Published by the Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour, P O Box 3705, Wellington.

First published June 2000
2nd Edition July 2003
ISBN 0-477-03631-7
OSH 2420

Foreword

The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is fundamental to the wellbeing of New Zealanders.

It allocates responsibilities for safety and health in the workplace, and in doing so affects most people - whether as employers, the self-employed, employees, volunteers, trainees, contractors, principals, people who control places of work, or those who sell or supply plant.

Duties also extend through regulations to those who control workplaces, or design, manufacture or supply plant or equipment.

This guide provides some detail on how the legislation works, and what it means for people. It is for you if you are an employer, manager, union representative, human resource specialist or anyone else who needs to know how the law applies in a place of work.

This "Blue Guide", as it has become known, was originally produced in printed form in 2000. It summarised a growing body of case law and the "bedding in" of the law in New Zealand workplaces since the legislation was first enacted in April 1993. It is now published in its current electronic form.

Since the first edition, the Government has completed a comprehensive review of the Act and passed the Health and Safety in Employment Amendment Act 2002. These extensive amendments are summarised in this new edition, with cross references to fact sheets outlining various aspects of the amendment as appropriate.

The amendment Act came into force on 5 May 2003. It has not affected the essential scheme of the Act, or this guide, but has provided, in particular, new means of increasing employee involvement, alternative enforcement mechanisms, and addressed some other issues concerning the Act's coverage. As the new provisions themselves "bed in" in New Zealand workplaces, additional information will be added to this guide.

Bob Hill
General Manager
Occupational Safety and Health Service
July 2003