{"id":4178,"date":"2026-07-14T03:34:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T03:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hazardco.com\/nz\/?p=4178"},"modified":"2026-07-14T03:34:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T03:34:06","slug":"health-safety-work-amendment-act-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hazardco.com\/nz\/blog\/health-safety-work-amendment-act-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"NZ health and safety law is changing, here’s what it means for your business"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Government has passed the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Act 2026. The changes kick in on 1 April 2027, so you’ve got time to get sorted, but it’s worth understanding what’s coming now.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The big change: critical risk is now a legal term<\/b><\/h3>\n

Under the current law, PCBUs (that’s you, anyone running a business or trade) have to manage all health and safety risks from their work. That’s still true. But from 1 April 2027, the law formally defines a category called <\/span>critical risk<\/b> and legally requires businesses to prioritise these hazards first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A critical risk is any hazard that could kill someone or cause serious harm, these include working at height, asbestos, excavation, mobile plant, powder-actuated tools, and hazardous substances. These are the non-negotiables.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have fewer than 20 workers,<\/b> which covers most tradies and small contractors, the new law says you are only required to manage critical risks under your core H&S duties. You still need to manage other risks sensibly, but the legal focus is on critical risk<\/span><\/p>\n

What this means practically:<\/b><\/p>\n