Reducing work-related ill health is a priority for WorkSafe. We have specialists in a range of work health and safety fields who support businesses to manage work-related health risks, and use a range of insights to inform that work.

One insight that helps WorkSafe target our interventions is approximately 900 notifications we receive each year about work-related health concerns. A specialist team reviews those notifications and may follow up if the situation warrants further action. Read more about when we intervene. 

In the 12 months between July 2022 and June 2023, we received 906 health notifications: 642 were for a physical health condition, and 264 were related to mentally healthy work concerns.

Who notifies us

Kaimahi and the public

We receive a number of notifications from kaimahi and concerned members of the public, including health professionals.

Businesses

Required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 to notify us of certain illnesses or injuries.
 
Read more about what events need to be notified

Medical Officers of Health in Te Whatu Ora

Required to notify us of certain health conditions, under section 199 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, if they reasonably believe those conditions arose from work.
 
Read about notifying occupational disease or illness

Summary of health notifications  

Half (51%) of the notifications in 2022-23 were for a chemical exposure (458) with lead, chemical injuries and carbon monoxide exposures being the most common types of notification in this category.

Exposure to mental health risks (such as bullying, harassment and work-related stress) made up 29% (264) of notifications.

Biological exposures accounted for 20% (178) of notifications. Leptospirosis, campylobacteriosis and cryptosporidiosis were the most common types of notification in this category.

Less than 1% of notifications were for a work-related musculoskeletal health risk (such as heavy lifting, repetitive work, or unsafe work postures) or a physical exposure (such as noise, vibration, or UV solar radiation), with 3 notifications in each category.

Notification by type 2022-2023

Across the four physical health exposure types, the five most common notifications were for lead exposure (71%), leptospirosis (12%), chemical injuries (4%), campylobacteriosis (4%), and carbon monoxide exposure (2%).

Notifying WorkSafe 

We continue to improve our notifications process and to build the resources available for businesses to address work-related health concerns.  

If you have a concern about an unsafe or unhealthy work situation, you can raise a health or safety concern with WorkSafe.