Kaitaia workers harmed by jobs

Kaitaia timber mill workers afflicted with a nasty rash have won recognition that their jobs harmed their health.

The workers have been judged eligible for ACC after a review of their cases ruled that they had suffered workplace injuries.

Two workers at Juken New Zealand's mill at Kaitaia, who had earlier been declined by ACC, are now entitled to receive cover. Authorities had previously said the rash was not work-related.

ACC says the new ruling could open the door for others who have previously been declined.

Distribution Workers Union lawyer David Fleming now wants other mill workers with skin complaints to come forward.

He believed about half of the 24 workers in the mill's lathe area had suffered skin conditions.

"Sufferers developed extremely itchy, raised rashes on exposed skin and on areas where irritants could get under their overalls, such as their neck and forearms."

Mr Fleming said a number of factors present in the mill were known to cause or aggravate dermatitis, including wood and metal dust, heat and humidity.

While ACC had earlier declined cover because no single cause could be identified, it had now accepted they were workplace injuries and was assessing entitlements.

ACC media adviser Fraser Folster confirmed that it had accepted claims from two mill workers for severe skin irritations. A third worker's claim for a similar injury was under "active consideration", but ACC would not comment on specific claims.

"However, the corporation will confirm that it has been approached during the past year by at least nine other timber workers from the JNL plant who had suffered similar skin irritations. Their claims for ACC cover have been declined, but may be able to be reconsidered if new medical evidence becomes available."

Mill assistant manager Vince Burgess said 200 people plus contractors worked at the five-year-old plant, where logs were peeled, sawn and dried in a chemical-free environment.

He said a company health consultant had made several recommendations for workers, mainly concerning personal hygiene for the body, clothing and home.

ACC cover

A person is potentially covered by ACC if injured by:

Inhaling or swallowing harmful substances on a specific occasion (whether at work or not).

Absorbing a harmful substance through the skin within the past month.

Gradually being exposed to something at work that has caused or contributed to the personal injury, but which is not found outside the workplace.

Source: ACC.

- NZPA