A Brief Review of Geothermal Health and Safety Regulations Following the “Pike River Inquiry”

Abstract

New Zealand is on the brink of major structural change to its health and safety regime following the Pike River Royal Commission and an Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety. Changes include a new stand-alone regulator, and greater emphasis on a tripartite regime in which the regulator, workers and companies all have responsibilities for appropriate outcomes, including regulation. Improved health and safety regulation of many sectors, including geothermal, will be implemented. The geothermal industry is currently reviewing both the Geothermal Energy Regulations 1961 which gives effect to the now-repealed Geothermal Energy Act 1953, and NZS 2403:1991 Code of Practice for Deep Geothermal Wells to bring this in to line with current technology and regulatory environment. However, to reflect industry best practice in managing hazards associated with geothermal development, the suite of regulations ultimately required may be wider than the current work stream. Regulators have a special focus on high-hazard industries, including the geothermal industry. This paper briefly examines why the geothermal industry currently has this “high hazard” classification, and whether or not this is appropriate. Ultimately the question will be what form of health and safety regulation is appropriate.