WorkSafe New Zealand opens consultation on draft ACOPs for the agricultural industry

WorkSafe New Zealand opens consultation on draft ACOPs for the agricultural industry

WorkSafe New Zealand is seeking feedback on draft material for two approved codes of practice (ACOPs) written for the agricultural industry. Growers, farmers, contractors and rural advisors can read each draft and lodge input through the regulator's website while consultation remains open.

Consultation at a glance

• What is under review: two approved codes covering everyday agricultural operations.
• Who should respond: anyone with an interest in agriculture, including rural employers, workers, contractors and industry bodies.
• Why it matters: ACOPs translate legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 into plain, workable steps.
• How to take part: examine the draft content on the WorkSafe website, then submit comment alongside supporting resources published there.

ACOPs are an established and practical approach for both businesses and employees to fulfil the requirements of that legislation and its supporting regulations.

“Both drafts have been developed with the sector, so they reflect how farms actually operate day to day,” WorkSafe chief executive, Sharon Thompson said.

“However, these are very much working drafts. We want farmers and others in the sector to tell us what makes sense to them, what doesn’t, and what needs to be clearer, particularly when it comes to real-life situations on farms.”

Why rural operators should get involved

Codes shape how inspectors interpret safety expectations on the ground, so early comment carries genuine weight. Clear wording also helps smaller operations build safe work practices without engaging outside consultants.

Consultation of this kind mirrors wider trans-Tasman activity, such as the Safe Work Australia consultation on the draft model Code of Practice for Managing Fatigue.

What effective rural systems look like

Robust safety systems on rural properties combine short written procedures, thorough worker inductions, plant maintenance schedules and ongoing monitoring of worker health. Codes give operators a benchmark to test each element against.

Preparing your submission

Documented systems make submissions sharper. Operators who already maintain a written safety policy suite can compare current controls against each draft clause, then flag gaps or wording that reads poorly in a paddock.

Our health and safety documents for New Zealand businesses include ready-to-edit policy templates, registers and forms aligned with local legislation. A companion HSW Manual for New Zealand gives rural businesses one reference point for site procedures and toolbox talks, while trained safety representatives keep comment flowing from gate to office.

Also worth reviewing: WorkSafe's updated asbestos guidelines covering New Zealand workplaces plus fresh electrical safety guidelines for imported buildings, both showing how regulator expectations continue to evolve.

Anyone with an interest in agriculture is urged to examine the drafts and share views before consultation closes. Additional resources and submission details are available from worksafe.govt.nz.