Between 600–900 New Zealanders are estimated to die from work-related illness every year, many from chronic illness arising from poor controls on the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals. This course is designed to train people to identify the health and safety risks of the chemicals in a workplace; and to identify, select and apply the legislated and other controls designed to minimise the exposure of workers to these risks, and ensure the proper reporting.

The course addresses the requirements of a ‘Competent Person’ as specified under r19.1 of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017

After the successful completion of this course, learners will be able to demonstrate and explain the:

• Classification of workplace chemicals according to their hazardous property thresholds.
• Routes of contamination, pollution and/or exposure, the safety risks and health effects of workplace chemicals.
• Storage, handling, and disposal controls compliant to the legislation and workplace requirements.
• Monitoring of controls managing the risks of workplace chemicals.
• Management of workplace chemical emergencies and the reestablishment of controls.
• Documentation and reporting requirements under the current legislation.

Learners will be introduced to the requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 Hazardous Substances Notices, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Hazardous Substances Regulations and Safe Work Instruments as they apply to the chemicals on their site.

Learners will be trained to:

• Manage a workplace Hazardous Substances Inventory.
• Interpret safety data sheets (SDS).
• Identify environmental and safety risks and health effects.
• Select, implement and monitor appropriate controls, including tracking and emergency management controls, to help minimise the risks of workplace Hazardous Substances and worker exposure.

Any person responsible for the management, storage, use, disposal or otherwise handling of hazardous substances in a workplace, especially those substances requiring the maintenance of tracking and/or other application records. This would include store persons, team leaders, supervisors, shift managers, safety offices, purchasing officers and other managers responsible for the PCBU Hazardous Substances controls.

It may be useful for line managers who need awareness to inform the decisions they make and to ask questions regarding hazardous substances.

All applicants seeking certification as a Certified Handler must attend this course.

Skills and knowledge of workplace procedures relating to hazardous substances, or hold unit standard 31292: Demonstrate knowledge of workplace procedures relating to hazardous substances.