NZ: Have Your Say on Workplace Exposure Standards

WorkSafe New Zealand is proposing changes to the workplace exposure standards (WES) of 34 substances and the biological exposure index (BEI) of one substance, and has opened a public consultation period.

WorkSafe NZ said a 2018 WES consultation period showed that many PCBUs have a poor understanding of how WES are applied, as well as a poor understanding of the importance of good exposure monitoring in health risk assessment

The regulatory body said there was also specific confusion concerning the proposed changes to hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide and synthetic mineral fibres.

What is a WES and BEI?

WES are levels of airborne substances it is expected most workers can tolerate repeated exposure to without coming to harm.

A BEI is a standard established for a specific substance that is then compared to biological monitoring in blood or urine. This is generally used for substances that can be readily absorbed through skin as well as inhaled.

WorkSafe NZ is also carefully considering the outcome of Safe Work Australia’s (SWA) recently commenced consultation in relation to WES for respirable crystalline silica and for respirable coal dust (see related article). SWA are proposing an 8-hour time-weighted average concentration of 0.02 mg/m³ for respirable crystalline silica.

Submissions close on 7 August 2019 and can only be submitted through this online form.

Substances up for review:

• Acetaldehyde
• Acrylamide
• Acrylonitrile
• Antimony trioxide
• 1,3-Butadiene
• n-Butyl acrylate
• n-Butyl glycidyl ether
• Carbon disulphide
• p-Dichlorobenzene
• Dichlorvos
• Dimethyl sulphate
• Epichlorohydrin
• Ethyl chloride
• Ethylene dibromide (1,2-Dibromoethane)
• Ethylene oxide
• Furfural
• Glutaraldehyde
• Styrene (BEI)

• Glycidol
• Hydrazine
• Malathion
• Maleic anhydride
• 2-Methoxyethanol
• 2-Methoxyethylacetate
• 4,4-Methylene dianiline
• Naphthalene
• Phenyl glycidyl ether
• Phthalic anhydride
• Propylene dichloride
• Pyridine
• Silica – quartz and cristobalite
• Sulphur dioxide
• Thiram
• Vinyl cyclohexene dioxide
• Wood dust (all)