570,000 workers across New Zealand’s retail and its supply chain rely on the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA). We need to make sure it protects them.
ShopCare has submitted to the Select Committee reviewing the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill amendments.
While the intent is to provide clarity, we don’t believe the Bill in its current form, achieves that outcome.
Our submission focuses on four key concerns:
- The bill does not increase certainty for business
The “critical risk” threshold adds complexity and creates gaps for common workplace risks, especially for small PCBUs. - Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs)
Shifting ACOPs to “deemed compliance” risks turning guidance into regulation without proper scrutiny. - Education over enforcement
Education must sit alongside strong enforcement. One does not work without the other. - Compliance with other laws
Treating this as automatic HSWA compliance creates real challenges, particularly in transport.
We have also raised additional concerns, including limited consultation, untested impacts on costs and injuries, and alignment with international obligations.