Health and safety

There are new changes to the governing health and safety legislation, which have made significant increases in responsibility and liability across many levels of an organisation. We work with clients to ensure they are aware of these changes so they can fully comply with their obligations.

Bell Gully’s team of experts work to understand clients' needs in order to advise on the best approach for their organisations. Our advice is proactive and tailored for the clients’ industry and business.

Our team provides a full range of services, from strategic advice to directors on health and safety legislation, through to workplace compliance, and managing health and safety investigations and prosecutions.

We regularly provide advice on clients’ health and safety duties. We have particular expertise in reacting to accidents and serious harm incidents when they arise and assist clients to manage risks, liaise with WorkSafe, and represent clients in criminal prosecutions. Our strength is providing consistent advice to guide clients throughout the legal process, often at a challenging time.

We also provide training and seminars on a wide range of common employment and workplace health and safety issues. Click here for more details.

Government response to COVID-19
Advised The New Zealand Government Vaccine Strategy Task Force, working with officials from MBIE, MFAT, the Health Ministry, PHARMAC and The Treasury, and leading the negotiations with the COVAX global facility and multiple multi-national pharmaceutical companies to secure advance purchase agreements for COVID-19 vaccinations for New Zealand, Niue, Tokelau and the Cook Islands.

Health and safety reform
Advising and providing training to clients on health and safety reform resulting from the Independent Taskforce into Safer Workplaces, the Pike River Royal Commission report, and the Royal Commission report into building failure caused by the Canterbury earthquakes, the MBIE consultation document on Building Seismic Performance and proposed reform of directors' duties under the new Health and Safety at Work Act.

Earthquake related issues
Advising major corporate clients on their health and safety obligations for earthquake-prone buildings. This includes reviewing and advising on seismic programmes to identify and strengthen earthquake-prone or earthquake-risk buildings.

Workplace incidents and WorkSafe investigations
Representing clients in a number of industries (including several major manufacturers) on workplace fatalities and serious harm incidents. Advising on all aspects of workplace serious harm incidents, advising on the initial response to the incident, advising on the incident investigation process, reviewing and commenting on the investigation report, liaising with WorkSafe, and advising on the prosecution process.

Representing clients in WorkSafe prosecutions
Advising clients on defending prosecutions and appearing as counsel at sentencing hearings.

Presenting on health and safety
Presenting on health and safety issues at industry related conferences and seminars, and have training on the changing landscape of health and safety numerous clients and their boards.

Reviewing agreements for compliance
Reviewing commercial and employment agreements and advising on suggested changes to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and industry best practice.

Health and safety

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