The workplace health and safety review currently being undertaken in New Zealand is pivotal for the country and will have a significant impact on the steel industry. The review is a once-in-a-generation chance not just to tweak, but to fully overhaul New Zealand’s safety system in favour of workers and businesses. While reviewing the Health And Safety At Work Act 2015, the Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, has received a submission from the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum (BLHSF). The Forum is a coalition of business and government leaders committed to improving the performance of workplace health and safety in New Zealand. It was launched in 2010 by then Prime Minister, John Key, with fewer than 100 members, and has now grown to more than 400 members who are CEOs, managing directors and country heads of New Zealand organisations. In collaboration with other stakeholders including NZ Institute of Safety Management,

BusinessNZ and the Council of Trade Unions, the Forum wrote directly to the Minister. “In our submission to the Minister last year the Forum was clear to point out that while the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 is not the problem, the absence of supporting regulations and guidance leaves businesses unclear about their responsibilities,” said Francois Barton, CEO of the Forum. The submission made several recommendations, including:

• A more strategic, risk-based approach to regulation
• Greater emphasis on leadership and governance
• A renewed focus on worker engagement

Several key themes emerged, including the need for more intelligent, targeted interventions by regulators; also a greater emphasis on managing critical risks; and support for businesses which are genuinely trying to do the right thing. Another theme raised was that of seriously designing worker engagement into the system, not just as an afterthought, if improved outcomes are desired. This work illustrates a wider movement in industry thinking – away from compliance-focussed “check-it-off-the-list” approaches, and towards leadership cultures where health, safety and well-being are seen as essential to good business.

This improved attitude coincides with a noticeable commitment to and investment in artificial intelligence technology by major steel industry players to provide better protection for workers. Here are three examples. United Industries has teamed with Spark New Zealand to transform worker safety by using Spark AI Vision cameras in its steel operations. Trials are underway at United Industries’ Auckland and Christchurch steel sites. “At United Industries, we are working towards safety solutions that not only protect our workforce but revolutionise the entire NZ construction industry. By partnering with Spark, we’re working to prove the value of AI camera technology in high-risk areas of steel operations. Our commitment to industry-led innovation is paving the way for smarter, safer workplaces across New Zealand,” said Benjamin Hammond, Group Health and Safety Manager at United Industries. Among other things, the collaboration is exploring real-time risk detection where AI algorithms instantly identify unsafe conditions; and strategic surveillance where IP cameras are placed where they matter most. 

Next, the website NewZealand.AI has reported that Vulcan Steel recently started using Microsoft Cognitive Service’s Custom Vision tools to evaluate camera footage from the company’s trucks for actions that could be risky or lead to an accident. The artificial intelligence tools are able to do what the human eye can´t – to sift through thousands of pieces of footage each day to look for potential risks. This leaves the company’s workers with the need only to review a small subset of footage which has been flagged for possible health and safety concern. Elsewhere, Steel & Tube’s CEO, Mark Malpass, has confirmed the company is pleased with its AI innovation trial in its manufacturing operations designed to provide a new layer of insight into worker safety.

These advances stand to position the steel sector positively, while showing the commitment from key participants to lift the safety standard beyond traditional norms. Even as legislative reform is underway, collaboration across industries and the leadership being shown by the Forum are positive signs that New Zealand’s health and safety system can continue to evolve in ways that make a real difference. There is a clear message emerging from industry leaders: safe, healthy and thriving workplaces are not just good for the people who work there, they are good for business too.

Finally, a reminder from the New Zealand Association of Metal Recyclers (NZAMR) that its 2025 Convention will be held at The Chateau on the Park in Christchurch over August 7 – 8. NZAMR is pleased to say that all exhibitor spaces for the Convention have been sold; and that any further companies wishing to exhibit will be placed on a waiting list, in the event of an exhibitor’s cancellation. The good news is that some sponsorships are still available. These include: the Lunch at $2700; Afternoon Tea, $1700; Event Photographer, $2000; and 3rd prize pack for pub quiz, $690. Prices include GST. Delegate registrations will open on June 1, 2025. See the NZAMR website for details.