Hazardous Substances

Everyday throughout the Southland District, many chemical products are used that can harm people, the environment and property. These products are called hazardous substances and Council has a responsibility to monitor the use and storage of such substances.

At work

Hazardous substances at work are regulated by the Department of Labour

At home

For most household cleaners, detergents and pesticides, providing you follow the instructions on the label and packaging on how to use and dispose of the products, you should be meeting the requirements of the HSNO Act.

However, if you have one of the following products, you may need a little more information:

Swimming pool chemicals: Most domestic swimming pool chemicals do not need any special training or certification requirements BUT it is important that you:

• Read all of the instructions carefully, especially on how to use them, and where and how you can store them safely.
• Avoid having more than you need
• Always keep them locked up away from children and sources of ignition, such as electricity or flammable substances.
• Talk to your supplier if you need more information on the specific products that you are using.

LPG gas bottles: Refer http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/hs/compliance/guides/lpgusers.html

Petrol: Containers of petrol must be stored properly and safely. If you have more than 50 litres of petrol (not including what is in your car), you will need to have a Location Test Certificate. Only store what you need to use and keep below the limit, unless you get a Location Test Certificate.

Divers: If you have tanks for diving:

• Ensure they are within their test period. Your local dive shop will check this each time they are filled.

• If you fill your own tanks, you must be an Approved Filler and ensure the tanks you fill are within the test period. You should also make sure your filling equipment is well maintained and the quality of the compressed air is checked reqularly (note that filling equipment and air quality is not controlled under the HSNO Act).

Who to contact

Hazardous Substances Officer
Michael Sarfaiti
Phone 0800 732 732 ext 3191.

Disposal of Hazardous Substances

(i) Emergency spills

Phone the Environment Southland Pollution hotline: 0800 768 845

(ii) Domestic and/or small quantities of hazardous substances (less than 20kg)

Dispose of at a hazardous waste storage shed at a Council transfer station. Contact Water and Waste Water Services if you have any queries.

(iii)

• Commercial and/or large quantities of hazardous substances (more than 20kg)
• Agrichemicals
• Explosives, extinguishers, gas cylinders, paint, asbestos, used oil, batteries, smoke alarms, treated timber, fluorescent tubes

Refer to the A to Z Waste Guide for a list of professional chemical collectors:
http://www.wastenet.org.nz/Tools/DirectoryHome.aspx

(iv) General hazardous waste queries

Contact the Hazardous Waste Officer at Environment Southland.

More Information

Information sheets

Agrichemical Spraydrift

All About Asbestos

Removing Asbestos from the Home

Lead and Lead Poisoning

Repainting Lead Based Paint

 

Links

The Environmental Risk Management Authority administers the HSNO Act, the principal piece of legislation that regulates hazardous substances. Their website has lots of useful information, including a substance search:

The Department of Labour Website has a huge range of publications on hazardous substances.