Kia ora koutou 

I’m pleased to send you our latest updates about hazardous substances in this newsletter:

• Separation distances calculation tool 
• Updated hydrogen sulphide guidance
• Searchable workplace exposure standards and biological exposure indices information
• Carcinogens and airborne risks roadshows 
• Ethanedinitrile fumigant safe work instruments approved
• Compliance Certifier Reference Group established
• Learning pathway for compliance certifiers. 

Thank you for your continued mahi and support to improve the health of workers in New Zealand. 

Ngā mihi nui 

We have developed a tool to help businesses calculate the separation distances required for the hazardous substances they use, manufacture or store.

This tool is based on the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, which requires some hazardous substances to be separated from protected and public places by distances, based on the hazard classification of the substance, the quantity on site and the nature of the site.

We recently published updated guidance on preventing harm from exposure to hydrogen sulphide. Past incidents, such as the fatal chemical poisoning of a worker at Waste Management, highlighted the need for more awareness of the risks of exposure. 

The guidance provides information on the risks and effects of exposure to hydrogen sulphide, where it can be found and how to manage the risks. 

You can now find workplace exposure standards (WES) and biological exposure indices (BEI) information by using the new substance search tool on our website.

Digitising the WES and BEI special guide provides easier access to this critical information for health and safety professionals and businesses who need it for assessing health risks in the workplace.

To help businesses to identify and manage carcinogens and airborne risks to keep workers safe, we are taking a roadshow across New Zealand from September to November 2022.

These interactive roadshows have a focus on asbestos, silica dust, welding fume and wood dust, with the opportunity to engage with our team and subject matter experts.

The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Michael Wood, has approved two safe work instruments setting requirements under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) for work with the fumigant ethanedinitrile (EDN).

EDN is a potential replacement for many current uses of methyl bromide and has been approved as a fumigant for export logs and timber.

These safe work instruments are the first to set prescribed exposure standards and health monitoring requirements for a hazardous substance under the HSWA.

We have established a reference group of compliance certifiers as a proactive initiative to provide certifiers a greater voice on operational matters directly affecting their work.

Six compliance certifiers have been appointed to the group:

• Greg Quin, Approved Compliance Certifiers Limited
• Leigh-Anne Peake, QEC Limited
• Shirley Munro, Dangerous Goods Compliance Limited
• Janet Connochie, Chemsafety Limited
• John Hickey, Accreditation Limited
• Phil McMath, Evatech Solutions NZ Limited

The inaugural meeting of the group was held in July 2022, with future meetings to be held quarterly.

We have partnered with the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand, Hazardous Substances Professionals NZ, the NZ Institute for Hazardous Substances Management, and Massey University’s College of Health to develop a new learning pathway to help address a nationwide shortage of compliance certifiers.

The latest part of the learning, which launched last month, is three specialist online eLearning modules.

The role of compliance certifiers is an important part of ensuring hazardous substances in the workplace are safely handled and stored.

Fluazinam fungicide use

How fluazinam, a fungicide, is used in Aotearoa.