A new umbrella association for workplace health and safety professions in New Zealand has been established. The Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ) was launched on 10 September 2014 in Auckland by George Adams, Chair of the Independent Forestry Safety Review and of the Occupational Health Advisory Group set up by WorkSafe NZ. …
Future of Christchurch rebuild revealed
The future of the Christchurch rebuild has been revealed, with a new agency – called Regenerate Christchurch – overseeing the next phase of the reconstruction. Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel have unveiled details of the new plan in Christchurch this morning, which is designed to replace the Canterbury Earthquake …
Tests reveal asbestos in New Zealand crayons
Two of New Zealand’s biggest arts and craft retailers have pulled crayons containing asbestos from shelves. The clearout comes after Government testing identified asbestos in three of 21 randomly selected crayon products. However, authorities stress the risk to consumers is expected to be low. The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery, owned by The Warehouse Group, removed …
Health and safety legislation
The Health and Safety Reform Bill passed its third reading at parliament on 27 August 2015. The Bill creates a new Health and Safety at Work Act, which will come into force on 4 April 2016. The new law will be supported by regulations that are being developed in time for April 2016. The 1992 …
Government to halt asbestos and HCFC imports
The Government will soon move to stop remaining imports of products with asbestos content, Environment Minister Nick Smith announced today. It also intended to ban the import of new bulk hydrochlorofluorocarbons, another substance with known risks to both the environment and human health, Smith said. “Asbestos use is still killing 250 New Zealanders per year …
Pacific region awash with asbestos
For the first time, authorities in the Pacific now have an idea of just how much asbestos there is in the region, and are trying to work out how to get rid of it before it becomes a health risk. survey has found that some South Pacific countries are awash with the hazardous building material …