guidance for Worker Participation Agreements

Sometime in 2024, NZISM, the Government Health & Safety Lead and the Public Service Association developed a 4-page guide to Worker Participation Agreements. The guidance was co-developed between the three parties, with input from MBIE and WorkSafe, and supplements WorkSafe's refreshed worker engagement, participation and representation guidelines. Worker Participation Agreements are useful because they clearly specify the rules and processes for how workers will participate in managing health and safety. While participation is just one part of engagement, participation and representation, it's been my experience that it's the area where tensions and arguments are most common. Debate on actual health and safety matters can be useful, but arguments about who gets to be involved are often frustrating. I highly recommend every workplace develop a WPA, even if it's a one-page diagram tacked up on the work noticeboard. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it should be workable, valued, understood, and refreshed regularly. I'm really happy to help you craft one up or help you review whether yours is working. Go well, Tjarda