NewsBrief
ISSUE No.42 - July 2003		TM

Are You Ready?

A mere nine months from now, the implementation of the Hazardous Substances legislation will reach a major milestone, namely the long awaited Transfer of Dangerous Goods
(Classes 1-5, 6, 8 and 9 Toxic Substances) into the HSNO regime. This will require Test Certificates for Approved Handlers and Locations to be in place to facilitate the progressive introduction of major changes in the way we manage Hazardous Substances in the Workplace.

During the seven years since the commencement of the HSNO Act 1996, Industry has experienced varying degrees of anxiety, trepidation, fear, nervousness, concern and yes, even boredom about the implications for Employers manufacturing, importing and supplying chemicals. The response to the thirteen Hazardous Substances Regulations has progressively become somewhat less gloomy, thanks largely to the NZCIC's initiative in providing Industry experts to analyse the impact of the new chemical management regime and identify potential problems. After assessing the proposed performance requirements and the practicalities of achieving them, the NZCIC endorsed changes which will streamline the administration of hazardous substances and reduce compliance costs.

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs has just announced measures designed to greatly simplify the HSNO Transfer Application and Approval process by giving greater discretionary powers to the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA NZ) to deal with low risk substances.
The Amendment will more quickly remove many of the irritating procedural and financial "HSNO roadblocks" bedeviling manufacturers and importers wishing to introduce new (and usually less hazardous) products (see following story).

There is however much still to be done before "H-Day" next April, particularly training and compliance requirements! Regrettably, the new Workplace Health and Safety (H&S) Representatives' training contains very little relevant information about chemical handling. The NZCIC is developing a one-day Chemical Awareness training package to complement the existing two-day Workplace H&S Representatives Course. The Council is also well advanced in identifying the scope and content of an Approved Handler training package which draws on existing training and resources where possible to minimize training requirements and the subsequent cost of obtaining the required qualifications.