|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update from Catherine Epps, General Manager Health and Technical Services, WorkSafe
Kia ora koutou and welcome to the latest work-related health newsletter.
Updates in this edition include:
- our roadshows to support businesses to reduce workers’ exposure to carcinogens and airborne risks
- a new policy on how we set workplace exposure standards and biological exposure indices
- the approved safe work instruments for the fumigant ethanedinitrile
- our newest guidance on:
- keeping healthy and safe while working on or near roads
- using industrial vacuums and portable extractors
- preventing harm from hydrogen sulphide
- and WorkSafe’s prosecution of Waste Management Ltd.
Your feedback helps us to provide the most useful updates to you. Feel free to let us know what you’d like to see in this newsletter by replying to this email.
Thank you for your continued mahi and support to improve the health of workers in New Zealand.
Ngā mihi nui
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supporting businesses to reduce people’s exposure to carcinogens and airborne risks is a priority for WorkSafe.
Learn about identifying and controlling carcinogens and airborne risks at one of our roadshows being held around New Zealand between 20 September and 15 November 2022.
These roadshows are for you if your business involves work where there could be exposure to carcinogens and airborne risks such as welding fume, silica dust, asbestos and wood dust.
The roadshows will be hands on and interactive, with the opportunity to engage with our team and subject matter experts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have published a new policy on how we set workplace exposure standards (WES) and biological exposure indices (BEI).
Breathing airborne contaminants and substances can damage organs and cause diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, silicosis and cancers. WES and BEI are important tools to help protect workers from adverse health effects from exposure to particular substances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Michael Wood, has approved two safe work instruments setting requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) for work with the fumigant ethanedinitrile (EDN).
EDN is a potential replacement for many current uses of methyl bromide and has been approved as a fumigant for export logs and timber.
These safe work instruments are the first to set prescribed exposure standards and health monitoring requirements for a hazardous substance under the HSWA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In partnership with Waka Kotahi, we have published a guide which encourages a more comprehensive health and safety approach for all businesses who work on or around the road.
Like all our guidance products, this guide aims to empower businesses to design mahi with good health and safety practices that are compliant with their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We recently published a quick guide about the use of industrial vacuums and portable extractors to control hazardous dust (such as respirable crystalline silica, or RCS). This joins our existing guidance on using local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems and on-tool extraction for the same purpose.
The quick guide discusses the selection of the filter and the vacuum itself, the maintenance of the appliance, and worker information and training.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We recently published updated guidance on preventing harm from exposure to hydrogen sulphide. Incidents, such as the chemical poisoning of a worker at Waste Management (see below), highlighted the need for more awareness of the risks.
The guidance provides information on the risks and effects of exposure to hydrogen sulphide, where hydrogen sulphide can be found, and how to manage the risks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A litany of health and safety failings was laid bare in the Wellington District Court, where Waste Management Limited (Seaview, Wellington) was sentenced for the chemical poisoning of a worker.
Our investigation uncovered a breakdown of systems at the site, with health and safety failures at every level. These included improper storage and hazard identification, a lack of personal protective equipment for workers, and inadequate risk assessment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
