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Hazardous materials & substances Stories - Page 3

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Hazardous materials & substances stories

$15k fine for unlicensed asbestos removal
Law

$15k fine for unlicensed asbestos removal

WorkSafe said workers were exposed to dangerous fibres after friable asbestos was stripped from a Queenstown property without a licence or safety plan.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Tue, 17th Nov 2020
Scaffold worker suffers chemical burns
Risk & Compliance

Scaffold worker suffers chemical burns

A communication failure left scaffold workers exposed to caustic soda vapour, causing chemical burns and triggering more than GBP £300,000 in fines.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 6th Nov 2020
Affco fined $46,000 for failing to control risks
Risk & Compliance

Affco fined $46,000 for failing to control risks

WorkSafe says the penalty follows a preventable eye injury that left a worker needing emergency cardiac surgery after animal-borne infection.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Sun, 2nd Aug 2020
Company fined $108,000 for demolishing building with asbestos
Risk & Compliance

Company fined $108,000 for demolishing building with asbestos

Asbestos risks were ignored during demolition, leaving workers and the public exposed and prompting a NZD $108,000 court penalty.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Thu, 6th Feb 2020
Just how dangerous are welding fumes?
Health and Safety

Just how dangerous are welding fumes?

Employers in Australia and New Zealand are being urged to tighten protections, after studies linked welding fume to a 43% higher lung cancer risk.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Mon, 9th Dec 2019
Asbestos went undetected in botched demolition
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos went undetected in botched demolition

Neighbours were endangered and a wheelchair user trapped when a demolition error caused a gas leak and asbestos exposure risks.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Tue, 10th Sep 2019
Protecting workers from carcinogens and work-related cancer
Health and Safety

Protecting workers from carcinogens and work-related cancer

Nearly 80,000 workers die each year in the EU from carcinogen exposure, much of it preventable with better controls and training.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 14th Jul 2019
Health risks of dust and silica
Risk & Compliance

Health risks of dust and silica

Construction workers face a hidden lung-disease threat as poor dust controls and weak monitoring leave many exposed to silica and wood dust.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Wed, 3rd Jul 2019
140 litre LPG leak could have been deadly
Risk & Compliance

140 litre LPG leak could have been deadly

Six workers were put at risk after 140 litres of LPG escaped at a Taranaki gas station, prompting fines for three firms.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Sun, 28th Apr 2019
Deadly dangers of organic solvents
Risk & Compliance

Deadly dangers of organic solvents

Poor ventilation and missing protective gear left workers exposed to solvent vapours that can cause unconsciousness and death in minutes.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 31st Mar 2019
Exposure to pesticides and metals linked to heightened heart disease risk
Health and Safety

Exposure to pesticides and metals linked to heightened heart disease risk

Higher odds of coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation were found among Hispanic/Latino workers exposed to metals or pesticides at work.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 3rd Mar 2019
New measures needed to protect port workers opening fumigated containers
Health and Safety

New measures needed to protect port workers opening fumigated containers

Ports are missing basic checks and labels, leaving workers exposed to toxic fumigants inside freight containers, EU-OSHA warns.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 6th Jun 2018
Asbestos removal not just a risk for the worker
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos removal not just a risk for the worker

WorkSafe says poor asbestos controls can expose neighbours and visitors, after a New Plymouth remover was fined GBP £35,000 for unsafe work.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Wed, 23rd May 2018
Asbestos regulations now in full effect
Risk & Compliance

Asbestos regulations now in full effect

Businesses handling asbestos now face stricter duties, with management plans, training and independent air checks compulsory under new rules.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 17th Apr 2018
Deadly reminder that lead exposure kills – even years later
University of Otago

Deadly reminder that lead exposure kills – even years later

Even low blood lead levels may drive a third of premature cardiovascular deaths in the US, a new study suggests.

By Michael Curreen • 6 min read • Tue, 27th Mar 2018
Inspection doors protect in harsh environments
Oil and Gas

Inspection doors protect in harsh environments

Harsh-environment enclosures could last longer, with the GRP frame resisting corrosion and cutting condensation around critical kit.

By Geoff • 3 min read • Thu, 19th Oct 2017
New research shows surge in outdoor smokefree action
University of Otago

New research shows surge in outdoor smokefree action

Councils and businesses are widening smoke-free zones across New Zealand, as researchers say current laws are lagging behind overseas standards.

By Geoff • 2 min read • Mon, 9th Oct 2017
Cleaner air for Manukau precast concrete workers
Risk & Compliance

Cleaner air for Manukau precast concrete workers

Nearly 1,000 workers in Manukau precast concrete plants now have better protection from airborne hazards after a WorkSafe New Zealand drive uncovered gaps.

By Geoff • 3 min read • Mon, 11th Sep 2017
New meter measures electromagnetic fields
Wireless Networks

New meter measures electromagnetic fields

Occupational safety teams can now check three field types with one pocket-sized device, cutting the kit needed for EMF inspections.

By Geoff • 2 min read • Sun, 3rd Sep 2017