Here is the ergonomics legislation from
New Zealand
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
New Zealand does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Page last updated: 30/01/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
-
Section 36: Primary Duty of Care
1) Safe Environments - Maintain workstations and sites so they are without risks to health and safety.
2) Equipment Safety - Ensure all "plant" (machinery, computers, and furniture) and structures are safe to use.
3) Welfare Facilities - Provide and maintain access to adequate facilities (e.g., washrooms, break areas).
4) Training & Supervision - Provide the instruction and training necessary to protect workers from specific site or ergonomic risks.
5) Monitoring - Regularly monitor workplace conditions and worker health to prevent injury or illness. -
Section 38: Management of Fixtures, Fittings, & Plant
1) Safe Installations - Ensure that any fixtures or fittings (such as ergonomic desks, chairs, or shelving) are safe for anyone at the workplace.
2) Extent of Control - This duty applies to any part of the workplace or equipment the PCBU manages or controls. -
Section 60: Mandatory Worker Engagement
1) Hazard Identification - Consult workers when identifying hazards and assessing risks at their workstations or sites.
2) Risk Mitigation - Engage workers when deciding how to eliminate or minimize those risks.
3) Welfare & Changes - Consult before making decisions on welfare facilities or proposing changes that affect health and safety, such as new office layouts.
4) Monitoring Procedures - Involve workers when establishing how workplace conditions will be monitored.
The Duties of
The Employer
🏠 for Remote Work
- Health and Safety - Businesses must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the physical and mental health and safety of their workers while working from home.
The Duties of
The Employee
-
Section 45: Duties of Workers
While at work, a worker must—
1) take reasonable care for his or her own health and safety; and
2)take reasonable care that his or her acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons; and
3) comply, as far as the worker is reasonably able, with any reasonable instruction that is given by the PCBU to allow the PCBU to comply with this Act or regulations; and
4) co-operate with any reasonable policy or procedure of the PCBU relating to health or safety at the workplace that has been notified to workers.
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
