12. BOB CLARKSON (National—Tauranga) Link to this
to the Minister for Building and Construction
Will he support an inquiry into the use of tin-based timber treatment, noting the reports of builders coughing up blood, and suffering headaches, rashes, and nose bleeds; if not, why not?
Hon SHANE JONES (Minister for Building and Construction) Link to this
I am advised by the Department of Building and Housing that investigations are under way in consultation with appropriate agencies. I assure the member that the Government takes health and safety issues seriously.
Why does the Government continue to allow the use of tributyltin naphthenate treatment of timber when the Australian Government notes that it is toxic and has a chemical burning property, and when the US National Safety Council does not allow its use, and there are more modern preservatives, like azole, that will do the job just as effectively?
Considerations of solvent abuse aside, as I said there are three agencies. Let me outline them. There is the Environmental Risk Management Authority, obviously, which dealt with the quality of the material the member refers to; the Occupational Safety and Health Service, in terms of safety and health; and the Minister’s department, the Department of Building and Housing, which deals with the building industry. All those agencies have been summoned together to deal with the issues the member has outlined, and if the member has further information I will gladly receive it.
Lesley SoperIs the Minister aware of any steps taken to educate builders about the safe handling of treated timber?
Yes. The department has published a booklet entitled Timber Treatment, which provides guidance on how to handle treated timber safely. I am advised that the booklet has been distributed to over 100,000 people who work in the industry. The department also recently published a safety code in the department sector magazine in the May-June issue. The member has raised a number of very important issues. He has written to the Environmental Risk Management Authority, he has written to the Occupational Safety and Health Service, and he has written to my officials. Rest assured that we will deal with the issue.
Why has the Government made the timber treatment standard so complicated resulting in the use of unsafe chemicals, and why does he not give it a good dose of the “kiss” principle—keep it simple, stupid?
Given that we are talking about people’s well-being, I will eschew any references to mirrors in relation to that member. I am advised that the treatment has been approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority in terms of it being dealt with in an appropriate handling regime manner. But the member has raised a very good question, and officials will be looking at it. Mr Clarkson is welcome to bring any additional information to me or indeed to come and see me.
Does the new Minister intend to act quickly so that the carpenters can stop coughing up blood, or is he going to drag this out like the previous Minister, Mr Clayton Cosgrove?
I repeat that I look forward to Mr Clarkson bringing any information that will expedite the settlement of these problems. It is an extraordinary allegation to make that any official in the department will not treat this matter with the urgency it desires; and given the member’s much-vaunted background in the sector, I look forward to hearing from him.
Does the Minister think that someone has made a blunder when it is recommended by the timber treatment processors that carpenters should wear overalls, rubber gumboots, rubber gloves, a head cover, and a respirator; and will we end up with “ninja” carpenters?
The president of the Registered Master Builders Federation of New Zealand has pointed out that this particular problem is actually diminishing, and indeed Mr Clarkson has probably been told that. If he has any additional information that will help in an examination of the issues, would he please come and see the responsible Minister.