Over half of NZ workers exposed to carcinogens

Findings from a recent WorkSafe report may shed light on why cancer and respiratory diseases contribute to 70% of all work-related deaths in New Zealand

WorkSafe, in collaboration with the Occupational Integrated Database Exposure Assessment System (OccIDEAS) team and Research New Zealand, conducted the New Zealand Carcinogens Survey to estimate the current exposure to carcinogens among New Zealand workers.

Carcinogens are agents that, according to research, are known or likely to cause cancer in humans.

The recently published survey report found that:

• Over half (57.5%) of workers are probably exposed to at least one carcinogen at any level

• 3% are probably exposed to five or more carcinogens at any level

• Over half (53.1%) of workers are exposed to at least one carcinogenic agent at a low level

• Nearly three in ten (28%) workers are probably exposed to at least one carcinogen at a high level.

In New Zealand, carcinogens and airborne substances are probably associated with one-third of work-related harms. Cancer and respiratory diseases contribute to 70% of all work-related deaths.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), businesses have a responsibility to protect workers from this exposure.

Findings from the survey will support the Government Health and Safety at Work Strategy 2018–2028 and WorkSafe’s carcinogens and airborne risks programme.

View the full report