Agriculture & Horticulture Hazardous Substances in NZ – Risks, Compliance & Safety
Agriculture & Horticulture: NZ’s Biggest User of Hazardous Substances
When most people think about farming in New Zealand, they picture rolling green hills, tractors, and fresh produce. What often flies under the radar is the massive amount of hazardous substances being handled every single day in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. From fertilisers and pesticides to herbicides and bulk fuel storage, Kiwi farmers and growers are working with chemicals at volumes that dwarf nearly every other trade in the country.
Why Agriculture & Horticulture Rely on Hazardous Substances
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Fertilisers: Superphosphate, urea, ammonium nitrate — critical for soil productivity but risky in storage and handling.
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Pesticides & Herbicides: Glyphosate, fungicides, insecticides — essential for crop yields but toxic when mishandled.
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Fuel Storage: Diesel and petrol tanks sitting on farms, often in large volumes, carry major fire and spill hazards.
Without these substances, farms can’t hit production targets. But with them comes serious responsibility.
The Real Risks for Farmers and Growers
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Chronic Exposure: Long-term skin contact and inhalation can lead to cancers, lung disease, and skin conditions.
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Environmental Contamination: Spills or runoff can poison waterways, kill stock, and destroy soil health.
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Accidental Spills: A few litres of spilled pesticide can cause thousands in cleanup costs — and hefty fines if HSNO rules aren’t followed.
WorkSafe NZ is clear: agriculture and horticulture lead the pack when it comes to hazardous substance use in New Zealand.
What Farmers Need to Do
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Label Everything Properly – No hand-written jerry cans; use correct HSNO labelling.
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Keep an Up-to-Date Hazardous Substances Register – This is a legal requirement.
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Train Workers & Contractors – Everyone handling chemicals must know safe handling, PPE, and emergency response.
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Have Spill Kits Ready – Fuel and pesticide spills must be controlled immediately.
Why SMEs in Agriculture Can’t Ignore Compliance
Farms aren’t immune from the law just because they’re rural. The Hazardous Substances Regulations (HSNO & HSWA) apply just as much to a dairy shed in Waikato as they do to a factory in Auckland. Non-compliance risks:
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WorkSafe enforcement notices
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Insurance headaches
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Costly fines
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Serious harm to workers and the environment
Getting expert help from a compliance partner like Auditsure Ltd makes it easier to keep on top of the paperwork, registers, and safety training.
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