HSNO - Hazardous Substances and New Organisms
Within the Palmerston North City Council boundaries a range of substances are used in business, industry and agriculture as well as in private homes that are capable of causing damage to property, the environment and human health.
These substances are usually referred to as hazardous substances.
The Palmerston North District Plan describes the potential effect of hazardous substances to the following factors:
- Its hazardous characteristics, being whether it is toxic, ecotoxic, explosive, flammable, corrosive or oxidizing;
- The quantity and form in which it is used, stored disposed and transported;
- The method of management in terms of how it is used, stored, disposed and transported; and
- Its siting in relation to other hazardous substances and environmentally sensitive areas, for example residential areas and water bodies.
There exist a number of legislative requirements which deal with the safety aspect of hazardous substances which includes the following:
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 and Regulations;
- The Building Act 1991;
- The Radiation Protection Act 1955 and Regulations;
- The Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996;
- The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1922;
- The Animal Remedies Act 1967 and Regulations;
- The Land Transport Act 1993 and relevant New Zealand Standards
Under Sections 30 and 31 of the Resource Management Act of 1996, the primary responsibility of Palmerston North City Council is to mitigate any adverse effects that may result from the use, storage, disposal or transportation of hazardous substances. As a result Council maintains a Contaminated Sites Register as part of the Land Information Management database and ensures hazardous facilities are designed, contracted and managed in an approved manner.
In 2005 Council entered into a three year contract (06/09) with Department of Labour enabling Council to undertake compliance assessments in co-operation with Department of Labour staff in places of work. The primary intention of the contract is to increase the level of awareness of the requirements stipulated in the HSNO Act in businesses handling hazardous substances.
As part of the contract obligations Council officials are also required to attend LPG incidents and other gas incidents and report to Energy Safety Services (ESS). The above services cover Palmerston City Council, Horowhenua District and Manawatu District.
Hazardous Substances at Home and Public Places
Council is also obligated, under the HSNO Act, to administer the Act in public places and private dwellings. Everyday products we use at home can be hazardous and have the potential to cause harm to human health and the environment. Common household hazardous substances include:
- Solvents – Mineral Turpentine;
- Cleaning fluids – oven and drain cleaners and bleaching agents;
- Garden chemicals – herbicides, fungicides and pesticides;
- Paints – enamel based paints and surfaces coated with lead based paints;
- Dyes – textile and hair dyes;
- Adhesives containing solvents;
- Stored fuels – petrol and oil; and
- Old can batteries,
- Asbestos containing materials.
If you find a hazardous substance that has expired or is no longer in a suitable state to be used and disposal is the safest option, follow the guidelines for the disposal of hazardous waste.
Related Websites
Fireworks General Rules for Safe Retail Sale and Safe Handling
The selling of fireworks of classification 1.3G, 1.4G and 1.4S at retail outlets are regulated under the Hazardous Substances and Now Organisms Act and related Hazardous Substances (Fireworks) Regulations 2001.
You may only display fireworks for retail sale or sell them for four (4) days prior to and including Guy Fawkes Day. The period includes from 2 November to the close of 5 November.
The following general rules include:
- Fireworks may only be sold to persons aged 18 and over
- Sparkles can now only be sold in retail fireworks packages together with other fireworks
- They cannot be sold to the public unless tested and have a test Certifi9cate
- If you are handling 500kg (gross weight) or more of fireworks at any time, you will need to have an Approved Handler Certificate
- You may only hold up to 1,000kg (gross weight) of fireworks inside a retail premises. Quantities over 1,000kg trigger hazardous substance location and control zone controls
- A Test Certificate is required if you hold 10,000kg or more.
To obtain more information you can find the following documents on the ERMA website:
For a summary of the controls applicable to the retail sale of fireworks:
Your Guide to Selling Retail Fireworks
Access to the Code of Practice for retail Fireworks
Code of Practice for Retail Fireworks: Design, Performance, Testing, Storage, Transport, Sale and Use (Code Reference: HSNOCOP 18-1).
Disposal of LPG Cylinders
National Gas Ltd is able to carry out the disposal of un-wanted LPG cylinders at no charge to non-commercial entities.
They are situated at:
80 Waldegrave Street
Palmerston North
phone (06) 358 9895
You can also contact the local waste disposal contractors. You can find contact details in the Yellow pages.
Further information about Hazardous Substances
For the identification and removal of asbestos containing materials
Mid Central Health
Provider service for MidCentral and Whanganui District Health Boards.
Districts covered: Manawatu, Wanganui, Ruapehu
Public Health Unit
PO Box 2056
Palmerston North
Community Health Village
Palmerston North Hospital
Palmerston North
Tel (06) 350 9110
Fax (06) 350 9111
After hours (06) 350 8465
Environmental Risk Managed Authority (ERMA)
For more information on Hazardous Substances and the HSNO Act
http://www.ermanze.govt.nz
Palmerston North City Council
Contact the local HSNO compliance officer
Phone: (06) 356 8199
During business hours
The Department of Building and Housing
The government agency that looks after building issues related to the Building Act and the Building Code.
http://www.dbh.govt.nz/
New Zealand Chemical Industry Council
The New Zealand Chemical Industry Council (NZCIC) is a “not for profit” industry association responsible for implementing and promoting responsible Caretm, the international safety, health and environmental (SH & E) protection initiative practiced by the chemical industry in more than 45 countries worldwide.
http://www.nzcic.org.nz/
The National Poison Centre
The National Poisons Centre answers enquiries both from health professionals and from the general public concerning acute poisoning and the toxic effects of chemicals, which may be encountered in emergencies of any sort.
In addition to the emergency telephone service, general enquiries concerning potential toxic effects of chemicals encountered in occupational and other settings are answered from the computerised database along with other available literature sources. For 24 hour poisons advice, telephone 0800 POISON / 0800 764766.
TOXINZ Database
The TOXINZ database has been developed jointly with the University of Otago and the New Zealand National Poisons Centre.
http://www.toxinz.com
Energy Safety Services
Energy Safety is the government agency which monitors and encourages compliance with the laws rating to energy safety. The areas of the energy sector in which Energy Safety works, is within the fuel gas and electricity industries.
http://www.energysafety.govt.nz/