Work-related health is a core area of focus for WorkSafe. We’re committed to increasing the awareness of good practice in work-related health and preventing harm to the health of kiwi workers.
Healthy Work – WorkSafe’s work-related health plan
Healthy Work is WorkSafe’s 10-year strategic plan for work-related health. It outlines our future approach so that we can support and enable businesses to better manage work-related health risks. The plan is a strong signal of the direction New Zealand must take to make workplaces healthier.
New sheep shearing guidelines are now available. The guidelines were developed with significant input from shearers and farmers, and worker health in the woolshed is reinforced throughout. Topics in the guidelines include worker health and exposure monitoring, animal diseases (zoonoses), including leptospirosis and gastroenteritis, woolshed noise, and stress. Read them here
Risk of the month: Carbon monoxide and using forklifts
Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly poisonous gas that can quickly build up when using forklifts powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), petrol and diesel indoors without enough ventilation.
Breathing in carbon monoxide can make workers unwell, or can even kill. Read more
Mercy Hospital providing a healthy workplace for surgical staff
Mercy Hospital is one of the first hospitals in New Zealand to invest in plume evacuation equipment, ensuring all staff stay safe from this health risk. Read more here
Fonterra case study for tackling driver fatigue
A change in attitude was the key to tackling driver fatigue for Fonterra. In 2015 Fonterra put the issue front and centre by launching a programme to help keep tanker operators stay safe. View the video and read the case study
Bullying guidelines update
WorkSafe is currently updating the guidelines Preventing and responding to workplace bullying. The new version will simplify the content, explain how the issue fits into new workplace health and safety legislation, and will move worker-specific guidance into a separate guidance document. The revised guidance is expected to be available early next year.
Tools and resources
WorkSafe is constantly updating available tools and resources on the website. Check out the latest ones: