Silica dust in the workplace

This guidance advises PCBUs of the risks of respirable crystalline silica dust and how to control them and protect their workers.

9.0 Airborne contaminants

Management and removal of asbestos

This Approved Code of Practice sets out WorkSafe New Zealand’s (WorkSafe) expectations about how to comply with asbestos health and safety law, including the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016.

8 key things for workers to know: Controlling silica dust in the workplace

This guide provides information on what businesses and workers can do to minimise the risks of silica dust.

Controlling dust with on-tool water suppression

This guidance advises PCBUs how to choose, use and maintain an on-tool water suppression system to control dust.

Engineered stone and exposure to respirable crystalline silica

The concentration of crystalline silica in engineered stone benchtops can lead to accelerated silicosis, a serious health condition that we are still learning about.

Health information for workers in the engineered stone industry

Find out if your health may have been affected by working with engineered stone.

Health information for PCBUs in the engineered stone industry

Guidance for businesses about accelerated silicosis in the engineered stone industry, and what WorkSafe's response will be in the coming months.

Maintaining air quality in enclosed cabins – for workers

This quick guide is for mobile plant and fixed plant control room operators and certain truck drivers. It explains some factors to consider when managing risks from poor quality air in enclosed cabins.

Industrial vacuums and portable extractors for hazardous dust

This guidance advises PCBUs how to choose, use and maintain industrial vacuums and portable extractors for controlling hazardous dust at work.

Working with silt or contaminated soil after a natural event or emergency

Always assume that debris and flood water (and therefore silt) is contaminated with farm run-off, chemicals, or sewage. Contaminated debris, flood water, and silt can make you sick.

Definitions and acronyms

Definitions of some key terms, concepts and acronyms used on this and other associated websites

What are carcinogens and airborne risks?

While doing their mahi/work, kaimahi/workers can encounter substances in the air they breathe that may pose a health risk.

Maintaining air quality in enclosed cabins – for PCBUs

This quick guide is for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU). It explains some factors to consider when managing risks from poor quality air in mobile plant cabins, fixed plant control rooms, and enclosed truck cabins.

Asbestos in the home

This information provides advice about what homeowners or residential tenants should do if they think there could be asbestos in their home or on their property.

Scaffolding in New Zealand

Advice on the safe design, use, and maintenance of scaffolding.

Safe work with precast concrete

These guidelines offer advice on the safe handling, transportation and erection of precast concrete elements.

WorkSafe Strategy

The WorkSafe strategy defines the wider health and safety at work system and reflects our role in the system, how we will undertake that role, where we will focus our effort, and how we will measure our impact.

General risk and workplace management - part 2

Part 2 of the guidance on the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.

Health and safety in welding

Guidance covering a range of topics including training and qualifications, fire and explosion prevention, local exhaust ventilation, and noise and vibration

Respiratory health and silica dust levels in the extractive industry

This report from 2003 brings together two separate but related investigations, the National Dust Project and the Respiratory System Survey, each of which were carried out as part of the day to day work of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH).

Silica-related health conditions in engineered stone workers: Information for medical practitioners

Information for medical practitioners to support their investigation or treatment of patients who work with engineered stone and have been exposed to high levels of respirable crystalline silica (RCS, or silica dust).

Dusty work and use of controls among construction workers

This study reports the results of a survey of construction workers in Waikato, who were asked about their use of dust control practices and their consideration of the risks from construction dusts.