• Summer time risks for businesses and workers to manage
• COVID-19 Alert Level 1 update
• Accelerated silicosis update
• Focus on respiratory risks
• Latest edition of Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices
• New hazard classification system
• Watch: Fonterra wins Safeguard work-related health award 2020
• Consultations: secondary container systems, working from home and SafePlus Snips
• Listen: Our work-related health strategy
• 2021 HASANZ conference and scholarship announcement
• Reminders

It’s at this time of year that it can start to get hotter and the sun has more of a kick. We have guidance for businesses and workers on how to keep healthy and safe from risks in the workplace from UV radiation.

You can also check out the Health Promotion Agency's SunSmart resources.

It's also at this time of year, the sprint to Christmas for many businesses can lead to risks at work around fatigue. We have guidance and information to manage the risk of fatigue in the workplace.

We've just published new COVID-19 information and guidance for businesses and workers to help them continue to manage risks under Alert Level 1.

Managing duties for border and MIQF businesses and services is for businesses and services operating at our airport and port borders, and those involved in operating managed isolation and quarantine facilities (MIQFs). The guidance explains the difference between HSWA obligations and COVID-19 public health requirements. 

We also have new information on our COVID-19 information for workers webpage for border workers who must comply with public health requirements around testing, medical exams and keeping the business or service they work for up to date.

We have been working with ACC and the Ministry of Health to identify workers who may be at risk of developing accelerated silicosis as a result of working with engineered stone. This is an emerging health issue.

The three agencies have developed a new health assessment process to support the delivery of consistent prevention, assessment and treatment services across the country for engineered stone workers. The process starts with a health check appointment with a GP.

The second round of visits by our inspectors to the 113 businesses known to work with engineered stone has almost been completed. The aim of the visits is to provide workers and businesses with health information and let them know about the health check and the ACC-funded health assessment process.

Inspectors are also following up on last year’s visits to check risk management. Inspectors will also visit newly identified sites that work with engineered stone.

We have recently published revised and new guidance on respiratory risks.

Our local exhaust ventilation quick guide has been updated and now contains additional information about exposure and health monitoring for workers who may be exposed to substances that are hazardous to health. 

We also have two new fact sheets for businesses that import or supply personal protective equipment (PPE). 

The 12th edition of Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices is now available.

Earlier in the year we consulted on proposed changes to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) of 18 substances and the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of four substances. We received nearly 100 submissions and the accepted changes are now published. 

The seventh revised edition of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS 7) has been adopted as New Zealand’s official hazard classification system. It takes effect from 30 April 2021.

The GHS 7 is an international hazard classification system for chemicals created by the United Nations. The hazards are communicated on labels and safety data sheets including the safe way to store, use and dispose of chemicals. A key difference following the adopting the new classification system is that the existing Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) hazard classification system will no longer be used.

For hazardous substances approved before 30 April 2021 you must:

• follow the rules under the amended Hazardous Substances (Hazardous Property Controls) Notice 2017, Hazardous Substances (Disposal) Notice 2017 and Hazardous Substances (Importers and Manufacturers) Notice 2015 from 30 April 2021
• update labelling, safety data sheets and packaging requirements by 30 April 2025.

You can also compare a HSNO classification to its GHS equivalent on the EPA website.

Watch: Fonterra wins Safeguard work-related health award 2020

Congratulations to Fonterra for taking out the WorkSafe Award for best initiative to address a work-related health risk in the Safeguard New Zealand Health and Safety Awards this year. Fonterra was recognised for a programme creating transformational change put together by its occupational health nursing team. Using a risk-based approach, the team created tailored occupational health services for Fonterra staff.

Mental health when working from home guidance 

We're developing new guidance for businesses called Mental health when working from home. We'll be asking for feedback on this draft guidance early next year.

If you're interested in providing feedback, please email our Guidance and Education Development Team by 22 December and we'll be in touch in the new year.

Hazardous substances  – secondary containment systems

We're seeking feedback on our draft good practice guidelines, Secondary containment systems: Guidance for PCBUs. These draft guidelines seek to address the range of secondary containment options a business is likely to consider when developing a new site or making significant changes to an existing site where hazardous substances are held. 

Consultation closes on 22 January 2021. You can view the draft guidelines and submit your feedback on the online form on our website.

We're developing a new SafePlus tool that focuses on mental health and looking for businesses across sectors to test drive it and provide feedback.  

SafePlus Snips is an express version of the SafePlus Online tool. It consists of a pulse survey, and conversation cards that businesses can use to deep dive into factors that can cause mental harm in the workplace, and to find out what they're doing well, and where they need to improve. 

There are four focus areas: leadership, work demands, work environment, and culture - all of which contribute to building a mentally healthy workplace. It is self-guided and designed to be flexible so businesses can use it in a way that works for them and their people.

Testing will take place in February and you’ll have the chance to trial the tool in your business. Once you’ve tried it out, we’ll set up a one-hour discussion with you to find out what worked well and what didn’t. This is your opportunity to be involved with developing an exciting new product that has the potential to benefit mental health among workers all over New Zealand.

We're targeting small to medium sized businesses, but larger organisations may want to use the tool within smaller teams or work groups. We want to hear from business owners, managers, and health and safety representatives from start-ups to well-established businesses by 22 December.

WorkSafe’s Kerry Cheung, Certified Occupational Hygienist and Technical Specialist, features in a Science of Safety podcast to discuss our work-related health strategy. 

The strategy aims to have fewer people experience work-related ill-health to achieve its vision of: Everyone who goes to work comes home healthy and safe. 

The HASANZ Conference 2021 is set to be held at Te Papa Wellington from 1 to 3 September next year.

Expect exceptional keynote speakers and practical takeaways from its popular concurrent sessions. Registration opens 1 February as does the call for papers. Save the date and keep an eye on the conference website for more information.

HASANZ is set to announce its HASANZ Scholarship recipients, including for occupational health study, for 2020. Check out the HASANZ website for more information.

You have until 31 March 2021 to provide feedback on MBIE’s Issues Paper outlining the nature and extent of bullying and harassment at work in New Zealand. The paper describes the health and safety at work and employment relations regulatory systems and suggests some areas where there may be opportunities to improve.

The Issues Paper and information on how to submit your feedback can be found on MBIE's website.