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Hazardous materials & substances stories

High-silica stone banned by only national fabricator
Supply Chain

High-silica stone banned by only national fabricator

Customers could face higher prices as New Zealand’s only national stone fabricator drops engineered stone with more than 40 percent silica.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Mon, 24th Jul 2023
Over half of NZ workers exposed to carcinogens
Risk & Compliance

Over half of NZ workers exposed to carcinogens

WorkSafe says exposure to cancer-causing agents remains widespread, with 57.5% of workers probably affected, raising work-related death risks.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 27th Apr 2023
Just how dangerous is mould?
Disaster Recovery

Just how dangerous is mould?

Water-damaged homes can expose residents to spores that trigger asthma, respiratory infections and other health problems.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Mon, 24th Apr 2023
Top 9 health & safety risks in construction
Risk & Compliance

Top 9 health & safety risks in construction

Worksites remain vulnerable to falls, electrocution and fire, with the risk of serious injury or death still high without strict controls.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Wed, 22nd Mar 2023
Working with silt or soil after flooding
Disaster Recovery

Working with silt or soil after flooding

Workers face contamination risks from flood silt, with WorkSafe warning of germs, chemicals and asbestos during clean-up.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 14th Mar 2023
Asbestos oversight a dangerous and expensive mishap
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos oversight a dangerous and expensive mishap

A Christchurch flooring job ended in court after asbestos-tainted vinyl was handled unsafely, triggering fines and fresh warnings.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 19th Feb 2023
Identified shortcomings adversely impact safe chemical management
Risk & Compliance

Identified shortcomings adversely impact safe chemical management

Industry-backed codes are seen as the quickest fix for WorkSafe NZ’s stretched oversight of chemical safety, amid a widening funding gap.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Mon, 12th Dec 2022
More must be done to manage asbestos risks
Risk & Compliance

More must be done to manage asbestos risks

Poor handling of asbestos remains a deadly threat in ageing buildings, with WorkSafe warning around 220 New Zealanders die each year.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 25th Nov 2022
The explosive risks working with heat-pumps, air-cons & fridges
Risk & Compliance

The explosive risks working with heat-pumps, air-cons & fridges

Businesses retrofitting flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants into existing cooling systems face a heightened fire and explosion risk, WorkSafe says.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Thu, 10th Nov 2022
How to prevent harm from hydrogen sulphide
Agricultural Technology

How to prevent harm from hydrogen sulphide

Workers can be killed within minutes if toxic hydrogen sulphide builds up in confined or poorly ventilated spaces, WorkSafe warns.

By Michael Curreen • 13 min read • Fri, 23rd Sep 2022
Company deemed responsible for ‘white out’ road fatality
Law

Company deemed responsible for ‘white out’ road fatality

A Bay of Plenty lime spreader has been fined after dust blown on to a motorway sparked a fatal multi-vehicle crash and killed Susan Walmsley.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Mon, 12th Sep 2022
Gross negligence caused toxic gas death
Risk & Compliance

Gross negligence caused toxic gas death

A judge has called the site a fatal gas chamber after a worker died from hydrogen sulphide exposure, and the firm was fined and ordered to pay reparations.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 19th Jun 2022
Asbestos and water blasting not a good mix
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos and water blasting not a good mix

Contractors risk prosecution and hefty fines if high-pressure water blasting disturbs asbestos on roofs or cladding in New Zealand.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Mon, 6th Jun 2022
Cutting-edge solutions to handle building waste
Climate change

Cutting-edge solutions to handle building waste

Construction waste is harder to recycle than most rubbish because asbestos and other pollutants must be stripped out first.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Wed, 18th May 2022
Welder’s close call with oil drum
Health and Safety

Welder’s close call with oil drum

A workshop worker was hospitalised after drum-cutting fumes ignited, highlighting the risk of explosion when hot work is done on containers.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Sun, 6th Mar 2022
Pesticide exposure increases respiratory disease risk
Agricultural Technology

Pesticide exposure increases respiratory disease risk

UK workers exposed to pesticides face a higher risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a study of nearly 100,000 people.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Jan 2022
Employer’s advice gets workers poisoned
Risk & Compliance

Employer’s advice gets workers poisoned

Workers were exposed to toxic fumigants after poor respirator practices at a pest control firm prompted a GBP £250,000 fine.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 10th Dec 2021
Pest control company’s ‘home brew’ bait leaves worker hospitalised
Risk & Compliance

Pest control company’s ‘home brew’ bait leaves worker hospitalised

A Christchurch manufacturer has been fined NZD $275,000 after toxic vapour from a trial went on to poison a worker and trigger a four-month recovery.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 4th Aug 2021
Worker hospitalised after ingesting fuel
Risk & Compliance

Worker hospitalised after ingesting fuel

The incident prompted a safety warning on siphoning petrol, with WorkSafe saying swallowing fuel can cause fatal lung or stomach injuries.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Fri, 30th Jul 2021