How to Comply with Hazardous Chemical Identification on Farms in New Zealand
How to Comply with Hazardous Chemical Identification on Farms
Every farm in New Zealand, from Pukekohe to Te Awamutu, stores some form of hazardous chemical — sprays, drenches, fuel, oil, fertiliser, cleaning products, you name it. These substances make farm life easier, but they also come with legal responsibilities.
Under the HSNO Act (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, every hazardous chemical on your farm must be identified, labelled, and recorded correctly. Getting this wrong can mean serious fines, environmental damage, or harm to your workers.
Here’s a plain-English guide that makes compliance easy.
1️⃣ Label Everything — No Exceptions
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Every container needs a clear label showing what’s inside.
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Labels must display hazard symbols (toxic, flammable, corrosive, oxidising).
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No handwritten stickers, no faded ink, and definitely no reused drink bottles for storage.
👉 If you can’t read it, replace it. Unlabelled containers are one of the biggest red flags in farm audits.
2️⃣ Keep Your SDS (Safety Data Sheets) Up to Date
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Each hazardous chemical must have an SDS less than five years old.
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The SDS tells you how to handle, store, and dispose of the product safely.
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Keep SDS copies where staff can actually find them — a ring-binder in the shed or saved digitally on the farm tablet.
3️⃣ Build and Maintain a Chemical Register
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Your Hazardous Substances Register should list every chemical on site.
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Include: product name, supplier, hazard class, location, and quantity.
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Update it whenever you buy or use up chemicals.
This is your “farm map” for compliance — if WorkSafe visits, it’s the first thing they’ll ask for.
4️⃣ Train Your People
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Everyone who uses chemicals needs basic HSNO awareness training.
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They must know how to read labels, SDS, and recognise hazard symbols.
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Keep written records of training — no proof = non-compliance.
5️⃣ Post HSNO Signs Where Needed
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Storage sheds or mixing areas should have hazard warning signs.
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Include the hazard types and emergency contacts.
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Signs must be visible to visitors and emergency services, not hidden behind the tractor.
Common Compliance Slip-Ups on Farms
❌ Labels washed off drums or tanks.
❌ SDS older than five years or missing entirely.
❌ No chemical register or outdated records.
❌ Staff using sprays with zero training.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone — and that’s why help exists.
How Auditsure Ltd and ChemMatrix Make It Easy
Auditsure Ltd are compliance experts who work with farms and SMEs across New Zealand. They’re developing ChemMatrix, a professional digital platform that keeps your chemical compliance organised and automatic.
With ChemMatrix, you can:
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Keep a live hazardous-substances register linked to each storage area.
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Upload and automatically update SDS sheets.
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Get alerts when SDS expire or labels need replacing.
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Store staff training records and compliance evidence in one place.
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Access everything instantly from your phone or laptop when WorkSafe shows up.
It’s like having your own farm safety manager — without the paperwork mountain.
Final Word
Complying with hazardous chemical identification on farms isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about protecting your workers, your animals, and your land.
Label clearly, keep SDS current, train your team, and maintain your register. And if you’re tired of chasing paperwork, let Auditsure Ltd and their ChemMatrix platform handle it for you. Compliance made simple, farming made safer.
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