Some Crucial Issues Concerning the Safety Provided by Occupational Health Standards

Abstract

Traditionally occupational health standards for chemicals and other hazards in the workplace have been established by "expert committees" with no involve1nent of the victims of the effects of the hazards, namely the workers themselves. This has led to standards that do not protect workers against all ill effects. The example of trichloroethylene is typical. The New Zealand standard lags behind the World Health Organisation and Swedish standards. Workers have a moral right to be involved in the standard setting and the enforcement procedures. The crucial issue for them is the definition of the "acceptable risk" for a particular hazard, as they are putting their own health at stake. It is 34 years since Sweden established the system of workers health and safety representatives in all workplaces and in government agencies dealing with occupational health. Maybe it is time for New Zealand to follow this example.