New guidance on occupational diving and first aid at work
Two revised hazardous substances guides
Updated guidance on working safely with garden soil, compost, mulch, potting mix
Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indicies consulation
Our response to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a sharp focus for businesses on the importance of managing health risks at work where it becomes an occupational health issue.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) is leading the Government's COVID-19 response because it is primarily a public health issue. We're following MoH COVID-19 health advice in our guidance for businesses.
All government advice on COVID-19 can be found at the Unite against COVID-19 website. This is the portal to official advice from government agencies and recognised non-governmental agencies such as the Mental Health Foundation.
We have a COVID-19 section on our website which we update frequently to help businesses manage workplace health risks associated with the virus. Currently, information focuses on supporting businesses to return to work safely and will be updated as alert levels change. The impact of the pandemic on mental health has been recognised and we have included a list of mental health resources on our website.
The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) register offers a searchable database of work-related health professionals who can provide business advice on how best to protect workers returning to work through the alert levels. HASANZ has also launched a COVID-19 webinar series featuring a segment on working productively from home. The webinar outlines ways for workers to adjust their home working space to avoid discomfort or injury while working from home. For this and other helpful COVID-19 webinars and resources visit their website for more information.
We have been making proactive calls to businesses to check they are operating safely as they return to work, and that they are engaging with their workers on work health and safety. Our callers will be asking a few basic questions and reminding businesses of their responsibilities.
We provided extensive guidance for businesses that re-opened when we went into Alert Level 3 as all businesses were then required to have a COVID-19 safety plan that sets out how they will operate safely.
As we look beyond Alert Level 3 we will provide guidance to step people through what they need to do to return to work safely which will follow a similar framework that was used during Alert Level 3.
Information for businesses planning to re-open can be found in the COVID-19 section of our website, including industry group guidance to assist businesses returning to work or to support changes as a result of the move to Alert Level 2.
Though the country is currently in an unprecedented situation with COVID-19, we are continuing to work with the Ministry of Health, ACC and the Dust Diseases Taskforce on a coordinated response for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
The Taskforce is advising the three agencies on the process to actively find and test exposed workers.
Businesses returning to work should continue to ensure workers and others in the workplace are not being exposed to RCS – see our dust guidance. If you or your workplace work with engineered stone and have not yet heard from WorkSafe, email H&SConcerns@worksafe.govt.nz with “Accelerated Silicosis” and your location in the subject line and we will put you in touch with an inspector.
Last year we visited all 113 businesses known to be working with engineered stone to ensure workplace risks are being effectively managed and effective controls are in place to protect workers. The exposure risk can be minimised if all practicable steps to avoid exposure to dust are taken.
Anybody with concerns about accelerated silicosis is invited to visit our website for information, and to record your details to keep in touch as more information becomes available.
Working safely in the occupational diving, snorkelling and free-diving industries
We have recently published a new occupational diving guide. It offers advice to businesses on safe occupational diving activities using compressed gas underwater, and safe occupational snorkelling and free-diving. Our role in occupational diving is to act as the regulator for ensuring the safe operation of occupational divers in New Zealand.
First aid at work – advice on what equipment you need
All workers must be provided with first aid facilities, equipment and access to first aiders. Our new guide has advice on what to consider when deciding what first aid equipment and facilities you need at work. It also suggests ways to help you organise your first aid kits, facilities, and first aiders.
Two significantly revised hazardous substances guides
Our updated certification of locations holding toxic and corrosive substances guide explains the certification requirements of toxic and corrosive substances when they are in storage. These requirements apply when those substances are in containers including packages, drums, transportable containers (including portable tanks) and stationary tanks.
Our guide on keeping your service station compliant with the hazardous substances regulations helps businesses understand how to comply with their regulatory obligations for hazardous substances at service stations. There are also suggestions to help businesses or their workers prepare for a compliance certifier’s visit to issue a location compliance certificate for the site.
Before you get out in the garden or back to work in a gardening setting, read our updated quick guide on reducing the risks of getting legionnaires’ disease and legionellosis.
We are proposing changes to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) of 18 substances and the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of 4 substances. Consultation closes on 28 August 2020.
You can view the documents for each substance and submit your feedback on the online form on our website.
