Hazards
New Zealand workers are still being diagnosed with asbestos related illnesses, many years after they were exposed. Many of these workers will die.
The Problem
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a silicate mineral, mined from the earth in much the same way as any other mineral. The wide use of asbestos over thousands of years is due to its resistance to heat and chemicals.
Chemicals which may pose a danger to health are classified by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and controlled by central and local government agencies under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.
Bullying is repeated and unwanted behaviour that causes the targetted person to feel humiliated or intimidated.
Bullying at work is a health and safety issue. The effects of bullying on the targetted person can include symptoms associated with stress.
Today many people work in the preparation and service of food in hotels, restaurants and fast food outlets. Others work in catering facilities, commercial kitchens and other food service facilities, such as those in hospitals or schools.
Workers in the construction industry face a number of health and safety hazards in their work sites everyday. These may include exposure to materials that can cause serious illness and affect the worker's health in the long–term. This fact sheet was prepared to draw your attention to the potential dangers of some common materials that you may be exposed to in your work.
Occupational skin diseases are a widespread problem. Despite numerous protective mechanisms, the skin remains vulnerable to new irritants found in the workplace.
The skin is a good protective cover but it can fail if the load put on it becomes too much. As a result, many workers in different occupations suffer from occupational skin diseases.
