content that is covered by other more up-to-date guidance. Removing and replacing outdated guidance will make it much easier for people to find the help they’re looking for and ensures WorkSafe is giving consistent and clear advice,” she says.
van Velden also announced structural changes to WorkSafe’s budget in a bid to increase transparency and accountability.
“For some time, WorkSafe has struggled to effectively articulate the cost and effectiveness of its activities, making it difficult to monitor and assess the value of activities or the merit of requests for further funding.”
“To address this, I will split WorkSafe’s appropriation into four new categories:
In response, WorkSafe’s appropriation will be divided into four new categories which include:
- Supporting work health and safety practice
- Enforcing work health and safety compliance
- Authorising and monitoring work health and safety activities
- Energy safety
“This change will come into effect later this year and will provide a clear framework that focuses WorkSafe through change in culture and expectations,” van Velden says.
She also announced that the public will soon be able to provide feedback on WorkSafe’s timeliness and effectiveness across inspections, guidance, and engagements.
“I want to make sure that the public receives a better experience in their everyday interactions with WorkSafe. The public will be able to provide feedback on the timeliness and effectiveness of WorkSafe’s guidance, inspections and other engagements. I expect this will promote continuous improvement.”
A formal Letter of Expectations has been issued to the WorkSafe board and leadership team.
The road cone hotline is now live at: worksafe.govt.nz/roadcones.
