Boat builders' health at risk, says OSH

Nearly a third of boat builders suffer from a work-related health problem, says an audit by Occupational Safety and Health.

The survey, published in the latest New Zealand Medical Journal, found "further attention needs to be paid in terms of health surveillance and obligations under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992."

Workers in the industry are exposed to a variety of chemicals, including solvents, which can cause dermatitis and neurological conditions, and epoxy resins, which can cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

Twenty-two per cent of respondents said they had experienced wheezing in the past year and 14 per cent said the wheezing occurred during or immediately after work.

Over a quarter of boat builders said they had dermatitis, despite most saying they wore gloves. Of those, with dermatitis, 27 per cent thought it was work-related and 24 per cent thought it improved away from work.

While the report said the industry had the third highest number of chronic solvent neurotoxicity cases, it said none of those surveyed reported long-term effects.

However occupational medical specialist Bill Glass did not think this was reassuring because of the high rate of cases in the industry.

"There can in fact be little reassurance about such a situation given the poor recovery rate from this condition and the consequential damaging effects of such illnesses on the family and on the individual's own work future."

- NZPA