Farm Workers & Hazardous Substances NZ – Risks, Safety & Auditsure Compliance
🚜 Farming in NZ: The Hidden Dangers of Hazardous Substances
Farming is the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, but life on the land isn’t as clean and green as it looks from the outside. Every day, people working on farms come into constant contact with hazardous substances — pesticides, fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides, fuel storage, and animal treatment chemicals.
These substances keep farms productive, but they also pose serious health and safety risks if not managed properly.
Why Hazardous Substances Are Everywhere on Farms
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Pesticides & Herbicides: Essential for protecting crops and pasture, but dangerous when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
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Fertilisers: Dust and granules can irritate lungs and cause chemical burns.
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Fungicides & Animal Health Treatments: Regular use in dairying, cropping, and horticulture.
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Fuel Storage: Diesel and petrol tanks power machinery but carry major fire and explosion risks.
Hazardous substances aren’t optional on farms — but without the right controls, they create a ticking time bomb.
The Risks Farm Workers Face
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Respiratory Disease – Breathing in fertiliser dust or pesticide spray drift can scar lungs and trigger asthma.
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Skin Conditions – Direct contact with chemicals causes rashes, burns, and long-term dermatitis.
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Explosion & Fire Hazards – Poorly stored fuel vapours can ignite in seconds.
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Chronic Illness – Long-term exposure to pesticides and fuels is linked to cancers and organ damage.
WorkSafe NZ data shows agriculture has some of the highest rates of hazardous substance harm in the country.
What Farms Must Do to Stay Safe
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Keep an up-to-date Hazardous Substances Register (a legal requirement).
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Train workers on safe handling and PPE.
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Store pesticides, fertilisers, and fuels in compliant, labelled containers.
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Provide spill kits and fire extinguishers on site.
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Ensure ventilation and spray safety systems are used properly.
Failure to comply with HSNO and HSWA regulations risks WorkSafe penalties, environmental damage, and harm to workers.
Why Partner With Auditsure Ltd
Running a farm means juggling stock, crops, weather, and staff — compliance often ends up last on the list. That’s why farms are turning to Auditsure Ltd.
Auditsure helps farmers by:
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Building farm-specific hazardous substances registers
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Training farmhands and contractors on chemical safety
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Auditing compliance against HSNO & HSWA 2015 laws
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Offering ongoing support, so farmers can focus on productivity, not paperwork
Auditsure doesn’t just help tick boxes — they help protect workers, the environment, and the farm’s future.
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