50400 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

50400 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Does she agree with Canadian Professor Xavier Trudel, senior author of a recent study on atrial fibrillation (published in the Journal of the American Heart Association), found that work-related stress can double the risk of a potentially deadly irregular heartbeat; if so, what, if anything, will she do to address this?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised by WorkSafe New Zealand that this study on atrial fibrillation and many others help focus its attention on the significant damage to both physical and mental health that can result from exposure to negative stress and other work-related factors. Businesses have a responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to identify and assess the risk of such exposure amongst their workers and to eliminate the exposure so far as is reasonably practicable. If it is not feasible to eliminate the risk of exposure, they must manage the risk. WorkSafe has guidance to support businesses to manage these risks. https://www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/work-related-health/mental-health/.