59036 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

59036 (2025). Hon Jan Tinetti to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What steps has WorkSafe New Zealand, if any, taken in the past 12 months to monitor compliance with the existing Workplace Exposure Standard for respirable crystalline silica in engineered stone fabrication businesses?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised that in the 12 months to 30 June 2025, WorkSafe inspectors visited 33 engineered stone fabrication businesses, during which they engaged with duty holders and workers to ensure obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to eliminate or minimise risks are being met (including from respirable crystalline silica). WorkSafe inspectors may also check how businesses verify the effectiveness of their controls, which businesses can demonstrate through exposure monitoring and with evidence they have acted on recommendations from an occupational health professional. WorkSafe inspectors do not monitor compliance with the workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica as it is not a mandatory legal limit but a guideline value that can be used to inform businesses’ risk management practices. When inspectors see instances of poor silica dust risk management, they educate the duty holder on good practices and may issue notices to require improvements to work practices or controls. I am further advised that WorkSafe plans to undertake assessment visits to 60 higher-risk engineered stone businesses this year.