Hazardous Substances Training in NZ

Practical hazardous substances training that helps people understand the risks, apply the right controls, and respond confidently to incidents.

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Hazardous substances are used in many workplaces, but people don't always understand the risks they present or the controls needed to manage them safely. IMPAC's hazardous substances training provides practical skills in hazardous substance awareness, safe handling and storage, workplace controls, and spill response.

Our Courses
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IMPAC Training

Category overview

Having a Safety Data Sheet on file is not the same as understanding the risks associated with a hazardous substance. Effective training moves beyond simply ticking a compliance box and helps workers recognise hazards, apply workplace controls, and respond appropriately when something goes wrong.

Our experienced trainers use realistic examples, practical demonstrations, and workplace scenarios to help learners build confidence working with and around hazardous substances.

Whether you handle hazardous substances directly, work in areas where they are present, or may be required to respond to a spill or release, our courses help you build the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to work safely and make informed decisions.

Key Focus Areas

What this training covers

Safe Handling, Storage and Classification

Understand what makes a substance hazardous, interpret safety information, and apply safe handling, storage, and disposal practices in the workplace.

Proximity Awareness for General Staff

Recognise hazardous substance risks in your work environment, understand the controls in place, and know how to respond if an incident occurs.

Spill Management and Containment

Develop the practical skills needed to assess a spill, access relevant safety information, and respond safely to an unintended release.

Emergency Response and Incident Reporting

Follow workplace emergency procedures, respond appropriately to hazardous substance incidents, and support effective incident reporting and follow-up.

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Available Courses

Our Hazardous Substances courses

View Full Course Catalogue

Working with New Zealand's legal framework

Applicable Safety Regulations in New Zealand

Hazardous substances are subject to legislation and guidance that help organisations manage risks to workers, the public, and the environment. Relevant legislation, standards, and guidance include:

  • Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) — New Zealand's primary workplace health and safety legislation, requiring PCBUs to eliminate risks so far as is reasonably practicable or, where that is not possible, minimise them.
  • Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 — The primary regulations governing the classification, storage, handling, and management of hazardous substances in New Zealand workplaces.
  • Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act) — Provides the framework for managing the risks that hazardous substances can pose to people and the environment.
  • WorkSafe New Zealand Guidance — Provides practical guidance on topics such as hazardous substance management, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), workplace controls, emergency planning, and spill response.

NZQA Unit Standards

Several courses within this category include NZQA unit standards, including:

  • US 31290 — Demonstrate knowledge of the safe management and potential adverse effects of hazardous substances in the workplace
  • US 31292 — Demonstrate knowledge of workplace procedures relating to hazardous substances
  • US 31293 — Demonstrate safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances in the workplace

Who Should Enrol

Industries and Roles

Direct Handlers and Technicians

Workers who handle, mix, transport, store, or dispose of hazardous substances as part of their day-to-day responsibilities.

Site Supervisors and Safety Officers

Leaders responsible for ensuring hazardous substances are managed safely, workplace controls are followed, and emergency procedures are understood.

Contractors and General Staff

Workers who operate in areas where hazardous substances are present but do not directly handle them, requiring awareness of risks, controls, and emergency procedures.

Emergency and Spill Responders

Designated team members responsible for responding to spills, releases, and other hazardous substance incidents in the workplace.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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A hazardous substance is any substance that can cause harm to people, property, or the environment because of its hazardous properties. These properties include explosiveness, flammability, oxidising ability, corrosiveness, toxicity, and ecotoxicity. Not all chemicals are classified as hazardous substances, but many common workplace products such as fuels, solvents, paints, gases, and cleaning products may be.

It depends on your role and the hazardous substances present in your workplace. Hazardous substances are not limited to chemical manufacturing environments and can be found in many industries, including construction, agriculture, transport, manufacturing, warehousing, and facilities management. Common products such as fuels, solvents, paints, gases, batteries, and cleaning chemicals may all be classified as hazardous substances.

Training helps workers understand the risks associated with these substances, the controls used to manage them, and the actions required if an incident occurs.

The right course depends on your role and how you interact with hazardous substances in the workplace. Workers who handle, store, or manage hazardous substances may require more in-depth training, while workers and contractors who work around hazardous substances may only need an understanding of the risks, workplace controls, and emergency procedures. Spill Management training is designed for personnel who may be required to respond to spills or unintended releases.

If you're unsure which course is most appropriate, our team can help identify the best option based on your workplace and responsibilities.

A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides critical information about a hazardous substance, including its hazards, safe handling requirements, storage conditions, required personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency response measures. Understanding how to find and interpret this information helps workers manage risks, follow workplace controls, and respond appropriately if an incident occurs.

Yes. In addition to training, IMPAC can support organisations with hazardous substance management through consulting services and practical guidance. This may include assistance with developing procedures and documentation, and undertaking audits to identify gaps and verify that appropriate controls are in place.

Yes. Hazardous substance products and equipment are available from Safeworx and Fortus. This includes spill kits, eyewash stations, signage, storage solutions, and a range of specialist hazardous substance equipment.