Businesses have another option to reassure customers and stakeholders of their commitment to health and safety following adoption by New Zealand and Australia of the international occupational health and safety management systems standard NZS/AS ISO 45001.

WorkSafe says businesses need to remember that legislation rather than standards determine the protections they are required to provide their workers and other people affected by their work.

"AS/NZS ISO 45001 does not specifically reflect all the obligations and duties set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. This means adopting the standard does not necessarily mean a business is complying with the law."

Businesses do not have to use or comply with AS/NZS ISO 45001. Its use is voluntary, WorkSafe says.