Take the ‘aggro’ out of safely managing your agrichemicals
Safety is something most of us take for granted in our day-to-day work. Yet when it comes to the hazardous substances (chemicals) that keep modern farming and contracting moving, safety doesn’t just happen by chance. Agrichemicals, fuels, solvents and cleaning agents are a part of the landscape for farmers and horticulturists and while essential, they also bring obligations that cannot be left to guesswork or old habits.
Responsible Care NZ delivers practical chemical safety training tailored to farming and contracting operations.
This is where Responsible Care New Zealand (RCNZ) delivers as vital service. As the not for profit chemical industry association, RCNZ implements the global Responsible Care initiative in this country, ensuring hazardous substances are handled in ways that protect people, the environment and businesses. Responsible Care NZ represents the majority of major manufacturers and importers of hazardous substances.
Chief Executive Barry Dyer is proud the national association, one of 66 worldwide continues to help implement our complex chemical regulations.
“Our membership represents the entire product life cycle and we are a valuable resource for everyone seeking to meet their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act, HSNO, the HSW (Hazardous Substances) regulations and other chemical management requirements that govern every day operations.
The most unique and arguably most important service Responsible Care NZ provides is Chemcall, a subscriber based, 24/7 emergency response advisory service available countrywide. Any farmer or contractor faced with a spill appreciates the importance of fast, informed advice. Chemcall responders are specialists who guide callers through addressing the incident until people and the environment are no longer at risk. This service is free to emergency services and schools, but its real value lies in the reassurance it offers to businesses that work with chemicals every day.
Training is another flagship service to members and non-members alike. Responsible Care NZ offers practical chemical education and safety training, reflecting workplace operations, from basic chemical awareness workshops through to our tailored Competent Chemical Handler Certification. For rural businesses where staff turnover can be high and seasonal labour is common, being able to put people through relevant training without excessive downtime is a real advantage. The training is focused on helping participants understand their responsibilities and how to apply their knowledge in their workplace.
Supplementing emergency support and training, Responsible Care NZ provides ‘compliance tools’ that make day to day chemical management easier. Safety Data Sheet reviews, user-friendly codes of practice, educational posters, technical advice about transport regulations and checklists are all available to members and the public. These practical guides help businesses demonstrate due diligence, should WorkSafe NZ or the EPA come calling.
For contractors working across multiple farms, having consistent documentation and processes also reduces the chance of chemical mishaps when working with various chemicals, in different environments.
Responsible Care NZ provided online advice to Rural Contractors during various Covid lockdowns and quarantine restrictions. A very popular service is the ‘walk and talk’, an informal site visit to determine the extent to which the business is safely managing its chemical inventory. The assessor’s findings include advice to achieve the required remediation to demonstrate compliance. The visit report provides a road map for addressing SH&E compliance.
In an industry where reputation matters, being able to demonstrate a robust, independent verification of compliance and safe practices can be a real point of difference. The demanding Premises Inspection and Certification (PRINCE) initiative is a high level, comprehensive safety, health and environmental site assessment carried out by industry experts who tour the workplace, identify hazards and confirm that management meets and exceeds compliance. A business that achieves Prince certification not only improves safety for staff but also gains recognition to show customers and regulators.
The complexity of rules around hazardous substances continues. What was once considered adequate chemical handling practice is now tightly regulated and the penalties for non-compliance can be severe. Responsible Care NZ is keeping up with changes to legislation and ensuring its members and those seeking advice are informed and prepared. It works with regulators to help shape sensible rules, while also advocating on behalf of its members when new requirements are being developed. The industry voice is important because without it, rules are too often written in a way that overlooks the realities of rural businesses.
“For rural contractors in particular, the advantages of engaging with Responsible Care NZ are clear. Safely transporting, storing and applying chemicals in environments that change from job to job, while staying on top of compliance and delivering for clients is no easy task; having access to specialist advice, emergency support and credible training make the job safer and less stressful, resulting in safer workplaces and less time spent worrying about compliance.”
Dyer notes membership is not just about ticking boxes for compliance. It is about participating in an internationally recognised SH&E initiative where safe chemical management is part of every day operations, protecting staff, neighbours and the environment. It is also about giving business operators the confidence that they are meeting and exceeding their legal obligations without undue disruption to the practical realities of their business. As a partner, RCNZ helps to ensure that the chemicals that drive productivity are used without compromising safety and environmental performance.
“As our world-leading agricultural sector continues to thrive, chemicals will continue to play a major role in our success. Public concerns and expectations about chemical safety continue to rise. This requires that the chemicals we all rely on for our quality of life are safely managed. Responsible Care practitioners continue to lead in striving to improve SH&E performance, rather than debating the need for more regulation.”
Those working on the land and looking beyond compliance to the continuing protection and future wellbeing of people and communities, will benefit from the support and resources Responsible Care NZ offers. The role of rural contractors in supporting our dedicated farmers will only become more important as expectations around chemical safety and environmental protection continue to rise.
Responsible Care NZ is ready to help.