Sawmill Workers’ Service

The Sawmill Workers’ Service is designed to assess the health needs of former sawmill workers who were exposed to pentachlorophenol (PCP) at sawmills during 1950s to 1980s, and to help them access services to support their wellness.

Eligibility for the Sawmill Workers’ Service is on the basis that an individual worked in a place at a time when exposure is likely to have occurred. People are eligible if they:

• worked in a sawmill where PCP was used; AND
• worked in jobs that used PCP chemicals, or if they came into contact with PCP baths/tanks, or if they worked with timber that was still wet from the PCP treatment process; AND
• worked in these jobs for at least one year; AND
• are eligible to use publicly funded health services in New Zealand (eg, New Zealand citizens).

To apply for the Sawmill Workers’ Service, please read the patient factsheet and complete the application form below. For further information, or if you have any questions about the Sawmill Workers’ Service, please email HSS@allenandclarke.co.nz or call 0800 288 588.

Please note, while the annual health check is covered in the Sawmill Workers’ Service, patients will need to pay the usual cost to access any referred services.

Patient Factsheet – About the Sawmill Workers’ Service [PDF, 316 KB]

Application Form – Application for the Sawmill Workers’ Service [DOCX, 255 KB]

Factsheet for Health Providers – About the Sawmill Workers’ Service [PDF, 321 KB]

Health Provider Guidance – Undertaking health checks in the Sawmill Workers’  [PDF, 354 KB]

For former sawmill workers who may have been exposed to PCP and other hazardous chemicals, and who are living in the Bay of Plenty.

Bay of Plenty facilitation service - NASH (external link)