Kia ora koutou and welcome to the latest work-related health newsletter.

Updates in this edition include:

• our approach to managing musculoskeletal disorders, commonly known as sprains and strains, discomfort, pain or injury
• information about respiratory protective equipment, including guidance and new how-to videos
• the expected publish date for the new edition of the workplace exposure standards and biological exposure indices (WES and BEI)
• a podcast from The Detail discussing the results of the New Zealand Carcinogens Survey
• an overview of the new Health and Safety at Work (Health and Safety Representatives and Committees) Amendment Act
• congratulations to the Safeguard Magazine New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards winners
• a media release
• information about the ACC teamwork makes recovery work campaign; and
• upcoming conferences.

This position sets out WorkSafe’s expectations of how persons conducting a business or undertaking should manage musculoskeletal health and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

WorkSafe uses the term work-related musculoskeletal disorders to refer to injuries or conditions of the musculoskeletal system that occur when work demands lead or contribute to discomfort, pain, or injury.

Workers can be exposed to risks that may lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This quick guide explains what work-related musculoskeletal disorders are and what factors increase their likelihood.

When you work from the office, your business provides you with a workstation, equipment, and suitable environment. However, when you work from home you may need to set up your own workstation and environment. Workstations that do not suit your body or your work tasks may cause fatigue, discomfort, or pain.

Continuous use of an uncomfortable workstation can lead to conditions such as muscle strain, neck pain, back pain, and hand/arm pain.

Musculoskeletal disorders can impair productivity and impact your life outside of work.

Respiratory protective equipment is a type of personal protective equipment that protects workers and others from harmful particles like dust, mists or fibres in the air.

Our new videos show how to properly use a disposable P2/N95 respirator (dust mask) or a half face or half mask respirator.

WorkSafe expects to publish the new (14^th) edition of the workplace exposure standards and biological exposure indices (WES and BEI) special guide in November 2023. 

From date of publication, the updated values will be reflected on our digital guide.

The 14^th edition of the special guide will replace the 13^th edition, and will be available for download on our website.

WorkSafe commissioned the first New Zealand Carcinogens Survey, published in April 2023, which provides new data to better estimate the current exposure to carcinogens among New Zealand workers. This survey found that more than half of workers in New Zealand are exposed to at least one cancer-causing agent at work. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, businesses have a responsibility to protect workers from this exposure. 

In this podcast from The Detail, Dr Amanda Eng, an occupational health expert, and Professor John Potter, a public health expert, comment on what this new data means for worker health in Aotearoa.

• Carcinogen exposure in Aotearoa workplaces is unacceptably high - Public Health Communication Centre
• Call to action over exposure to cancer-causing agents at work - New Zealand Doctor  
• Shift work among the top 10 carcinogens in NZ workplaces - Stuff.co.nz

The Health and Safety at Work (Health and Safety Representatives and Committees) Amendment Act has now passed into law. These changes increase workers’ access to health and safety representatives, and health and safety committees.

In summary this means:

• If a worker asks for a health and safety representative, the business must initiate an election.
• If a health and safety representative or five or more workers ask for a health and safety committee, the business must establish one.

WorkSafe will be updating our guidance shortly to reflect these changes.

Congratulations to all the winners at the recent Safeguard Magazine New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards, an event that celebrates health and safety excellence across Aotearoa.

Silver Fern Farms Ltd was announced as the winner of the WorkSafe New Zealand/ACC New Zealand Supreme Award. The judges were impressed with their annual three-day Ora Runanga, where leadership personally engage with workers to learn about how work is really done, the risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Aimex Limited was originally sentenced in July 2021 for an incident where an apprentice was exposed to vapour from solvents that he had been using to clean an engine room, causing serious injuries.

Our Chief Executive Phil Parkes spoke to RNZ about the need to look after young workers, like apprentices, who have a higher risk of being injured or becoming unwell at work.

They're the future generation and companies need to recognise they have a responsibility to look after them and train them.

Everyone who goes to work should come home healthy and safe.

When someone experiences an injury which affects their ability to work, it can have a big impact for them, their employer, and their teammates.

For many, work can be a key part of rehabilitation and can mean getting better sooner, compared to staying at home. Staying connected to the workplace can also be beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing. For business, there are also benefits like retaining the person's skills and expertise.

But recovering at work safely takes a team, involving the injured person, their health professional, employer and ACC.

To understand your role, ACC has developed practical resources, videos, and advice about how to do it successfully and starting a recovery at work plan.

24-25 August: New Zealand Occupational Health Nurses Association Conference

Register now on the association website