Find out what hazardous substances are and why they must be managed safely.
What is a hazardous substance?
The term hazardous substance refers to any product or chemical that has properties that are explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic, corrosive or toxic to the environment.
- Explosive – explodes or causes explosion.
- Flammable – ignites easily and burns rapidly.
- Oxidising – could be gaseous, solid or liquid and can cause or intensify fire and explosion.
- Toxic – can harm people if it enters the body through contact, being inhaled or ingested. The effects can range from mild to life threatening, and can be immediate or long term.
- Corrosive – can cause severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Ecotoxic – is toxic to the environment.
The definition of ‘substance’ is provided in Section 2 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996(external link).
Hazardous substances are an integral part of modern society. They are found across a wide range of industries, including:
- agrichemicals used in primary production
- fuels that run our transport fleet
- explosives for mining and quarrying
- solvents and other general chemicals used in manufacturing
- cleaning solutions that are critical for safe food production, and
- speciality chemicals that underpin research and development.
By their very nature hazardous substances can be extremely dangerous. Used safely they contribute to New Zealand’s economic growth and prosperity. Used incorrectly they can cause catastrophic accidents, such as fires and explosions, and serious harm to people who are exposed to them.
Occupational exposure to hazardous substances may occur over many years and result in slow and debilitating diseases, many of which are fatal. Around 600 – 900 people die prematurely every year from workplace-related disease including from exposure to hazardous substances.
Approvals
All hazardous substances are required to have an approval under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for approving hazardous substances for use in New Zealand. This includes substances that are imported into New Zealand or manufactured here.
When the EPA receives a new application for a hazardous substance approval, WorkSafe will make sure the rules will sufficiently protect the health and safety of people from work-related activities involving the substance.
For more information about the hazardous substances application process see the HSNO reform page of the EPA website(external link).
Classifications
The hazardous properties of a substance are classified to determine how the risks can be managed. There are eight key hazard classes:
- Class 1: explosives
- Class 2: flammable gases
- Class 3: flammable liquids
- Class 4: flammable solids
- Class 5: oxidising substances
- Class 6: substances toxic to people
- Class 8: corrosive substances
- Class 9: substances toxic to the environment
(Class 7 is missing as it covers radioactive materials which are regulated under the Radiation Safety Act 2016.)
Approved hazardous substances with controls
The EPA website has a database(external link) containing information on the classifications and controls for all approved hazardous substances.
Refer to the EPA website(external link) for more information on hazardous substances.
FAQs
A hazardous substance is any material which can cause harm to you either directly or indirectly. You may encounter hazardous substances either during the sampling or in the working environment where you are conducting the sampling. Dangerous goods are hazardous substances which are being transported.
What questions must you be able to answer when using chemicals hazardous substances? ›
Workers should be able to answer these questions for every hazardous product they work with:
- What are the hazards of the product?
- How do I protect myself from those hazards?
- What do I do in case of an emergency?
- Where can I get further information?
Hazardous chemicals are substances that can cause adverse health effects such as poisoning, breathing problems, skin rashes, allergic reactions, allergic sensitisation, cancer, and other health problems from exposure.
What is a statement about hazardous substances? ›
Key point: A hazardous substance can be any substance, whether solid, liquid or gas, that may cause harm to your health. Hazardous substances are classified on the basis of their potential health effects, whether acute (immediate) or chronic (long-term).
How do you classify hazardous substances? ›
There are eight key hazard classes:
- Class 1: explosives.
- Class 2: flammable gases.
- Class 3: flammable liquids.
- Class 4: flammable solids.
- Class 5: oxidising substances.
- Class 6: substances toxic to people.
- Class 8: corrosive substances.
- Class 9: substances toxic to the environment.
GHS classification includes: physical hazards, for example flammability • health hazards, for example toxicity and carcinogenicity, and • environmental hazards, for example hazardous to the aquatic environment.
How are hazardous substances handled? ›
Always wash your hands after using any unsafe material. Store materials correctly, as directed on their labels. Flammable chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight. Some chemicals like acids must be stored separately from each other.
Why is it important to identify hazardous substances? ›
Some may produce health effects that can happen straight away like poisoning and burns, or cause long-term health conditions, like nerve damage, lung damage or cancer. Others can present a physical hazard, like fires, explosions, corrosion. Some hazardous chemicals may pose both health and physical hazards .
What is the best way to identify hazardous substances? ›
Identify which substances are harmful by reading the product labels and safety data sheets (SDS). If in doubt, contact your supplier. Think about harmful substances produced by your processes, such as cutting or grinding, or to which workers may be otherwise exposed.
What are the 7 main hazardous substances? ›
The 9 classes used by the DOT are:
- Class 1: Explosives.
- Class 2: Gases.
- Class 3: Flammable Liquid and Combustible Liquid.
- Class 4: Flammable Solid, Spontaneously Combustible, and Dangerous When Wet.
- Class 5: Oxidizer and Organic Peroxide.
- Class 6: Poison (Toxic) and Poison Inhalation Hazard.
- Class 7: Radioactive.
Hazardous substances can include:
- biological agents – such as fungi, bacteria, viruses.
- natural substances – such as grain, flour or enzyme dusts.
- substances generated by work – such as soldering or welding fumes, or wood dust.
- chemical products used or produced at work – such as adhesives or cleaning agents.
- Ammunition.
- Batteries: Lithium and NiCad.
- Computers.
- Fireworks.
- Flea powder.
- Gun cleaners.
- Lighter fluid.
- Nail polish remover.
Asthma – a result of developing an allergy to substances used at work. Losing consciousness – a result of being overcome by toxic fumes. Cancer – likely to appear long after the exposure to the substance that caused it. Viral Infection – caused by bacteria and other micro-organisms (biological agents)
What is a good sentence for "hazardous"? ›
Examples of hazardous in a Sentence
It was a hazardous voyage. These are hazardous chemicals that can cause death if inhaled. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hazardous.
What does the hazard statement tell you? ›
A hazard statement is a phrase that describes the nature of the hazard in the substance or mixture. A hazard statement will be determined by the application of the classification criteria. Examples of hazard statements include: causes serious eye damage.
What are the four questions to ask yourself when using hazardous materials? ›
If you have been successfully educated and trained in WHMIS, you must be able to answer the following four questions for every hazardous product you work with:
- What are the hazards of the product?
- How do I protect myself from those hazards?
- What do I do in case of an emergency?
- Where can I get more information?
20 Questions to Always Ask When Conducting a Hazard Assessment
- Is there any noise in the workplace?
- Would workers be subject to vibrations?
- Are there any temperature extremes that could affect workers, equipment, or materials?
- Are workers exposed to any radiation?
The four characteristics of hazardous waste are: ignitability • corrosivity • reactivity • toxicity. The regulations explaining these characteristics and the test methods to be used in detecting their presence are found in Part 261, Subpart C.
What are three important things to know when handling chemicals? ›
Essential aspects of safe handling practices are:
Wearing PPE. Disposing of hazardous chemicals appropriately. Being prepared for emergencies with first aid.
