February Health & Safety Newsletter
- Angela Morland
- Feb 26
- 4 min read
Welcome to our February Health & Safety Newsletter!
This month, we have important updates to help you stay informed and compliant.
Good news for the building industry - wait times for building determinations have dropped significantly, making it easier to resolve disputes and keep projects moving. We also cover upcoming changes to hazardous substance requirements, with new rules coming into effect from May 2025.
Entries are now open for the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025, recognising businesses and individuals making a real difference in workplace safety. If your organisation has been proactive in health and safety, now’s the time to enter.
Our WorkSafe guidance spotlight highlights the importance of good hygiene in the workplace and how poor practices can lead to the spread of germs and infections. Plus, don’t miss this month’s Toolbox Talks and find out how the SaferMe App can help you manage health and safety more efficiently.
Health & Safety Industry Updates
Stay on top of the latest changes in health and safety regulations and industry news. Here’s what you need to know this month:
Big Improvement in Building Determination Wait Times
Good news for builders - getting a decision on building disputes is now much faster! A year ago, builders were waiting an average of 516 days for a determination from MBIE. Now, that wait time has dropped to just 111 days.
Building determinations help resolve disagreements between builders and councils, ensuring projects can move forward without unnecessary delays. With these improvements, fewer projects will be stuck in limbo, helping more homes get built and reducing frustration in the industry. MBIE is continuing to refine its processes to keep things moving.
Read more here:
Changes to Hazardous Substance Requirements Important updates are coming for businesses that import or manufacture hazardous substances. From 1 May 2025, new packaging, labelling, and safety data sheet requirements will apply to substances such as agrichemicals, timber treatment chemicals, antifouling paints, and parasiticides for large animals. These substances will need updated labels and safety sheets, and some may require different packaging.
Additionally, from 2026, businesses will need to comply with new annual reporting requirements, including providing your New Zealand Business Number and approval numbers for the hazardous substances you handle.
Stay ahead of the changes and ensure your business remains compliant. For full details, visit the Government’s EPA website.
New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025
Entries are now open for the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025, celebrating businesses and individuals who go the extra mile to keep workplaces safe. Organised by Safeguard with support from WorkSafe New Zealand and ACC, these awards recognise outstanding contributions to health, safety, and wellbeing.
If your business has made a positive impact, now is the time to enter!
Entries close on 4 April 2025, with finalists announced on 2 May. Winners will be revealed at the gala dinner on 17 June at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.
Find out more here:
WorkSafe Guidance
This Month's Highlighted Topic
Poor Hygiene, Germs, and Infections
Each month, we highlight a key safety topic based on WorkSafe New Zealand’s latest guidance. This month we are focusing on Poor Hygiene, Germs, and Infections.
Workers can be exposed to germs and infections in many ways, with poor hygiene practices being a key factor in their spread. Infections can be transmitted through airborne particles, direct contact with infected people or bodily fluids, or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces. Without proper precautions, workplaces can become a hotspot for illness, affecting both workers and business operations.
Eliminating risks where possible is the best approach. If that’s not feasible, businesses should implement control measures such as regular cleaning and disinfecting, providing handwashing facilities or sanitisers, enforcing cough etiquette, and ensuring proper ventilation. Supplying PPE like gloves and face masks, encouraging sick workers to stay home, and offering vaccinations can further reduce the spread of infections. Involving workers in identifying risks and implementing hygiene protocols ensures a safer and healthier work environment for everyone.
You can read the full guidance here: https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/health-and-hygiene/poor-hygiene-germs-and-infections/
Toolbox Talks – This Month’s Highlights
We send out fortnightly Toolbox Talks on SaferMe to keep your team informed and engaged with workplace safety. Here’s what we covered this month:
Interested in receiving Toolbox Talks? Contact us to sign up for SaferMe and get our ongoing safety support.
What is the SaferMe App?
The SaferMe App is a simple and effective way to keep all your health and safety manuals and documents in one place. Here’s what it can do for you:
Access Documents Anywhere, Anytime: You can view your health and safety documents wherever you are – in the office, on-site, or at home.
Stay Compliant: Ensure your business stays compliant with health and safety regulations by having easy access to the latest policies and procedures.
Better Communication: Share important health and safety updates instantly with your team.
Track and Report: Easily keep track of incidents and generate reports.
Risk Register & Site Sign in: Easily manage these records in your business.
Looking for Expert Health & Safety Support?
We provide customised health and safety management through our support package. With this, you’ll gain access to SaferMe, where we handle compliance, update your documents, and deliver fortnightly Toolbox Talks to keep your team informed.
Learn more about our SaferMe support packages, including monthly and yearly pricing, in our detailed info document.
Ready to get started? Fill out our signup form today!
Thank you for taking the time to read this month’s newsletter. We hope you find the information useful and relevant to your business. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Until next month, stay safe and take care!
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