The New Zealand workforce survey I: self-reported occupational exposures.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the prevalence of a range of occupational risk factors reported by a random sample of the New Zealand working population.


METHODS
Men and women aged 20-64 were selected from the New Zealand Electoral Roll and invited to take part in a telephone interview, which collected information on lifetime work history, current workplace exposures and organizational factors, and various health conditions. The prevalences of occupational risk factors in each occupational and industry group are reported.


RESULTS
Three thousand and three interviews were completed (37% of the eligible sample and 55% of those that could be contacted). Trades workers reported the highest prevalences of exposure to dust (75%) and oils and solvents (59%). Agriculture and fishery workers reported the highest prevalences of exposure to pesticides (63%) and acids or alkalis (25%). Plant and machine operators and assemblers reported the highest prevalences of exposure to smoke/fume/gas (43%), working night shift in the previous 4 weeks (18%), and working irregular hours (33%). In the high exposure occupational and industry groups, males reported a higher prevalence of exposure than females. Lifting, exposure to loud noise, and the use of personal protective equipment were reported by >50% of the manual occupational groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that occupational exposure to risk factors for work-related disease and injury remains common in the New Zealand working population. While these occupational exposures are disproportionately experienced by workers in certain industries, they also occur in occupational groups not traditionally associated with hazardous exposures or occupational disease.
Eng
Amanda
A
Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, Wellington Campus, Private Box 756, Wellington 6021, New Zealand. a.j.eng@massey.ac.nz
'T Mannetje
Andrea
A
Cheng
Soo
S
Douwes
Jeroen
J
Ellison-Loschmann
Lis
L
McLean
Dave
D
Gander
Philippa
P
Laird
Ian
I
Legg
Stephen
S
Pearce
Neil
N
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult