Chemical safety in the workplace

ERMA New Zealand has produced a simple, step-by-step guide to safe chemical handling in the workplace, for business owners and employees.

Chemical Safety in the Workplace gives a series of checklists that show businesses how to create a list (or inventory) of chemicals in the workplace, and fill in details on how much is being stored and used, where, and by whom. Once the list is complete, the guideline helps users assess the risks the chemicals may pose and check whether controls to manage those risks are in place. 

Where action is required or controls are lacking, the guideline enables the user to keep a record of when and if corrective action has been taken.

Knowledge and awareness of safe chemical handling is critical to reducing illness and death as a result of worker exposure, says ERMA New Zealand Compliance Coordination Manager Dr Simon Buckland.  “Managing chemicals safely is not difficult,” says Dr Buckland. “A small amount of time and planning now will help to keep workers safe and provide for a more productive workforce.”

The guideline is part of the wider programme of work ERMA New Zealand is undertaking to give small to medium enterprises the knowledge, understanding and access to tools to keep themselves, their employees and the public safe when managing chemicals. Part of this work involves testing the effectiveness of safety information. Accordingly, Chemical Safety in the Workplace may be modified following trialling and feedback from users.

To view the publication, click here.

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Endosulfan disposal reminder

ERMA New Zealand is reminding people that all stocks of the insecticide endosulfan must be safely disposed of by 17 January 2010.

Approval for the importation, manufacture and use of endosulfan was revoked in New Zealand from 16 January this year. Users were given 12 months to dispose of any unused stock.

ERMA staff are working with regional councils, waste disposal contractors and industry associations to ensure all stock is disposed of safely by the deadline. Rural recycling programme Agrecovery is also collecting endosulfan and can be contacted on 0800 247 326.

For more information on the disposal of endosulfan, click here.

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Risk analysis conference well attended

More than 100 people attended the 4th annual Society for Risk Analysis – Australia and New Zealand conference in Wellington last month.

The conference was supported by ERMA New Zealand and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and was attended by representatives from government agencies, research industries, academia and the general public. The conference was an excellent opportunity for people to extend their professional networks and hear about state-of-the-art risk analysis.

To view workshop and conference presentations, click here.

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New Organisms (NO) 

1 September 2009 to 30 September 2009

The applications in The Bulletin are for reference only. Our public notification process includes alerts in four main daily newspapers with the full information and submission forms available on our website.

To ensure that you are advised directly about applications open for public submission contact us to be added to our interested party list. You will need to nominate the types of applications that you are interested in.  

NO notified applications received and open for submissions

There are currently no notified applications open for submission.

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NO non-notified applications received

ERMA200019 by Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, to import into containment invertebrates which show promise as biological control agents of environmentally damaging weeds for environmental safety testing

Formally received: 1 September 2009

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NO decisions on applications

Decisions were made by the Authority of ERMA New Zealand on the following applications:

NOR08003 by Environment Bay of Plenty, to import and release from containment the lace bug Gargaphia decoris (Hemiptera, Tingidae) as a biological control agent for the weed woolly nightshade

Application decision: Approved without controls

Decision notified: 16 September 2009

ERMA200041 by University of Otago, to genetically modify organisms to determine the functions of viral and cellular proteins on cellular pathways, tissue physiology and tissue immunology, by delivering genes to animal cells and whole animals

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 21 September 2009

ERMA200093 by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, to determine if Litoria caerulea is a new organism

Application decision: Determined to be a new organism

Decision notified: 28 September 2009
 

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NO decisions on applications - delegated authority

The Chief Executive of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, acting under delegated power from the Authority, reached a decision on the following applications:

GMD09011 by AgResearch Limited, to develop recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV) for delivery of transgenes to cell lines and animals in containment to investigate animal health and disease

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 9 September 2009

GMD09008 by AgResearch Limited, to develop bacterial strains that can be detected in complex organic matrices, opaque media or within mixed bacterial populations or communities in order to monitor bacterial growth and survival

Application decision: Approved with controls

Formally received: 9 September 2009

Decision notified: 16 September 2009

ERMA200127 by Lifetech Laboratories, to genetically modify organisms to determine the function of forage grass genes and regulatory elements involved in growth, development, stress physiology, primary and secondary metabolism, symbiotic relationship, flowering, animal nutrition, digestion and health

Application decision: Approved with controls

Formally received: 25 September 2009

Decision notified: 25 September 2009

ERMA200073 by The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, to genetically modify organisms to investigate the genetic mechanisms involved in persistence and survival of food-borne pathogens to improve food safety

Application decision: Approved with controls

Formally received: 22 September 2009

Decision notified: 25 September 2009

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NO decisions on applications - delegated authority to IBSCs

The following application was decided by institutions acting under delegated powers from the Authority.

For a complete list of the modification of the organism, click the application code number to be directed to the decision document for the application.

ERMA200129, GMO09/UO008 by the University of Otago, to clone major histocompatibility complex genes from selected species of New Zealand birds into non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli in order to study genetic diversity

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 9 September 2009 

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NO amendments to approvals

The following amendment, made under section 67A of the HSNO Act for minor or technical errors amendments, was decided by the Authority.

ERMA200038 (amendment to NOC99013) by the University of Auckland to amend decision to remove non-genetically modified cell lines derived from Spodoptera frugiperda, Cricetulus griseus, Drosophila melanogaster, Macaca mulatta and Danio rerio

Amendment notified: 3 September 2009

Hazardous Substances 

1 September 2009 to 30 September 2009

The applications in The Bulletin are for reference only. Our public notification process includes alerts in four main daily newspapers with the full information and submission forms available on our website.

To ensure that you are advised directly about applications open for public submission contact us to be added to our interested party list. You will need to nominate the types of applications that you are interested in.
 

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HS notified applications received and open for submissions

HSR09031 by Bayer New Zealand Limited, to import or manufacture Infinito for use as a fungicide for the control of late blight in potatoes

Submission period: 24 September 2009 - 6 November 2009

ERMA200095 by Regulatory Affairs Consulting Ltd, to import or manufacture RAC5809, and import RAC6809 and RAC7809 to be used in the manufacture of RAC5809, for the treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers in horses

Submission period:  28 September 2009 - 10 November 2009

ERMA200116 by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to import DAI, and manufacture BD1620RH for use as a veterinary medicine for topical use in cattle

Submission period: 28 September 2009 - 10 November 2009

ERMA200117 by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to import or manufacture BD1990RH as a veterinary medicine for topical use in cattle

Submission period: 28 September 2009 - 10 November 2009

ERMA200122 by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to import or manfacture BM1981RH as a veterinary medicine for topical use in cattle

Submission period: 30 September 2009 - 12 November 2009

ERMA200123  by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to import or manufacture BM1991RH as a veterinary medicine for topical use in cattle

Submission period: 30 September 2009 - 12 November 2009 

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HS non-notified applications received

ERMA200130 by DuPont (New Zealand) Limited, to import DuPont Arilon Insecticide for control of cockroaches and other insects in homes, factories, restaurants, offices and other similar environments

Formally received: 9 September 2009

ERMA200083 by Connovation Limited, to import or manufacture into containment a pellet bait containing potassium cyanide at 475 g/kg to undertake a field trial on Bennett’s wallaby in the South Island

Formally received: 11 September 2009

ERMA200140 by Orion Crop Protection Limited, to import OCP0903 as a herbicide for use in cereal and ryegrass seed crops

Formally received: 21 September 2009

ERMA200141 by Orion Crop Protection Limited, to import OCP0904 as a herbicide

Formally received: 21 September 2009

ERMA200059 by Adria New Zealand Limited, to register Pilan 500SC as an insecticide for use in various crops

Formally received: 22 September 2009

ERMA200135 by Trical Inc, to import PIC PLUS FUMIGANT for use as a preplant soil fumigant

Formally received: 24 September 2009

ERMA200149 by BioGlobal Ltd, to import Lucilure A, Lucilure B and Lucilure C as attractants to control flystrike in sheep

Formally received: 28 September 2009

ERMA200155 by Dare Solutions Ltd NZ, to import or manufacture Sure Duz Mosquito Candle

Formally received: 28 September 2009

ERMA200150 by Ancare Scientific Limited, to import or manufacture ETA 688 as a veterinary medicine for the treatment and prevention of parasites in livestock

Formally received: 29 September 2009

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HS decisions on applications

Decisions were made by the Authority of ERMA New Zealand on the following applications:

HSR08145 by Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, to import Preventol A20 and Preventol A20-CT30 as manufacturing concentrates with fungicidal properties for use in the preparation of other mixtures

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 3 September 2009

HSR08051 by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to import or manufacture MSO1474PP for use as a veterinary medicine in cats

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 3 September 2009 

HSR08113 by BASF New Zealand Limited, to import or manufacture the fungicide VIVANDO for use as a dilute foliar spray to control powdery mildew on commercial cucurbit crops

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 4 September 2009

HSR09032 by BASF New Zealand Limited, to import or manufacture Aramo, containing tepraloxydim, as a herbicide for the control of grass weeds in annual crops

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 9 September 2009

HSR09050 by Ancare Scientific Limited, to import or manufacture LMCIL-25 as a topical veterinary medicine for the treatment and prevention of parasites in livestock

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 15 September 2009

HSR07111 by Fort Dodge New Zealand Limited, to import Moxidectin and Triclabendazole Oral Drench, a veterinary medicine for prevention of parasites in farm animals

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 24 September 2009 

HSR09042 by Nufarm New Zealand Limited, to import or manufacture Crest 520 as a post emergence herbicide for the control of grass weeds in many broadleaf crops, orchards and forestry

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 28 September 2009 

HSR08009 by ERMA New Zealand, to develop a Group Standard for Organic Peroxide, Toxic [6.1], Corrosive Substances

Decision notified: 29 September 2009

This decision will come into effect 28 days after this notice has been gazetted.

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HS decisions on applications - delegated authority

The Chief Executive of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, acting under delegated power from the Authority, reached a decision on the following applications:

ERMA200088 by Renovo Technologies Ltd, to manufacture Renegade 100SC as an insecticide for use in domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 3 September 2009

ERMA200065 by Agronica New Zealand Limited, to import Protugan Herbicide for grass and broadleaf weed control in wheat and winter sown barley

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 3 September 2009

ERMA200092 by Damar Industries Limited, to manufacture Multi Fit Commercial Insect Killer as an insecticide for use in domestic, industrial, commercial and agricultural buildings

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 4 September 2009 

ERMA200058 by Connovation Limited, to undertake two field trials in the South Island with a paste bait and / or an extruded pellet bait containing cholecalciferol at 4g/kg

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 8 September 2009 

ERMA200077 by Troy Laboratories NZ Pty Ltd, to import TL0609 as a veterinary medicine for the treatment of farm and domestic animals

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 10 September 2009

ERMA200057 by Pestrol New Zealand Ltd, to import Pestrol Automatic Control System as an insecticide for domestic, commercial and agricultural use

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 10 September 2009 

ERMA200115 by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to manufacture BDL1526RH as a veterinary medicine for use in cattle

Application decision: Approved with controls

Formally received: 8 September 2009

Decision notified: 22 September 2009

ERMA200110 by Bomac Laboratories Limited, to manufacture BML1982RH as a veterinary medicine for use in cattle

Application decision: Approved with controls

Formally received: 8 September 2009

Decision notified: 23 September 2009

HSC09008 by AgriSource Ltd, to import or manufacture in containment AID0011 containing pyraflufen-ethyl with combustible, toxic and ecotoxic properties, for use alone and in tank mixtures for brushweed desiccation and as a pre-harvest contact desiccant of potato and clover / lucerne crops

Application decision: Approved with controls

Decision notified: 24 September 2009 

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Amendments to approvals

The following amendments made under section 67A of the HSNO Act for minor or technical errors amendments were decided by the Authority:

ERMA200128 by Bayer New Zealand Limited, to correct a typographical error in the decision document, changing the incorrect approval number listed as HSR001680 to the correct number HSR001679

Amendment date: 8 September 2009

ERMA200097 by Pfizer New Zealand Limited, to extend the existing containment approval to allow the manufacture of an additional 15 L of PF-00520904 - Formulation 2 for the use in clinical trials

Amendment date: 11 September 2009

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Test Certifiers

The Chief Executive of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, acting under delegated power from the Authority, reached decisions on the following application. The full requirements and limitations for the following Test Certifier are available on our public register or website.

TST100000, to approve Alison Hora as a periodic tester.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 1 September 2009

TST100002, to approve Hayden Salmons as a test certifier.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 1 September 2009

TST100003, to approve Grant Leighton as a test certifier.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 1 September 2009

TST100004, to approve Rick Solomon as a periodic tester.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 11 September 2009

TST100005, to approve Yuji Shibahara as a periodic tester.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 14 September 2009 

TST100006, to approve Andrew Simpson as a periodic tester.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 24 September 2009 

TST100007, to approve Tom Crisp as a periodic tester.

Application decision: Approved with limitations.

Decision notified 24 September 2009

Recent Publications 

The following ERMA Publications are now available. For more information on their availablity, please contact publicationsinfo@ermanz.govt.nz.

Chemical Safety in the Workplace (September 2009)

Te Putara: Issue 17  (October 2009)

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