60200 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety

60200 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: What progress, if any, was made in the quarter April to June 2024 for ‘WorkSafe to develop a work-related cancer programme as part of the cancer action plan’ under Outcome 3: New Zealanders have fewer cancers, as part of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019 – 2029?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised that WorkSafe New Zealand developed the Carcinogens and Airborne Risks Programme to address work-related cancers, respiratory and other diseases. That programme was accepted in 2019 by the Ministry of Health and Te Aho o Te Kahu (the Cancer Control Agency) as the workplace component of Outcome 3: New Zealanders have fewer cancers, as part of the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019 – 2029. In the last quarter (April to June 2024), under the Carcinogens and Airborne Risks Programme WorkSafe has: • implemented a Health Assessment Resources Portal with resources for internal staff to support businesses to manage the risks from workplace carcinogens • progressed development of a health risk assessment tool to support businesses to identify and prioritise control of workplace carcinogens and other diseases • undertaken inspector visits to high-risk engineered stone businesses to ensure they are effectively managing the risk of cancers and respiratory disease in their workers • worked with Health New Zealand and Fire and Emergency New Zealand to develop a national asbestos protocol to assist government agencies manage roles and responsibilities when attending an asbestos incident or event to reduce the risk of exposure • analysed submissions after public consultation on four guidance documents to support building owners and homeowners manage asbestos in their workplaces or homes; the guidance was published in August 2024 • consulted publicly on revised workplace exposure standards for a number of airborne carcinogens and proposed lower more stringent exposure standards."