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Hazardous
Substances

Hazardous Substances Reforms

On 1 December 2017 the rules around managing hazardous substances in the workplace transferred from the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) to the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations. You can find out more about what’s changed and how it might affect you on the WorkSafe New Zealand website.

Hazardous substances
WorkSafe Hazardous Substances Certification

The safety environment, requires a more intensive certification process to ensure safe storage of these goods. We specialise in providing plans for businesses that require certification for the hazardous substances on their premises. The new 2017 regulations for Hazardous substance certification require an additional number of items making previous site plans obsolete.

 

Further to the above there may be other items required depending on the hazardous substance and its class. Contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss your requirements.

A site plan now needs to show:

  • Hazardous Zones.
  • Control Zones.
  • Other Site/s in relation to legal boundaries.
  • Distances to other hazardous substances.
  • Fire control systems.
  • Assembly points.
  • A direct and accurate representation of the site and buildings.
  • Elevation views of the hazardous storage site and zones.
  • Relevant information regarding the substance requiring Location Compliance.
  • Distances to 'public' and 'protected' spaces.
  • Must be drawn to scale.
  • Must show North and correctly show site in relation to North.
What is a hazardous substance?

The term hazardous substance refers to any product or chemical that has properties that are explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic, corrosive or toxic to the environment.

  • Explosive – explodes or causes explosion.
  • Flammable – ignites easily and burns rapidly.
  • Oxidising – could be gaseous, solid or liquid and can cause or intensify fire and explosion.
  • Toxic – can harm people if it enters the body through contact, being inhaled or ingested. The effects can range from mild to life threatening, and can be immediate or long term.
  • Corrosive – can cause severe skin burns and eye damage.
  • Ecotoxic – is toxic to the environment.
Classifications

The hazardous properties of a substance are classified to determine how the risks can be managed. There are eight key hazard classes:

  • Class 1: explosives
  • Class 2: flammable gases
  • Class 3: flammable liquids
  • Class 4: flammable solids
  • Class 5: oxidising substances
  • Class 6: substances toxic to people
  • Class 8: corrosive substances
  • Class 9: substances toxic to the environment

(Class 7 is missing as it covers radioactive materials which are regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 2016.)

Locations – Class 3.1
Locations where class 3.1 substances are present [Regulation 10.34, Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]
Conditions: The certification of locations where class 3.1 substances are present is authorised for storage in above ground stationary container systems only.

Locations – Classes 6 or 8
Locations where classes 6 or 8 substances are present [Regulation 13.38, Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]
Conditions: The certification of locations where classes 6 or 8 substances are present is authorised for storage in above ground stationary container systems only.

Stationary Container Systems – Installation
The installation of Stationary Container Systems [Regulation 17.91(2)(b), Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Stationary Container Systems – Transfer Point pipework
Stationary Container Systems that include transfer line between ship and stationary tank [Regulation 17.91(2)(i)(iii), Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Stationary Container Systems – Repair, Alteration and Maintenance
The repair, alteration and maintenance of Stationary Container Systems including above ground or below ground tanks [Regulation 17.91(2)(l), Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

Existing Stationary Container Systems –Compliance Plan
Existing Stationary Container Systems for which a compliance plan is in effect [Regulation 17.91 and Schedule 1 Clause 45, Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017]

We use an extensive range of modern techniques and procedures applicable to your industry sector to help you achieve total plant integrity.

If you would like to find out more about our services, or you have an opportunity for Design Engineering to assist with your engineering service requirements on any given project, and/or require a free quotation, please contact us