Advancing Head Protection in the Building and Construction Industry White Paper

New Zealand worksites are evolving—and so are the risks. From slips and trips to low-height falls and lateral impacts, today’s hazards demand more than the old-fashioned hard hat. Discover how new standards are raising the bar for head protection and what you need to do to keep your workforce safe.

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.