09 435 0423 
From December 1st there will be some changes required around the use of agrichemicals and other hazardous substances.
Under HSW employers have always been required to take all reasonable and practical steps to provide for the safe use of agrichemicals and these requirements centered on training and the use or PPE (personal protective equipment). This requirement sat alongside requirements under the HSNO (hazardous substances and new organisms act) in the use of hazardous substances. Needing to be an Approved handler was one requirement.
Agrichemicals are no longer under the control of HSNO so Approved Handler goes. People with existing AH certificates will be able to use them until they expire to meet the requirements set out in HSW act.
Certified Handler Training
Firstly those using very toxic agrichemicals (6.1a and b) will need to be a Certified Handler. This will involve more rigorous assessment than AH and possibly a site visit. These chemicals are not generally used currently by pastoral or horticulture activities.
Those using chemicals below this toxicity (which is most of us) require specified training or be under direct supervision of someone with that training. A Growsafe certificate meets the training requirement. An employer will also need to show what training those working under supervision have had.
Worksafe have signaled they expect a step up in training from the current regime. The Certified Handler will be more intense to complete than AH, the Growsafe requirement for whoever is responsible in the workplace will also involve a new Growsafe Standard certification which will replace the current Introductory Growsafe certification, and a new Growsafe Basic course will be introduced next year to meet the training requirements of those working under supervision.
Growsafe Certification
Staff Safe will be offering all Growsafe options except for Certified Handler. If you use 6.1a or b products and your AH is expiring we can advise you about how to get a Certified Handler. We will advise pricing early next year of our Growsafe courses and expect the Growsafe Basic course to be a cost effective and appropriate way to meet your training requirements for those working under supervision.
In addition to the training requirements set out by Worksafe for toxic chemicals, those using exotoxic chemicals (most common chemicals) will be required by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to be a ‘Qualified Person’. Growsafe Standard is being developed to meet this requirement. All existing Growsafe certification and AH certification will meet both Worksafe and EPA requirements until they expire.
Hazardous Substance Register
It has always been good practice to keep a hazardous substance register and those who use our health and safety plans will have one. As of December 1st it will be a legal requirement. Your register must include
- Product name and UN number or HSR number (these can be found on the second page of a label generally and also on the Haznote)
- Maximum quantity likely to be held
- Location eg chemical shed
- Any specific storage or segregation requirements (not general segregation eg away from foodstuffs)
In addition to this register you need to have safety data sheets or haznotes for each substance. You can obtain these from the website of the chemical manufacturer. You could try asking your supplier but I am not sure how you will get along there.
| Date | Course Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 21 May 2019 | 4x4 day 1 units | Waiare Road |
| 22 May 2019 | Growsafe Renewals | Whangarei |
| 23 May 2019 | Growsafe Standard | North Shore |
| 29th May 2019 | Growsafe Workshops | Dargaville |
| 30th May 2019 | Growsafe Renewals | North Shore |
| 4th June 2019 | LUV 1 Day | Warkworth |
| 5th June 2019 | Chainsaws and Tractors | Waitapu Road |
| 6th June 2019 | 4x4 Day 2 | Kaitaia |
| 7th June 2019 | 1 day Hydralada for new pickers | Far North |
| 19th June 2019 | Growsafe Conference | Wellington |
| 26th June 2019 | 4x4 Day 2 | Okaihau |
| 3 July 2019 | Standard Growsafe | Whangarei |
| 10 July 2019 | Standard Growsafe | North Shore |
| 31 July 2019 | Standard Growsafe | Waiheke Island |
| 6 November 2019 | Standard Growsafe | Whangarei |
| 27 November 2019 | Standard Growsafe | North Shore |
How We Can Help
- Above is an example of an inventory. You can download our Hazardous Substance Inventory Register Template.
- If you want us to complete one for you at a Health and safety plan review, there will be no extra charge.
- Email us a list of your hazardous substances and we can complete the register for you for $50 plus GST.
