Top HAZSUBS Mistakes Farmers Make — and How to Avoid a WorkSafe Visit

Let’s clear something up early:
WorkSafe doesn’t turn up because a farmer is reckless.
They turn up because something obvious has been missed for too long.

Most HAZSUBS issues on farms aren’t dramatic failures. They’re quiet habits that grow over time — until one day someone asks to see the paperwork, the storage, or the SDS right now.

This blog walks through the most common hazardous substances (HAZSUBS) mistakes NZ farmers make, why they trigger attention, and how to fix them without turning farming into a desk job.

Mistake #1: Not Knowing Exactly What Chemicals Are on the Farm

This is the big one.

Many farms have:

• Chemicals spread across multiple sheds

• Products brought in seasonally

• Old containers “kept just in case”

When asked “what hazardous substances are on site?”, the answer shouldn’t be a memory test.

Under HSNO, farms are expected to maintain a current hazardous substances register — not one that was accurate last year.

Mistake #2: Missing or Outdated SDS

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are the first thing inspectors ask for.

Common problems:

• SDS saved on someone’s phone

• Old versions that no longer match the product

• No SDS for animal health products or cleaning chemicals

An SDS you can’t access quickly may as well not exist.

Mistake #3: Chemicals Stored “Out of the Way”

“Out of the way” is not a compliance standard.

WorkSafe regularly finds:

• Chemicals stored near feed

• Unlocked sheds

• Products exposed to heat or weather

• Incompatible substances stored together

HSNO requires chemicals to be stored in a way that prevents spills, mixing, and unauthorised access — not just tucked behind something.

Mistake #4: Decanted or Unlabelled Containers

This one seems small. It isn’t.

Once chemicals are poured into:

• Drink bottles

• Unmarked containers

• Old drums

You’ve lost control of:

• Identification

• Emergency response

• Safe handling

Unlabelled containers are a red flag during inspections.

Mistake #5: Relying on One Person’s Knowledge

Many farms depend on:

• “Dave knows what’s in that shed”

• “We’ve always done it this way”

• One key person holding all the information

Compliance that lives in someone’s head collapses the moment they’re not there.

Mistake #6: Forgetting Contractors Bring Risk Too

Contractors often bring:

• Fuels

• Oils

• Sprays

• Cleaning products

Under HSNO, farms still have duties when hazardous substances are brought on site, even temporarily.

If you don’t know what’s coming in, you can’t control it.

Mistake #7: Thinking Low Volume Means Low Risk

Sheep and beef farms often assume:

“We don’t use much, so it doesn’t really apply.”

HSNO doesn’t work on volume alone.
It works on hazard.

A small amount of the wrong substance, poorly stored, is still a problem.

What WorkSafe Actually Looks For

Despite the rumours, inspectors aren’t hunting paperwork errors.

They want to see:

• One clear chemical register

• Matching SDS

• Logical storage

• Evidence you understand what’s on your farm

If you can show that calmly, inspections tend to stay calm.

How ChemMatrix Helps Farmers Avoid These Mistakes

This is exactly the gap ChemMatrix is designed to close.

ChemMatrix helps farms:

• Keep a live hazardous substances register

• Link every chemical to the correct SDS

• Remove outdated products easily

• Make compliance visible, not buried in folders

• Show inspectors evidence without scrambling

It replaces guesswork with clarity.

Can ChemMatrix Work Alongside Halter?

Yes — and it actually fits the way farms operate now.

Halter already helps farmers manage:

• Stock movement

• Grazing

• Day-to-day operational decisions

ChemMatrix complements this by managing:

• HAZSUBS compliance

• Chemical visibility

• Safety documentation

In simple terms:

• Halter runs the farm

• ChemMatrix proves the farm is compliant

Different tools. Same modern system.

SEO Keywords Used (Naturally)

• HAZSUBS compliance farms NZ

• WorkSafe farm inspection

• hazardous substances farm

• HSNO compliance NZ

• farm chemical register

• chemical storage farm NZ

The Bottom Line

Most WorkSafe visits don’t start with accidents.
They start with simple things left unmanaged.

If you:

• Know what chemicals are on your farm

• Store them properly

• Keep SDS accessible

• Use systems instead of memory

You dramatically reduce risk — and stress.