These updates are designed to give growers, packers and distributors an overview of the key parts of the Bill as introduced to Parliament, to help them understand some of its key concepts.

The Bill was introduced into Parliament in March 2014. It is currently before Parliament’s Transport and Industrial Relations Committee, which is considering public submissions.

Once the Bill is passed, it will be several months before the new Health and Safety at Work Act comes fully into force in 2015. This will enable the supporting regulations to be made, and WorkSafe to finalise the supporting guidance and approved codes of practice..

The new law will be supported by education and information. WorkSafe is developing a range of guidance material that will be in place in plenty of time to help you through the transition.

WorkSafe NZ says that the move is to help ensure those in business are prepared for when the law comes into effect in 2015. It is part of the Working Safer reform package announced by the Government in 2013.

This first Reform Bill Update covers seven of the ten key principles of the law – click here for more information and it view them in greater detail.

WorkSafe NZ plans to keep interested parties of the Bill informed on when the legislation will come into force in 2015.