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

Updates in this edition include: 

• how to stay healthy and safe while doing cyclone recovery work 
• the recently published New Zealand Carcinogens Survey 2021 
• information about musculoskeletal disorders, commonly known as sprains and strains, discomfort, pain or injury 
• consultation on the modified application of controlled substance licence requirements for specified class 1 substances safe work instrument 
• what you may have missed in the news about working with engineered stone  
• a new Farmstrong wellbeing module; and
• upcoming events and conferences. 

Workers have a right to be kept safe and healthy, whether they are involved in cleaning up after Cyclone Gabrielle or clocking on for a shift. 

There are still a number of health risks for those working on cyclone and flood recovery efforts. These risks include asbestos, managing fatigue, working with silt or contaminated soil, and strains and sprains.  

WorkSafe, in collaboration with the Occupational Integrated Database Exposure Assessment System (OccIDEAS) team and Research New Zealand, conducted the New Zealand Carcinogens Survey to estimate the current exposure to carcinogens among New Zealand workers.  

The recently published survey report found that:

• over half (57.5%) of workers are probably exposed to at least one carcinogen at any level
• 23.3% are probably exposed to five or more carcinogens at any level 
• over half (53.1%) of workers are exposed to at least one carcinogenic agent at a low level
• nearly three in ten (28%) workers are probably exposed to at least one carcinogen at a high level. 

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), businesses have a responsibility to protect workers from this exposure.  

Findings from the survey will support the Government Health and Safety at Work Strategy 2018–2028 and WorkSafe's carcinogens and airborne risks programme. 

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 the discomfort, pain, or injury. 

Common work-related musculoskeletal disorders include sprains and strains to lower backs, upper and lower limbs, and nerve compressions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

Defining musculoskeletal health risk is essential. This definition helps to guide how, as the health and safety regulator, we might act to reduce harm to workers in Aotearoa.

We’ve presented our definitions for musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. We recommend these definitions for use by the work health and safety sector.

This report is a review of the international definitions for musculoskeletal disorders and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

When discussing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, a clear definition provides a consistent foundation for developing interventions and measuring their impact.

Assessment of musculoskeletal risks will identify the contributing factors (hazards). Once the contributing factors are understood, decisions can be made about how to control them. This may require skilled assessment by knowledgeable professionals.

Learn more about what WorkSafe is doing to address common work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and our targets to prevent harm by 2025.

Public consultation is now open on a proposed safe work instrument which outlines the controlled substance licence requirements for specified class 1 hazardous substances (explosives). 

More information on the proposed safe work instrument and how to provide feedback is available on our website. Submissions close at 5pm on Wednesday 17 May 2023. 

Recent news articles

• Engineered stone bench top makers shun a safety scheme to stop workers inhaling silica deadly dust - read on stuff.co.nz
• Silicosis: All options open to keep people safe from deadly dust from stone bench tops - read on stuff.co.nz

More information

It’s clear the health and safety performance of engineered stone businesses in Aotearoa needs to improve.

The number of parties with an interest in worker safety who have spoken out on this recently, including representative bodies and unions with the same concerns as WorkSafe, is a clear signal to those businesses to do better.

WorkSafe is currently considering what mix of actions is appropriate and will have more information about next steps in the near future.

We will be guided by our enforcement decision-making model to ensure consistency of approach across businesses, taking their cooperation into account.

ACC’s partner Farmstrong has created a series of free online wellbeing modules called ‘Calmer Farmer’ for injured farmers and growers to understand and track their own wellbeing and risks of accidents on the job. 

The first module, preventing accidents and injuries, is designed to help farmers and growers learn how to be aware of the dangers on the farm and how to manage them effectively through wellbeing. 

8-9 May: New Zealand Occupational Hygiene Society – Work-Related Health Conference 2023 (Christchurch)

This conference is currently sold out - see the conference website for more information

20-21 June: Safeguard National Health and Safety Conference 2023 (Auckland and online)

Register now

29 June: Mentally Safe Work Conference (Christchurch)

Register now

5-7 July: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand Conference (Queenstown)

Register now