Here are some key things you need to know to manage your hazardous substances safely.
New Zealand has adopted a new classification system for hazardous substances under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO). This new system is the Globally Harmonised System (GHS). In effect, there is no change to the system used under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA).
Hazardous substances are widely used across New Zealand workplaces, so it’s important to know the risks and how to protect people from harm. This brochure explains ten key things you need to know and do.
You must keep an inventory of all of your hazardous substances used, handled, manufactured or stored in the workplace, including hazardous waste.
Obtain a safety data sheet for all hazardous substances in your workplace. Safety data sheets are a key source of information about how to manage your hazardous substances.
It is important to manage the risks associated with hazardous substances and to review what you have in place to keep people healthy and safe. Eliminate the risk if this is reasonably practicable; and where it’s not, minimise it.
Workers must know how to safely use, handle and store the hazardous substances in their workplace.
You should be managing your risks to avoid an emergency, but it’s equally important to plan for one. There are specific requirements for this.
Make sure the hazardous substance containers in your workplace are labelled, including process vessels, as well as maintaining the labels on hazardous substances supplied to you.
Signs are an important part of hazardous substances management. Signs allow people to approach the site and buildings with appropriate care.
You must store your hazardous substances safely to protect yourself and your workers.
Most of the rules that apply to managing hazardous substances in the workplace also apply to hazardous waste.
This quick guide provides information on needing certified handlers to handle certain hazardous substances, and information on what to do to become a certified handler.
Some substances are so hazardous they must be tracked at all times.
The Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 require some hazardous substances to be separated from protected and public places by separation distances.
Secondary containment is an extra safety measure to avoid pollution of the environment or harm to people or property in case there is a spill or leak from a container or tank.
