Advancing Head Protection in the Building and Construction Industry White Paper

For more than a decade, much of New Zealand’s construction, infrastructure and utility sectors have moved beyond traditional hard hats. These were designed mainly for falling objects, but they do not provide enough protection against slips, trips, and side impacts, which ACC identifies as among the leading causes of serious injuries on worksites.

Complete the form to access our new white paper and stay ahead of critical changes in head protection standards for New Zealand worksites.

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Recent updates to both AS/NZS and European standards mark a significant shift in how these risks are formally recognised. Two new classifications, AS/NZS 1801:2024 Type 4 and BS EN 397:2025 Type 2, are designed to address impacts from multiple directions, including off-crown and lateral blows, delivering clearer and more consistent guidance across the construction industry.

But with these changes come new questions around procurement, supply chain readiness, terminology, and on-site interpretation. Without a clear, shared understanding, there’s a real risk of confusion in how safety standards are applied.

At ZERO, we've spent over a decade advocating for better head protection. Our work with contractors, resellers, and industry bodies has given us unique insight into what’s happening on the ground, and where we believe the industry needs to go next. That’s why we’ve prepared this white paper: to help contractors, procurement teams, safety managers, and industry leaders navigate this changing landscape with confidence.