evatech

Safety Management Services
Nelson, New Zealand

"Dow AgroSciences have used Bruce and the services of Evatech ever since HSNO was introduced 5 or 6 years ago. We have developed an excellent working relationship with Bruce and he trains our staff as Approved Handlers and assesses our manufacturing site for the annual site Location Certificate. Bruce's extensive experience with agrichemicals has added a lot of value and he brings a commonsense approach with practical solutions to address compliance aspects."

Andrew Syme
ANZ Operations Leader
Dow AgroSciences

Government Compliance

 

Bruce has the necessary experience to advise and provide training and consultancy on these major pieces of Legislation:

 

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. (HSNO) 

The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act was passed originally in 1996 and is known as the principal Act, there are already many variations to the original. Then the Hazardous Substances Regulations came into effect on the 2nd July 2001. This was when the clock was set in motion after decades of law reforms, which changed the framework governing all chemical use in New Zealand.

The HSNO Act is having a big impact on the manufacture, transport, storage and use of all chemicals including agrichemicals. In particular, it will affect the majority of agrichemicals assessed as being potentially hazardous – directly or indirectly – to the environment, people and property.

The Act replaces the Explosives Act 1957, Dangerous Goods Act1974, Toxic Substances Act 1979, the Pesticides Act 1979,the Animal Remedies Act 1967, The Animal Acts 1967 and Plants Act 1970

The HSNO Act is designed to streamline the control of all hazardous substances and new organisms and to provide greater protection for the environment. The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) which was set up in 1996 administers the Act.

 

The Health and Safety in Employment Act. 1992 (HSE)

Is closely connected with the HSNO Act because hazardous substances are often found in the workplace. Controls set under the HSNO Act will be consistent with the requirements under the HSE Act to avoid, isolate and minimise any hazard in the work place. Significant additions to the HSE Act was enacted in May 2003; these require employers to consult more fully with their employees.

 

The Agricultural and Veterinary Medicines Act. 1997 (ACVM)

The Focus of this Act is to manage or prevent risks from the use of agricultural compounds or veterinary medicines, which might affect trade, animal welfare and biosecurity. The ACVM Act also deals with food residue standards and consumer information in respect of agricultural compounds. It ensures that users are provided with sufficient information to make informed decisions when buying products.

 

The Land Transport Act. 1998

New Zealand’s transport legislation follows international transport agreements in terms of managing the safety of transporting hazardous substances. The HSNO Act and land transport legislation set consistent controls on identifying and packaging substances, and for the skills that people handling these substances must have. For some substances there are additional requirements for tracking and handling and storage in transit. The Land Transport Rule (Dangerous Goods) 2005. Rule 45001/1 came into force on the 27th June 2005. The CVIU unit of the Police administers this new rule for road transport of Dangerous Goods and is equally important as HSNO for the road sector of the journey from supplier to user.

There have been some important changes made in the new rule to enable trained people to convey certain quantities of Dangerous Goods on the road. Talk to Bruce about Approved Handler status and “D” endorsement for drivers licences and road transport.

This legislation is also aided and abetted by the RMA, the Resource Management Act and associated District Plans. Talk to Bruce about how all these pieces of the jigsaw fit together.