Scaffolding, Access & Rigging NZ (SARNZ) acknowledges the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety’s announcement on proposed changes to scaffolding regulations, prequalification requirements, and licensing categories.
It is important to recognise that scaffolding regulations exist for a very clear reason – to prevent serious injuries and fatalities on worksites. When these regulations were first introduced, the impact was immediate and significant, with noticeable reductions in harm across the industry. To frame the cost of scaffolding as a driver of building costs oversimplifies the issue and risks undermining the critical role that scaffolding plays in keeping workers safe. Safety cannot be traded for cost-cutting, and any changes must keep this principle front of mind.
“Scaffolding saves lives. Cost-cutting cannot come at the expense of safety. The solution is simple: sign off the Plant & Structures reforms,” says Tina Wieczorek, CEO of SARNZ. “This well-consulted framework already has strong industry support and provides a balanced approach to improving safety and efficiency. If the Minister genuinely wants to address the concerns she has raised, progressing these reforms is the most effective way forward.”
SARNZ supports a sensible review of the regulations to ensure they remain fit for purpose and risk-based, without compromising safety. The Minister’s comments reflect issues that were heavily consulted on across multiple industries as part of the review of plant and structures regulations initiated under the previous Government. We encourage the Minister to revisit the draft regulations developed through that previous work, which remain available for use and could help expedite reforms.
We are particularly pleased to see progress on updating scaffolding licensing categories – a long-overdue step that will better reflect modern industry practices. We are grateful for the Minister’s recognition of these needs and her willingness to work with industry on achieving them.
We also support efforts to bring greater consistency and practicality to prequalification requirements. Many of our members have raised concerns about the costs, duplication, and time pressures of current prequalification systems, and we welcome work to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and aligned with actual risks.
SARNZ has worked closely with the Minister and officials over the past 12 months and will ensure our members are well consulted and represented in any proposed regulatory changes. At the heart of all discussions must remain the safety of workers – a shared priority for industry and Government.
We will keep members informed as consultation opportunities open and will be actively engaging with you to ensure industry voices are heard.
Read the full Minister's announcement here.
Chris Alderson (CEO, Construction Health and Safety New Zealand) shares an insightful look into how New Zealand is doing well compared to other countries in regards to protecting workers from fatalities cause by falling from heights. This article shares statistics and highlights how a focus on safety regulations that are fit for purpose save lives. Read the full article from Chris Alderson here.
