Nursery Workers & Hazardous Substances NZ – Risks, Safety & Auditsure Compliance
The Hidden Risks in Plant Nurseries: Hazardous Substances Every Worker Should Know
When most people picture a nursery, they see vibrant plants, colourful flowers, and tidy rows of seedlings. But behind the greenery lies a daily reality for nursery workers in New Zealand — constant exposure to hazardous substances like pesticides, fungicides, fertilisers, and stored fuels.
Working in nurseries might look calm, but the hidden hazards can cause long-term harm if not managed properly.
Why Hazardous Substances Are Common in Nurseries
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Pesticides & Insecticides – Essential for protecting young plants from pests but toxic to people.
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Fertilisers – Dust and residues can irritate skin and lungs.
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Fungicides & Herbicides – Applied regularly, often in confined greenhouse spaces.
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Fuel Vapours – Petrol and diesel stored for equipment like sprayers, pumps, and vehicles carry fire and explosion risks.
These chemicals are part of everyday operations, but exposure adds up over time.
The Real Risks Nursery Workers Face
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Respiratory Disease: Breathing pesticide spray drift or fertiliser dust damages the lungs and can cause asthma.
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Skin Disease: Frequent handling of chemicals without proper PPE leads to rashes, burns, and dermatitis.
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Explosion/Fire Hazards: Poorly stored fuel vapours can ignite, putting workers and stock at risk.
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Chronic Health Damage: Long-term exposure is linked to cancers, organ damage, and immune system harm.
What Nurseries Must Do
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Keep a Hazardous Substances Register as required under HSNO.
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Train staff on safe handling, PPE, and emergency procedures.
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Store fuels and chemicals in labelled, compliant containers.
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Use ventilation and spray safety systems in enclosed greenhouses.
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Provide spill kits and fire extinguishers on site.
Failing to meet these requirements risks fines from WorkSafe NZ — and worse, the health of your team.
Why Bring in Auditsure Ltd
Most nursery managers are focused on growing plants, not managing compliance paperwork. That’s where Auditsure Ltd steps in. As a professional auditing and compliance company, Auditsure helps nurseries by:
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Building custom hazardous substance registers
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Training staff on chemical safety and PPE
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Auditing compliance with HSNO and HSWA 2015 regulations
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Providing ongoing support, so nurseries stay safe, compliant, and productive
Auditsure doesn’t just help tick the compliance boxes — they help nurseries protect workers, safeguard the environment, and keep operations running smoothly.
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