WorkSafe NZ issues warning regarding safety net systems

WorkSafe NZ Issues Warning Regarding Safety Net Systems

WorkSafe NZ has released a safety alert emphasising significant health and safety hazards faced by workers when utilising safety net systems that have not undergone testing by an accredited organisation to meet recognised standards. Any equipment used for fall protection at height must be verified before deployment on site.

Safety net systems get implemented in both residential and commercial construction to mitigate risk of injury if a worker falls from an elevated position. This type of equipment forms a critical layer of protection wherever employees operate at height, and businesses relying on unverified gear may face serious consequences down the line.

Legal Responsibility for Testing Safety Net Equipment

The Health and Safety at Work Act imposes responsibility on importers and suppliers of safety net systems to verify their equipment has undergone testing that confirms performance. Suppliers cannot simply assume overseas paperwork guarantees compliance — verification remains essential before equipment reaches a worksite.

WorkSafe observes testing and accompanying documentation from international organisations can often prove challenging to authenticate, and in certain cases, may be deceptive. This creates real difficulty for anyone attempting to confirm whether height safety equipment meets required benchmarks.

What This Means for Height Safety Equipment Buyers

Purchasers of safety net systems should request clear evidence of testing from a recognised, accredited body before equipment gets installed at height. Relying solely on supplier claims without independent verification leaves gaps that could compromise worker safety.

Key considerations for organisations sourcing height safety equipment include:

• Confirming testing certificates originate from accredited, traceable organisations
• Cross-checking documentation against known industry standards before equipment purchase
• Seeking independent advice where authenticity of testing paperwork remains unclear
• Maintaining records to demonstrate due diligence around equipment used at height

Construction, manufacturing, and healthcare businesses that depend on contractors working at height should treat this alert as a reminder to scrutinise equipment supply chains closely. For further detail on strengthening safety systems, our guide to safety management systems outlines practical steps for embedding verification processes into daily operations.

Organisations wanting a broader framework for compliance can also explore OHS/WHS, quality and environmental management systems designed to support consistent oversight across sites.

Related WorkSafe Alerts

This warning follows a pattern of recent alerts from the regulator addressing equipment and workplace hazards. Readers may also find value in coverage of WorkSafe's silica dust safety warning, along with reporting on WorkSafe NZ's quad bike drive belts safety warning and the NT WorkSafe alert issued after a lithium-ion battery explosion.

Keep reading here.