NZ Govt to Simplify Safety Rules for Manufacturers to Cut Red Tape

New Zealand’s manufacturing sector is on the brink of significant regulatory reform, as Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden leads a push to streamline health and safety rules that have long been labelled confusing and burdensome. The initiative, backed by consultation with a wide array of manufacturers—from wood processors and food producers to bakers and millers—is designed to refocus business compliance efforts on managing real safety risks rather than wrestling with ambiguous regulations.

“We’re simplifying machine guarding rules and reviewing exposure standards to reduce complexity and improve consistency in the manufacturing sector,” said Minister van Velden during a national roadshow.

The move comes in response to widespread feedback that existing laws—particularly around machine guarding and exposure to airborne contaminants—are riddled with inconsistencies, outdated guidance, and contradictory enforcement.

Confusion and Cost Burdens Spark Reform

Manufacturers have reported that unclear laws and contradictory interpretations from WorkSafe inspectors are adding both cost and confusion. One business owner recounted receiving completely different compliance feedback on the same machinery in Auckland and Christchurch. “During my nationwide consultation and roadshow, businesses described the law as full of grey areas,” van Velden said. “We’re acting on that feedback.”

Among the most significant changes is a simplification of machine guarding rules under the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations. Currently, the rules are so outdated that, in some cases, they are believed to directly conflict with modern food safety cleaning practices. A more flexible, risk-based approach will replace the rigid existing standards, enabling businesses to make appropriate safety decisions without fear of violating contradictory requirements.

WorkSafe will maintain its role in providing guidance, but with a clearer, more modern framework.

A Sector-Wide Impact Beyond Manufacturing

While the focus has been on manufacturing, the updated rules are expected to benefit a broad spectrum of sectors that rely on machinery—including agriculture, horticulture, construction, and food production. The government aims to eliminate grey areas and allow businesses to safely utilize a broader range of equipment without compromising safety.

“Feedback on machine guarding has highlighted the need for greater consistency when using machinery. These changes will enable businesses to use a wider range of tools while applying updated safety measures to keep their staff safe,” said van Velden.

Exposure Standards to be Aligned with International Benchmarks

Another cornerstone of the reform is a review of the Workplace Exposure Standards for materials such as wood dust, welding fumes, and flour dust. Businesses, particularly in the wood processing and baking industries, have long argued that current exposure standards are not only unclear and overly rigid but also not reflective of real-world operational conditions or international norms.

A softwood miller reportedly described the standards as “an overreaction to risk which will cripple the industry.” Wood processors in particular say that the dust standards are so impractical they could hinder industry growth without actually improving safety outcomes.

Flour dust exposure standards have also come under intense scrutiny from commercial bakers. According to David Seymour, Minister for Regulation, one major bakery chain has invested millions in air conditioning, industrial vacuums, and enhanced cleaning systems in a bid to comply, but still struggles to meet the threshold. “These costs eventually flow down to prices at the checkout,” Seymour said, highlighting how overregulation can impact everyday consumers.

The review will weigh international standards and practical measurability to ensure the rules are both protective and feasible.

Cutting Red Tape While Prioritizing Safety

The overarching goal of the reform is to remove unnecessary regulatory hurdles while maintaining, and in some cases improving, workplace safety. Minister van Velden emphasized that updated regulations would not compromise safety, but instead enable businesses to comply with rules that are clearer, more aligned with real risks, and less costly to implement.

“These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut red tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders,” she said.

The government will continue consultations with affected industries over the coming months to ensure that the reforms are practical and effective. This effort signals a broader shift toward a more pragmatic, less bureaucratic approach to workplace regulation in New Zealand.