All WorkSafe inspectors upskilled on machine safety

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says all WorkSafe New Zealand inspectors have completed updated machine safety training, strengthening how machinery risk is assessed and managed in New Zealand.

This updated training programme was introduced in response to a direction by Minister van Velden that WorkSafe incorporate feedback from manufacturing businesses.

“During my 2024 roadshows and through targeted consultation in 2025, I heard concerns from businesses about the quality of WorkSafe assessments, particularly when it comes to machine guarding. Issues were raised about a lack of clarity in improvement notices, impractical advice that doesn’t improve safety, and inadequate sector specific expertise,” says Minister van Velden.

“People want inspectors to give clear, practical guidance focused on managing real risks. These changes mean businesses can expect more consistent, high‑quality assessments regardless of the inspector or region, as inspectors develop stronger machine safety knowledge from the outset.”

In this year’s training the current cohort of trainee inspectors attended a one-day workshop at Burnham Military Camp where they participated in an in-depth exploration into machine safety. Other sites, with the right equipment and machinery, may be used in future training sessions.

“Manufacturing remains a high-risk sector, which is why I am pleased WorkSafe is meeting my expectation to raise its inspector capability to provide practical, workable advice to keep workers safe.

“With stronger technical grounding in machine safety, inspectors can issue specific, remedial actions that clearly identify the risk and the required change. This directly addresses stakeholder feedback that past notices were too generic and sometimes drove costly changes with limited safety benefit, and will help to protect workers and improve confidence in the system.” ...