New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice

Embedding Safety in Design (SiD) within Construction Contract Law: Challenges and Opportunities for Improved Safety Outcomes

Nicola Knobel — 2025-04-27

This paper explores the integration of Safety in Design (SiD) into construction contract law, with a focus on improving safety outcomes and risk management across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. By examining case studies and legislation such as New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) 2015, this research identifies the challenges and opportunities in embedding SiD principles within construction contracts. Key challenges include regulatory vagueness, liability concerns, and economic barriers, while opportunities lie in proactive risk management, collaboration, and the use of emerging technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM). The paper offers recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enforce SiD through construction contracts, and enhance safety collaboration. The findings highlight the transformative potential of SiD in shifting safety management from reactive measures to proactive risk mitigation in the design phase, aiming to improve safety and minimise legal disputes in the construction industry.

Workplace Guidance for Earthquake Preparedness and Injury Prevention in Aotearoa-New Zealand: A Document Analysis

Aiggan Kitila — 2025-04-27

Abstract

Introduction: Strong earthquakes pose significant risks of fatal and non-fatal injury to populations in affected areas, including workers and workplace bystanders. Under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA 2015), persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must manage risks to health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. To support PCBUs in meeting this obligation, guidance documents have been developed to outline the hazards arising from earthquakes and recommend strategies for controlling the injury risks. The extent to which these resources align with the HSWA 2015, however, remains unclear. This study aimed to analyse currently available workplace earthquake safety guidance documents in New Zealand to evaluate their content and assess their alignment with the HSWA 2015.

Methods: Seventeen guidance documents were identified through targeted searches of 25 organisational websites, Google.nz, and consultations with Occupational Health and Safety Associations. Thematic analysis was conducted to explore key themes within the documents. The findings were then analysed using the Hierarchy of Controls nd the Haddon Matrix framework to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement in current guidance.

Findings: Six key guidance areas were identified: (1) hazard identification, (2) risk reduction actions, (3) contingency planning, (4) technology integration, (5) training, and (6) communication and coordination. Guidance on administrative controls (e.g., emergency plans) were included in all documents. In contrast, guidance on higher-order controls were less common, with engineering controls (e.g., structural retrofits) in 82% (n=14) and isolation measures (e.g., restricting access to earthquake prone buildings) in only 12% (n=2). Further analysis using the Haddon Matrix showed that pre-earthquake actions were covered in all documents, but post-earthquake actions were less comprehensively addressed (59%, n=10).

Conclusions: Future guidance could be improved by prioritising higher-order controls; providing detailed recommendations for post-earthquake response and recovery; and developing tailored resources for a wider range of work settings. Together, these improvements could help better align workplace earthquake safety practices with the requirements of the HSWA 2015.

Keywords: Earthquake preparedness, workplace safety, Injury prevention, Hierarchy of Controls, Haddon Matrix

Preventing Occupational Noise-Induced Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review of Effective Interventions and Best Practices

Moazzam Zaidi — 2025-04-27

Introduction: Noise is a common workplace hazard that can seriously affect worker health, including causing occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL). Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, workplaces in New Zealand must take all reasonably practicable steps to manage this risk. This systematic review aims to identify evidence-based interventions to prevent occupational-induced hearing loss, with a focus on guiding workplaces in adopting the most effective measures.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to synthesise evidence from studies published between 2000 and 2024. Relevant literature was identified through a PubMed/MEDLINE database search using a combination of keywords and terms related to occupational noise, hearing loss, interventions, and best practices.

Results: The review identified several effective strategies to minimise the risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss, including purchasing quieter machinery, insulating noisy equipment, and improving workplace practices such as regular hearing tests, employee training, and awareness programmes. Additionally, the use of hearing protection devices was recommended to address residual noise exposure.

Keywords: Occupational noise; Hearing loss; Best practices; Intervention; Systematic review

Optimising machining parameters to minimize occupational noise exposure

Gregoire MBANGU TAMBWE — 2025-04-27

Need - Metal removal processes are generally optimised to maximise productivity, not minimise noise which is an occupational health risk. There is a need to represent noise in production simulations and minimise it. Approach - This is addressed by developing a systems dynamics model was developed for machining, including a regression equation for noise, which may be optimised. The benefit of using a regression approach is that it allows a quantification of the complex dependency between noise and process parameters. The benefit of constructing a simulation model is that it provides the tools to optimise noise exposure: i.e. change machine process parameters to reduce noise. This is challenging to do because generally cutting slower or making less deep cuts will reduce noise, but at the cost of worsening the productivity metrics. Results - For the optimised process parameters, the predicted daily equivalent noise dose was 0.72 dBA, compared to 5.73 dBA for the unoptimised processes. Results show the feasibility of the method, and the ability to reduce noise exposure while not adversely affecting production time. Contribution – A joint optimisation process parameters to maximise productivity and minimise noise has otherwise not been shown in the literature. The overall here is piloting a practical methodology for the reduction of noise in a manufacturing environment. This can then be included in a simulation, to calculate occupational noise exposure dose for the multiple machining tasks that make up a realistic production sequence. The model simultaneously optimises both noise and productivity.

A Call to End the Dilution of International Workers’ Memorial Day

Philip McAleenan — 2025-04-27

(we have not submited an asbract for this refectlive essay)

Workers’ Memorial Day, an International Trade Union Movement

Cory Bourne — 2025-04-27

Each year on the 28^th of April, trade unions around the world observe Workers’ Memorial Day to commemorate those who have been killed or injured by their work.

Workers’ Memorial Day is also a call to action to continue fighting to implement, protect and improve the laws, regulations and systems that keep workplaces safe and healthy.

Unions globally will be holding events, launching campaigns, and organising activities under the banner of “mourn for the dead, fight for the living”.

How the District Court has applied the principles of due diligence – and what this means for senior leaders

Francois Barton — 2025-04-27

Many senior leaders know all too well the duty of due diligence – be that in a financial or legal context.

When it comes to health and safety, however, the duty of due diligence has until now been largely untested. Since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) CEOs, senior leaders and Directors have been aware of the new duties placed on them as individuals, but with a lack of case law or precedent that awareness or focus may have drifted.

Case review: Maritime New Zealand v A Gibson

Joseph Lill — 2025-04-27

The criminal prosecution of Anthony Gibson, the former CEO of Port of Auckland Limited (POAL), involved various allegations of breaches of the due diligence obligation under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) with the charge being proven in the District Court. The case involved leading experts who commented on deficiencies in the health and safety system which ultimately contributed to Mr Gibson being found guilty.

Submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on the discussion document ‘work with engineered stone and materials containing crystalline silica'

Jeff Sissons — 2025-04-27

This submission has been written by NZISM and CHASNZ with input from senior health and safety practitioners and occupational physicians. It outlines the background, discusses the problems with the status quo, and sets out our recommendations for change.

From the Editor, April 2025

Christopher Peace — 2025-04-27

Welcome to volume 2, edition 1 of the New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice. I make no apologies for this lengthy editorial. There is much to comment on and good articles to read. Our logo represents a kete – a basket – and this edition is another basket of knowledge.

A reflection and the future of health and safety in New Zealand

Robyn Bennett — 2025-04-27

As we publish volume 2, edition 1 of the New Zealand Journal of Health and Safety Practice, it is an opportune moment to reflect on our journey and consider the future of our profession. The field of health and safety in New Zealand has seen significant advancements, driven by the most part through initiatives from the professions and the enthusiasm and passion of the health and safety community. It is important then that we celebrate our achievements, acknowledge the challenges, and envision the path ahead.