Retail hardware stores will store and handle significant quantities of hazardous substances. Careful management of these substances is important in order to protect people and the environment.
Within these stores a range of hazardous substances will be present that may include:
Oil based paint and varnish
solvents and thinners, such as methylated spirits and mineral turpentine
fillers and adhesives
aerosols and gas cartridges
gardening products that may be toxic or ecotoxic
cleaning agents that may be corrosive.
Guide to the Certification for Retail Hardware Stores
The publication “Guide to Certification for
Retail Hardware Stores” provides a advice for the person in charge of a
retail hardware store to obtain the test certificates required under the
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act.
Substance Approvals
All hazardous substances used in New Zealand need to have a hazardous substance approval. Some substances have their own individual approval (e.g. petrol, LPG) and other substances are approved under a group standard approval. A group standard is an approval covering many substances grouped by their use and hazard.
A complete list of group standards is provided below. Refer to the relevant group standard and associated site and storage document for information on the hazardous substance controls that need to be complied with.
Key HSNO controls
There are a number of
key HSNO controls that need to be followed to help you comply with the hazardous substances legislation.
Test certification requirements
Depending on the type and quantity of substances held at your site, you may require one of the following test certificates:
If you are unsure about your test certification requirements, contact a
test certifier for advice.
As a general rule, you should keep the quantities of hazardous substances stored on your site to a minimum. In this way the risks may be reduced and the need for test certification reduced.
Codes of Practice
Codes of Practice are an
approved means of complying with the legislation. They are designed to
provide guidance on how to eliminate or minimise the risk associated with hazardous substances.
The following completed codes of practice are relevant to the retail hardware industry:
Signage for Premises Storing Hazardous Substances
Hazardous Substance Storage
Incompatible Hazardous Substances Separation- Locations
Preparing for a Chemical Emergency
Enforcement
The Department of Labour is responsible for HSNO enforcement in workplaces. You can contact the Department of Labour on 0800 20 90 20.
Envirostep
If you are uncertain about your level of compliance, try using Envirostep. Envirostep is a free online tool developed by the Ministry of Economic Development to help small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) improve their environmental performance. Go to the hazardous substances module to check out your level of compliance and develop an action plan to help you comply.