Health and Safety

The NZCTU recognises that healthy and safe work is a fundamental right for all workers, and a critical aspect of good work. Research shows that unionised workplaces are safer workplaces.  

Workers are the ones who feel the impact of poor workplace health and safety. In Aotearoa New Zealand, too many workers are hurt on the job due to unsafe working conditions and an inability to speak up on health and safety issues.   

Our work focuses on guaranteeing better protections for workers and strengthening their rights at work. We also support our affiliates to keep workers safe on the job and ensure that workers have a real say on matters that impact their health and safety.  

Find out more below.  

Latest Health & Safety News

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  Unions, educators, and health leaders demand urgent review into asbestos failuresNovember 21, 2025
  More than 45 unions, educators, occupational health and safety experts, academics, and public health organisations have signed an open letter calling on the Prime Minister to establish an urgent review… Read More »Unions, educators, and health leaders demand urgent review into asbestos failures
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  Open letter demand urgent review into asbestos failuresNovember 21, 2025
  Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon, Prime MinisterHon. Brooke van Velden, Minister for Workplace Relations and SafetyHon. Simeon Brown, Minister for HealthHon. Casey Costello, Minister for CustomsHon. Scott Simpson, Minister for ACCHon… Read More »Open letter demand urgent review into asbestos failures
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  Unions call on Govt to pass corporate manslaughter lawNovember 19, 2025
  The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is calling on the Government to honour the memories of the workers who lost their lives fifteen years ago today at the Pike River Mine… Read More »Unions call on Govt to pass corporate manslaughter law
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  Proposal to revoke Asbestos Code of PracticeNovember 10, 2025
  Submitted by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi7 November 2025 This submission is made on behalf of the 32 unions affiliated to the New Zealand Council… Read More »Proposal to revoke Asbestos Code of Practice
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  Proposal to revoke asbestos code of practice concerningNovember 5, 2025
  The NZCTU Te Kauae Kamahi is strongly concerned with WorkSafe’s proposal to remove the asbestos Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and replace it with other forms of guidance. “Workers need… Read More »Proposal to revoke asbestos code of practice concerning
• 
  Workers absent from government’s AI “strategy”July 9, 2025
  The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned that the artificial intelligence (AI) “strategy” document released today by the Government ignores impacts on working people and… Read More »Workers absent from government’s AI “strategy”

Resources

Guidance regarding workplace drug and alcohol policies.

Visit Drug and Alcohol page

As workers, we all have a legal right to stop any work that we believe will get us or anyone else hurt.

Your right to stop unsafe work

Worksafe Reps are the only worker-based health and safety training providers in
New Zealand.

Visit Worksafe Reps

Have you suffered a workplace injury or an injury that affects your ability to work? Do you need help to access your ACC entitlements?

Visit WIAS

Policy Topics