Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers
Advice for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers to keep themselves safe and healthy while in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Visit the doctor early
If you feel unwell you should visit a healthcare provider as soon as you can to:
- make sure your health does not get any worse
- stop your sickness spreading to other people
- treat your sickness early so you do not become sicker for longer.
Common diseases RSE workers may get
Flu (influenza)
RSE workers may be at increased risk of getting the flu as they are more likely not to be immune to strains of influenza present in New Zealand.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut, commonly called a tummy bug. When it is caused by food some people call it food poisoning. Bugs such as norovirus, rotavirus, salmonella, campylobacter and cryptosporidium can all cause gastro symptoms.
People working in the food industry are especially at risk of spreading the disease by contaminating food with dirty hands and potentially leading to an outbreak.
Diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis)
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is taken very seriously as it can be fatal. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria which mostly infect the lungs and spreads to other people through cough droplets from someone with infected lungs.
Even though RSE workers may have a clear chest x-ray before they arrive, many of them will carry the bacteria and may become sick after they arrive. They are not infectious unless they develop lung disease, which can be seen on a chest x-ray.
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever
Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are caused by a bacteria spread through contaminated food and water. They are responsible for outbreaks that involve contaminated fruit.
Typhoid fever can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an infectious liver disease caused by a virus that spreads through the poos (faeces) of infected people and can travel through contaminated water and food. It is rare in Aotearoa New Zealand, but more common in developing countries. People coming from these countries may already be infected with the virus.
Diseases spread by mosquitos
Diseases spread by mosquitos are rare in Aotearoa New Zealand as the mosquitos are not found here. These diseases are caught overseas, typically in tropical countries. These diseases cannot spread from person to person, or from contaminated food or water.
Common skin infections
Skin infections may start small but can become serious if left untreated. You should see a health provider as soon as you can to stop it becoming harder to treat and spreading to others.
People must not work in the horticulture or food industry with uncovered sores.
Preventing getting sick
There are simple things you and your whānau can do to stop the spread of infectious diseases and illnesses at home, school, or your workplace.
Healthy habits to stop the spread of illnesses
Spitting and coughing
Spit contains bugs, which can be passed around and diseases can spread. During coughing spit is sprayed over a large distance. To avoid the spreading of bugs from spitting and coughing there are 2 key messages.
- Do not spit in public — It puts others at risk. If you need to spit, use a tissue, throw it in the bin and wash your hands.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze — Use a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands.
Eating well
An important aspect of maintaining good health and wellbeing is healthy eating. Seasonal work is often energy demanding. To stay healthy workers should aim to eat a balanced diet.
- Eat home cooked foods instead of food which is already made ready to eat. It is cheaper and will save money.
- Water and milk are the healthiest drinks. Water should always be available to workers, especially in hot weather conditions.
- Limit fast foods to once a week.
- Eat a variety of foods including fruits and vegetables.
Food safety
Food can become contaminated by people who are unwell or who may be carrying bugs without showing symptoms. There are 4 simple rules to keep you safe.
- Always wash hands before handling any food and after touching raw meat.
- Keep kitchen surfaces clean by wiping benches and sweeping floors.
- Use hot soapy water to wash knives and utensils, and scrub chopping board between preparing raw and cooked food.
- Keep the fridge clean.
- Keep pets away from food and off benches.
- Use different sponges or cloths for the dishes, the bench and the floor.
- Defrost frozen foods thoroughly before cooking.
- Minced meat and sausages should be cooked right through (meat should not be pink) and pork and poultry juices should run clear.
- Never leave hot food to cool for more than 2 hours before putting in the fridge.
- Check the use by dates on packaged food.
- Do not reheat food more than once.
- Reheat leftovers until they are steaming hot right through to the middle.
- Eat leftovers within 2 days or throw them out.
- Stored food should always be covered, even in the fridge or cupboard.
- Keep raw meat and poultry covered in the bottom of the fridge and away from ready-to-eat food, fruit and vegetables to avoid meat juice drip.
- When cooking outdoors, make sure all food is covered and cool until ready to cook or eat.
- Make sure the fridge is between 2 and 4 degrees Celsius.
- Keep all perishable food in the fridge until ready to use.
- When picnicking, keep food cool by using a frozen chilly pad.
- Thaw frozen meat in the fridge not on the bench.
- Marinate food in the fridge, not on the bench.
- Never allow food to sit at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
Tips for healthy teeth
- Brush your teeth 2 times a day — use a toothpaste with fluoride.
- Limit sugary food and drinks — milk and water are the best drinks for healthy teeth.
- Be smokefree.
- Go to the dentist every year to catch and treat any problems early.
Find a dentist in your area on Healthpoint.
Smokefree
Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health. If you are ready to quit smoking there are many different options and products to help you quit and stay tobacco-free.
A lot of public areas are smokefree in Aotearoa New Zealand, including:
- schools
- sports fields
- playgrounds
- hospitals
- public buildings
- workplaces.
Safe sex
It is important to practise safe sex in Aotearoa New Zealand to protect yourself and others from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
Your guide to sexual health and STIs — Just the Factsexternal link
Sex and the law
In New Zealand it is illegal to:
- have sex with anyone under 16 years of age
- have sexual contact with a person without the other person's consent
- photograph or video any sexual activity without the other person's consent
- have sex with someone if you know you have an STI, unless you take steps to protect them.
Sex between people over 16 is legal when both people agree. A person cannot agree to sex if they are tricked, threatened, drugged or drunk
Alcohol and drugs
Employers may have an alcohol and drug policy advising you cannot use them while working. If there is a health and safety risk of being under the influence while working you may have to do an alcohol and drug test.
The legal age for drinking alcohol in Aotearoa New Zealand is 18.
Amohia te Waiora — We're stronger without alcoholexternal link
How drugs are dealt with depends on if the drug is legal or illegal. Most recreational drugs are illegal.