Welcome to this issue of the hazardous substances newsletter.

• New hazard classification system
• GHS and the hazardous substances regulations
• Update to the hazardous substances calculator
• Consultations: Secondary containment guidance, three proposed SWIs and management of agrichemicals standard
• New edition of Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices guide
• Policy clarifications: existing LPG installations and public railways
• Roundup of recently published guidance

The seventh revised edition of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS 7) has been adopted as New Zealand’s official hazard classification system. It takes effect from 30 April 2021.

The GHS 7 is an international hazard classification system for chemicals created by the United Nations. The hazards are communicated on labels and safety data sheets including the safe way to store, use and dispose of chemicals.

Adopting the new classification system means:

• the existing HSNO hazard classification system will no longer be used
• the introduction of the Hazard Classification Notice 2020 incorporating the new GHS 7 classifications. A framework is established to classify substances that are hazardous to the terrestrial environment
• EPA notices and group standards have been updated to apply the new classification system.

The Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 will continue to refer to the HSNO classification system.

See Schedule 3 of the Hazard Classification Notice 2020 to compare a HSNO classification to its GHS equivalent.

We've recently made some improvements to the Hazardous Substances Calculator. 

These include:

• a new health risks tab with links to guidance on managing specific risks.
• location compliance certification for Class 6 and 8 substances now only applies to substances in storage. 

Future improvements

We're also working on adding GHS classification categories to the calculator. As we transition to GHS we'll still maintain the HSNO and GHS systems. If you need to enter the classification of a substance, you will have the option of using HSNO or GHS.

We're working on improving usability for farmers and growers so that:

• the calculator will be able to calculate the controls for farms correctly
• trade names for agrichemicals can be used. 

If you have any concerns using the calculator, or ideas for its improvement, you can contact us at info@worksafe.govt.nz.

We're seeking feedback on draft good practice guidelines, Secondary containment systems: Guidance for PCBUs.

These guidelines seek to address some of the secondary containment options a PCBU is likely to consider when developing a new site or making significant changes to an existing site.

Submissions close at 5 pm on 22 January. You can read the draft guidelines and find out more info on our website. 

Public consultation on three proposed safe work instruments (SWIs) relating to hazardous substances is now open.

We're inviting public comment on the proposed SWIs that will: 

• update the soil condition requirements for the fumigant AFE-HFP, and require the fumigant Tri-Form 80 to comply with the same requirements that apply to the similar fumigants AFE-HFP and Tri-Form 60
• remove the tracking requirement for the fuel NPD 100 PLUS, allowing the substance to be sold to the public
• require the pesticide Hercon Vaportape II Insecticidal Strips to be contained in either a sealed, unopened sachet or an airtight container during transport.

Deadline for submissions is 5 pm on 5 February.

NZS 8409:2004 provides practical and specific guidance on the safe, responsible and effective management of agrichemicals. This includes plant protection products (such as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), veterinary medicines, and agricultural use of detergents and sanitizers.

You can view or download the draft standard on the Standards New Zealand website.

The closing date for comments is 1 February.

Earlier in the year we consulted on proposed changes to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) of 18 substances and the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of four substances. We received nearly 100 submissions and the accepted changes are now published. 

The 12th edition of Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices is now available on our website.

Location compliance certificates (LCCs) for existing LPG installations

Some existing LPG installations are currently unable to be issued LCCs due to the transitional arrangements and separation distances in the Regulations having unintended compliance issues. MBIE is working to address this by making minor and technical amendments to the Regulations and we are supporting this work.

Our policy clarification: Existing LPG installations sets out our enforcement approach to existing LPG installations, and suppliers of LPG, while these amendments to the Regulations are being progressed.

Public railways as protected places

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, a ‘protected place’ includes a ‘public railway’.

We've published our policy clarification: Public railways making it clear what we mean by ‘public railway’ in the context of a ‘protected place’ under the Regulations.

We've released guidance documents on respiratory protective equipment, signage and service stations.

• Respiratory protective equipment: advice for businesses and advice for workers
• Hazard substances signage (PDF 197 KB)
• Keeping your service station compliant with the hazardous substances regulations