This Guideline describes the requirements for the preferred design and layout of treatment plants and practices when using timber preservatives and antisapstain chemicals.

It applies to employers, employees and any others with duties under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, the Hazardous Substances & New Organisms Act 1996 and the Resource Management Act 1991. It essentially provides a means to achieve minimum health and safety requirements and protect the environment under these acts.

The Guideline has been developed by an industry committee with the support of the Department of Labour and the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand). It replaces the code of practice which had been approved in 1994 by the Minister of Labour under the Health and Safety in Employment Act. While this document is not an approved code of practice under that Act, the Guideline is, however, endorsed by the Department of Labour as a statement of preferred practice for compliance with the legislation. In addition, although the document is not currently an approved code of practice under the HSNO Act it is recognised by ERMA New Zealand as representing best practice for the safe and responsible management of timber treatment chemicals.

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction, adoption or issuing of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior permission of the New Zealand Timber Preservation Council Inc. In such circumstances the Council, as the publisher, should however be acknowledged. Reproduction, adaptation or issuing of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without the prior permission of the New Zealand Timber Preservation Council Inc.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1 ABOUT THIS GUIDELINE

1.1 Purpose
1.2 Application of Guideline
1.3 How the Guideline is Arranged
1.4 Interpretation
1.5 Review

2 HEALTH & SAFETY IN EMPLOYMENT ACT 1992

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Regulations
2.3 Approved Code of Practice
2.4 Employers’ Duties
2.5 Hazard Management
2.6 Accidents & Serious Harm (Recording & Notification)

3 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & NEW ORGANISMS ACT 1996

3.1 Introduction
3.2 HSNO Process
3.3 Regulations
3.4 Test Certification Requirements
3.5 Approved Handler Requirements
3.6 Tracking Requirements
3.7 Exposure Limits
3.8 Approved Codes of Practice
3.9 HSNO – Approved Timber Treatment Products

4 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT 1991

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Other Legislation

5 DESIGN & OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 General
5.2 Storage Areas for Preservatives, Antisapstain Chemicals & Freshly Treated Timber
5.3 Bunding
5.4 Hazardous Areas for Flammable Solvents – Electrical Requirements
5.5 Warning Signs
5.6 Tanks & Fittings
5.7 Site Security
5.8 Noise
5.9 Safeguarding the Water Supply
5.10 Fire Fighting Equipment

6 SAFETY & HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

6.1 General
6.2 Material Safety Data Sheets
6.3 Ventilation – General Considerations
6.4 Housekeeping
6.5 Use of Changing Rooms & Showers
6.6 Plant Entry, Changing & Toilet Facilities
6.7 Emergency Showers & Eye Washing Facilities
6.8 Eating & Smoking Facilities
6.9 Protective Clothing
6.10 Care of Protective Clothing
6.11 First Aid
6.12 Employee Training
6.13 Medical surveillance
6.14 Management & Employee Responsibilities

7 PLANT OPERATIONS

7.1 Pressure Plants – Description of Process
7.2 Pressure Plants – Design & Operation
7.3 Dip & Spray Plants
7.4 Mixing of Treatment Chemicals
7.5 General Provisions for Mixing
7.6 Emergency Procedures
7.7 Managing Preservative Spills
7.8 Worker Operation Safety
7.9 Equipment Operation
7.10 Environmental Management Plans/Site Auditing

8 TYPES OF PRESERVATIVES

8.1 Waterborne – Leach resistant type
8.2 Waterborne – Non Fixed Type
8.3 Light Organic Solvent Preservatives

9 ANTISAPSTAIN CHEMICALS

9.1 Introduction
9.2 Health & Environmental Hazards

10 DISPOSAL OF WASTES

10.1 Introduction
10.2 Metal or Plastic Drums
10.3 Unwanted Preservatives or Antisapstain Chemicals
10.4 Plastic & Paper Bags
10.5 Sludge
10.6 Disposal of spillages
10.7 Off-cuts & Sawdust
10.8 Steaming Residues
10.9 Discharges to Air
10.10 Disposal of Underground Storage Tanks

11 MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS

11.1 Grading of Timber
11.2 Sawdust & Shavings
11.3 Branding Treated Timber
11.4 Stacking Timber
11.5 Registered Preservatives

12 RELATED LEGISLATION & STANDARDS

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: HSNO Classifications
Appendix 2: Material Safety Data Sheets
Appendix 3: Example of an Entry Permit
Appendix 4: Quantities of Flammable Substances that Trigger Hazardous Substance Location Requirements
Appendix 5: Quantities of Hazardous Substances that Trigger Approved Handler Requirements
Appendix 6: Hazard Classification of Substances that Require Tracking
Appendix 7: List of Timber Treatment Chemicals Requiring Approved Handler & Tracking
Appendix 8: Key Control Codes
Appendix 9: Environmental Management plans – Main Elements
Appendix 10: Publications
Appendix 11: Glossary of Terms