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Step-by-Step Guide for Auckland Businesses to Keep an Up-to-Date Hazardous Substances Register

Introduction

If your business uses chemicals, fuels, paints, cleaning agents, or gases, you must comply with New Zealand’s HSNO (Hazardous Substances and New Organisms) regulations. A critical part of compliance is maintaining an up-to-date hazardous substances register.

This register isn’t just paperwork — it’s a legal requirement that helps protect your workers, customers, and the Auckland community. Yet many businesses struggle to keep their registers accurate and current.

Here’s a step-by-step process for Auckland businesses to create and maintain a hazardous substances register — and how Auditsure can make compliance easy.

Step 1: Identify All Hazardous Substances on Site

Walk through your workplace and list every hazardous substance. This includes:

  • Cleaning products

  • Fuels and oils

  • Paints and solvents

  • Gases and aerosols

  • Industrial chemicals

👉 How Auditsure helps: We perform a comprehensive site inspection to ensure nothing is missed.

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Step 2: Collect Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Each substance must have a current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (issued within the last 5 years). These explain storage, handling, and emergency procedures.

👉 How Auditsure helps: We review and update your SDS library, sourcing new versions where required.

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Step 3: Record Key Information in the Register

For each hazardous substance, record:

  • Product name and supplier

  • Hazard classification

  • Quantity held on site

  • Location of storage

  • Link to its SDS

👉 How Auditsure helps: We create digital hazardous substances registers that are easy to update and present during inspections.

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Step 4: Update the Register Regularly

Your register must always be current. Update it when:

  • New products are introduced

  • Old products are used up or removed

  • Storage locations change

  • Quantities change significantly

👉 How Auditsure helps: We provide ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure your register never falls out of date.

Step 5: Make the Register Accessible

WorkSafe NZ requires that staff can easily access the hazardous substances register and SDS. Keep a copy:

  • On site in a visible location

  • Electronically for quick reference

👉 How Auditsure helps: We ensure your register meets WorkSafe NZ accessibility standards for audits and emergencies.

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Step 6: Train Your Staff

A register is only useful if your team knows how to use it. Staff must understand:

  • How to read the register

  • Where to find SDS information

  • Emergency response procedures

👉 How Auditsure helps: We deliver staff training and toolbox talks to embed safe practices.

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Why Work With Auditsure?

Keeping a hazardous substances register can be time-consuming and confusing. Auditsure makes it simple:

  • ✅ Site inspections & product identification

  • ✅ Digital hazardous substances registers

  • ✅ SDS management & updates

  • ✅ Staff training & induction

  • ✅ Ongoing compliance audits

With Auditsure, your business can achieve HSNO compliance in Auckland without stress, while protecting your people and reputation.

Conclusion

A hazardous substances register is the backbone of good HSNO compliance in Auckland. By following these steps — and with expert support from Auditsure — you can ensure your register is accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with New Zealand law.

📞 Contact Auditsure today to book your hazardous substances compliance review and take the first step toward safer, smarter operations.

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