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How to Comply with PPE Rules for Hazardous Substances on Farms in New Zealand

How to Comply with PPE Rules for Hazardous Substances on Farms

If you’re running a farm in New Zealand, chances are you and your crew deal with hazardous substances every day — fuels, sprays, drenches, fertilisers, acids, or cleaning products. They keep the operation moving, but they also come with risk.

The HSNO Act (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996) and the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 are crystal clear: if your workers handle hazardous substances, they must use the right Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and be trained to use it correctly.

Here’s the straight-up guide to getting PPE right on your farm.

1️⃣ Know What PPE You Actually Need

Different chemicals need different protection. The label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) tell you what’s required. Don’t guess — check every time.

Common PPE for farm chemicals includes:

  • Gloves: chemical-resistant nitrile or neoprene gloves (not the cheap garden ones).

  • Goggles or Face Shield: to protect eyes from splashes or drift.

  • Respirator or Mask: rated for vapours or particulates, depending on the substance.

  • Coveralls or Apron: to keep chemicals off skin and clothes.

  • Boots: sealed and chemical-resistant, with pants worn over the top.

👉 If you can smell or feel the chemical through your gear — it’s not the right PPE.

2️⃣ Keep PPE in Good Condition

  • Wash or replace PPE after each use.

  • Check for cracks, tears, or chemical build-up.

  • Store PPE in a clean, dry place — not beside fertiliser drums or on the tractor seat.

  • Disposable gear means just that — dispose of it safely, don’t reuse it.

A worn-out respirator or split glove is as good as no PPE at all.

3️⃣ Train Everyone Who Handles Chemicals

Everyone on the farm who mixes, sprays, or cleans chemical gear must be trained and supervised.
They need to know:

  • What each piece of PPE does.

  • How to put it on and take it off safely.

  • How to clean and store it.

  • What to do if PPE fails or a spill occurs.

Keep a record of training — WorkSafe NZ can ask for it anytime.

4️⃣ Follow the “Right Gear, Right Job” Rule

  • Use respirators with replaceable cartridges for spraying or dusty jobs.

  • Switch to disposable suits and gloves for short, high-risk tasks.

  • Use full-face masks for corrosives or strong vapours.

  • Never wear cotton or leather when spraying — they absorb chemicals and can’t be cleaned properly.

5️⃣ Have an Emergency Plan

Even with the best PPE, accidents happen.

  • Keep an eyewash station and clean water nearby.

  • Store spill kits and first-aid gear close to where chemicals are handled.

  • Make sure everyone knows what to do and who to call.

6️⃣ Why Many Farms Get Caught Out

  • PPE left hanging in the shed for months.

  • Wrong type of respirator for the chemical used.

  • No record of training.

  • Old or unlabelled chemicals that no one knows how to handle.

That’s where ChemMatrix steps in.

How Auditsure Ltd and ChemMatrix Can Help

Auditsure Ltd works with farms and SMEs across New Zealand to help them meet HSNO and WorkSafe requirements. They’re developing ChemMatrix, a smart digital platform that keeps all your hazardous-substance compliance in one place.

With ChemMatrix, you can:

  • Record what PPE each chemical requires (pulled directly from the SDS).

  • Track who’s trained and when refreshers are due.

  • Store photos and certificates of PPE and training.

  • Get automatic alerts when PPE needs replacing or SDS updates.

  • Generate reports instantly for WorkSafe NZ or audits.

No more folders, paper checklists, or guesswork — just a clean, digital system that keeps you compliant 24/7.

Final Word

Using the right PPE isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about protecting your people, your family, and your farm.
Get your training sorted, keep PPE maintained, and make sure everyone knows what they’re doing.

And if you don’t have time to manage the paperwork, let Auditsure Ltd and their ChemMatrix platform handle it for you.
They’ll take care of the compliance — you take care of the farming.

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