• Our COVID-19 update
• New guidance: local exhaust ventilation and cytotoxic drugs
• Reminder about the risks of leptospirosis infection
• Recent media updates: partnership with NZ film industry and carbon monoxide poisoning death in shower
• Who can help DIYers manage asbestos risks at home
• HASANZ 2021 conference and ACC subsidy
• MBIE's bullying and harassment issues paper

The recent alert level shifts show that we need to remain vigilant about the emergence of COVID-19 in the community. This includes adhering to health and safety requirements in the workplace. For example, all businesses are required to clearly display the QR codes. TVNZ recently ran a story about the first prosecution of a business for not displaying an official COVID Tracer app QR code which you can view on its website.

Local exhaust ventilation guidance for upstream PCBUs

We've released new guidance for local exhaust ventilation (LEV) duty holders (such as suppliers, importers and manufacturers). Designed, installed and maintained correctly, LEV can minimise the risk of workers breathing in contaminated air so it's really important to get it right throughout the entire supply chain. 

Keeping workers safe when handling cytotoxic drugs and related waste

New guidance has been released to help PCBUs that work with cytotoxic drugs and related waste to keep workers and other people safe. This guidance will be useful for hospitals, pharmacists, nurses, orderlies, cleaners, laundry workers and workers handling cytotoxic waste. 

New research into workers most at risk of leptospirosis shows that in addition to dairy farmers, workers who handle other cattle and sheep are equally as susceptible. We have a suite of leptospirosis guidance that covers working with dairy and beef cattle, pigs, deer and sheep, as well as in meat processing, transport and sales yards. 

WorkSafe partnership with NZ film industry and ScreenSafe

The New Zealand screen sector is being hailed for its innovative approach to managing COVID- 19. A new partnership between the film industry, ScreenSafe and WorkSafe saw the creation of a world class guidance document for managing COVID-19 in the workplace.

Read the full media release

Carbon monoxide poisoning death in shower

We recently prosecuted a company following the death of a 12-year old boy in the shower. His death was caused by a gas water heater that should never have been installed inside the bathroom. 

Find out more about the case

DIYers need to know how to check for asbestos or how to engage a professional to identify it for them. People doing projects around their homes over summer need to be aware of the risk of asbestos or they’re gambling with the health of themselves, their family and their neighbourhood. 

HASANZ is launching a series of case study videos about businesses that have worked with HASANZ-registered health and safety professionals. The videos promote the ACC subsidy scheme that makes accessing this expert advice more affordable for small and medium businesses.

Watch the first video and find out more about the subsidy on the HASANZ website.

Registrations are now open for the HASANZ Conference 2021. This year’s theme is ‘Sharing know how, growing how to’. The two-day conference starts on 2 September at Te Papa. 

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is inviting the public to have their say on an issues paper on bullying and harassment at work in New Zealand.

The primary focus of the paper is how the employment relations and health and safety systems prevent and respond to bullying and harassment at work. Anyone who has knowledge or experience with the systems that prevent or respond to bullying and harassment at work is encouraged to give feedback on the MBIE website.

Submissions close 31 March at 5pm.