Chemical work touches every part of operations, from maintenance to R&D to cleaning. Getting it right protects people, uptime and reputation.
This guide explains the importance of chemical safety, what good practice looks like under the local law, and how to reduce risk with simple, workable controls.
What “chemical safety” means for your business
Everyday decisions that control real risks: Chemical safety is the set of practices that identify hazards, reduce exposures, and prepare people to respond when things go wrong.
In workplaces, duties sit under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 and related notices, alongside EPA classification and labelling rules. WorkSafe enforces downstream use, storage and handling, while the EPA sets upstream rules and approvals.
GHS 7 classification, labels and SDS: New Zealand adopted GHS 7 via the Hazard Classification Notice 2020, in force 30 April 2021. The four-year transition in labelling, SDS and packaging ended on 30 April 2025. Suppliers must now meet the updated notices in full.
Hazard is not the same as exposure: A substance can be hazardous, yet risk depends on dose, duration and route. Use Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEI) as risk criteria in assessments; the 15th edition has been effective since February 2025.
Effect of chemical safety on workers, business uptime & cost control
1) Prevent injuries and fatalities
Farming and vehicles remain leading contributors to fatalities. News reports highlighted that farming accounted for about 40% of reported workplace deaths in a recent year, underscoring the need for robust controls, including for hazardous chemicals like fertilisers.
2) Reduce unplanned downtime
Exposure incidents trigger evacuations, investigations and rework. Planning for controls and emergencies under the Hazardous Substances Regulations, such as signage, storage, training and emergency response plans, keeps operations moving.
3) Control total cost of risk
Analyses put the national economic burden of workplace harm at about $4.9b in 2023, with the opportunity to save billions through stronger prevention. Longer-term WorkSafe estimates also attribute ~$2b annually to work-related ill health. Prevention protects margin and reputation.
What makes a chemical safety program effective
1) Build and maintain a live chemical inventory and SDS library
- Keep an up-to-date hazardous substances inventory/register linked to current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in 16-section format. Using a centralized, digital SDS system with version control and mobile access makes SDS management easier.
- Importers or manufacturers must review and reissue SDS at least every 5 years, and PCBUs must obtain and make current SDS readily accessible at work.
2) Labelling workers can act on fast
- Labels must follow GHS 7 with product identifier, signal word, hazard and precautionary statements, pictograms and supplier details.
- The transition has ended, so labels must now comply with the consolidated Labelling Notice; overseas labels/SDS can be used if NZ-specific information is added under alternative compliance provisions.
3) Hierarchy-first controls
Start with elimination or substitution, then engineering controls such as enclosures and local exhaust ventilation (LEV), administrative controls, and finally PPE as the last line. Training and supervision duties for PCBUs are explicit in the Regulations.
4) Storage and segregation that prevent escalation
Segregate incompatibles, minimise flammable storage in workrooms, and keep clear access. Signage is required above specified thresholds, must be in plain English, legible at ≥10 m, and include “HAZCHEM” for relevant classes. Maintain and update signs when quantities or hazards change.
5) Training Your Team on Chemical Hazards
Provide task-specific information, instruction and training before workers handle hazardous substances, keep training records, and refresh after changes. Pair short learning with drills to lock in response steps.
6) Exposure monitoring and health monitoring when required
Use personal air monitoring to verify control against WES/BEI and adjust controls if results trend high. WorkSafe emphasises WES as guidance values to be applied by competent practitioners during risk assessment.
7) Emergency planning, spill response and reporting
Laboratories must have an emergency response plan regardless of quantity; other workplaces require plans when thresholds are exceeded. Base spill response on SDS instructions and integrate with sitewide plans.
8) Continuous improvement: audits, near-misses and metrics
Review near-misses, incident investigations and sampling data. Track SDS updates completed, training completion, LEV examinations and closed corrective actions to show progress and ROI. Use the Hazardous Substances Calculator to check controls and thresholds.
Rules you must track in 2024–2026
GHS 7 is the baseline. Classification moved to GHS 7 on 30 Apr 2021; the transitional period ended 30 Apr 2025. Labels, SDS and packaging must now comply with the updated Notices. epa.govt.nz+1
WES/BEI updates. The 15th edition of WES/BEI has been effective since Feb 2025. Treat values as risk criteria for assessments, applied by competent practitioners.
Signage, SDS access and duties. Thresholds, content and placement for signs are prescribed, including the use of HAZCHEM wording and visibility requirements.
PCBUs must obtain and provide current SDS to workers and emergency services. Keep a central, digital SDS system with version control and mobile access so information is current at the point of use.
Major hazard facilities and transport interface. If you meet Major Hazard Facility thresholds, maintain a documented safety management system. Align off-site transport with the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods and NZS 5433:2020.
Bringing it all together for safer, smoother operations
A practical chemical safety programme protects people and keeps work flowing. Build it on risk assessment, GHS 7 labelling, current SDS, and the hierarchy of controls, then verify with monitoring and training. Track WES/BEI updates, keep signage accurate, and align major-risk operations with MHF and transport rules. The result is fewer incidents, better uptime and a healthier bottom line.
FAQs
1) What recent classification and labelling changes should we check?
The GHS 7 shift has fully taken effect; the transition for labels, SDS and packaging ended on 30 Apr 2025. Ensure documents align with the consolidated Notices.
2) Do we still need PPE if we install local exhaust ventilation?
Usually yes. LEV reduces airborne exposure but may not address splash or skin contact. Keep PPE as the final layer after higher-order controls. Training and supervision are required.
3) Which exposure values should we follow on task assessments?
Use the WES/BEI 15th edition (Feb 2025) as risk criteria applied by competent practitioners, and confirm controls through monitoring.
4) What must be on an SDS and how often do we review it?
Follow the 16-section format, include NZ-specific details, and review/reissue at least every 5 years. PCBUs must obtain and make current SDS easily accessible to workers.
5) How does transport interface with our site controls?
For off-site movement, align with the Land Transport Rule: Dangerous Goods and NZS 5433:2020; keep emergency information current and coordinate with carriers.