|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you prepared for an emergency?
|
|
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) and supporting regulations every workplace needs to have an emergency plan in place. Your plan must include:
- processes for evacuating staff
- processes for notifying emergency services
- information about how people will get medical treatment and assistance
- how staff will be communicated with and by whom.
If your workplace has hazardous substances you may also need other things in place depending on the hazardous properties of the substances stored and the amounts you have onsite. For example, you might need fire extinguishers or an emergency response plan in place.
You can use the Hazardous Substances Calculator to work out how many fire extinguishers are needed and if you need an emergency response plan.
Contents of your plan
If you are required to have an emergency response plan it must cover all of the likely emergencies that could involve your hazardous substances and who will do what in the event of an emergency. You need to plan how you will warn people at the workplace and nearby about the emergency and what you will do to limit its effects to prevent it from becoming more dangerous. This plan needs to be tested every year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hazardous substances consultation open for feedback
|
|
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has opened a consultation process on a discussion document about effectively regulating the health and safety risks of toxic or flammable refrigerant gases.
Toxic or flammable refrigerant gases are expected to be used more often in the future as New Zealand transitions away from using hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. HFCs are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential and are widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
The discussion document sets out a number of proposals that aim to reduce the likelihood of harm to people and property from these refrigerants. The consultation gives people and businesses a way to engage with government on this topic and to provide ideas and feedback about the issues discussed.
If you have any questions about the process, please email HSWRegs@mbie.govt.nz
The closing date for submissions is 5pm, Friday 14 December.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|