Explosives (including pyrotechnics)

To use and store explosives safely (including pyrotechnics), you must comply with the requirements set out in the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.

Transhipping explosives (Class 1 substances) through New Zealand

If your business is moving explosives through New Zealand on the way to another country (transhipping), you may need approval from WorkSafe and/or the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

9.0 Using explosives

Geothermal consents and reports

As a bore owner or manager, you need specific consents before using explosives, and starting drilling, suspending, or abandoning a bore.

Controlled substance licences

You will require a controlled substance licence (CSL) to possess certain explosives, vertebrate toxic agents or fumigants.

Part D – Managing safety risks for extractives operations

This part of the guide sets out site safety practices for working with explosives, managing ground instability, tipping and dumping material, storing water and tailings, vehicles and traffic management, as well as managing hazards relating to plant and structures.

Additional competency requirements

Details of new competency requirements for work in operations using explosives, work underground or work in operations involving coal extraction.

Controlled substances licences

This operational policy outlines the approach WorkSafe will take to administering the CSL authorisation regime.

Certified handlers

A certified handler is someone who has been certified to handle very hazardous substances. If you handle acutely toxic (class 6.1A and 6.1B) substances, explosives, fumigants and vertebrate toxic agents you may need to be a certified handler.
Certified handler compliance certificates are issued by compliance certifiers and are valid for five years. The compliance certifier will tell you what they need from you before they can issue the compliance certificate.

Mining

Mining specific guidance on electricity, ventilation, fire and explosion and hazard management in mines.

Fire or explosion in underground mines and tunnels

This ACOP can assist site senior executives in developing fire or explosion principal hazard management plans.

List of application forms

Apply for an authorisation or exemption, or get registered for your type of work.

Report scheduled or completed work

Notify us of scheduled or completed work required under the Health and Safety at Work Regulations.

Notification of commissioning of hazardous substance location or transit depot

Notify us before you commission a hazardous substances location or transit depot.

Particular hazardous work (Notifiable works)

You must provide WorkSafe with 24 hours' notice of work that is particularly hazardous.

3.0 Introduction to HSWA

Consultations

Whether you‘re a representative from a large organisation, a self-employed contractor or an interested member of the public, your views are important to us and we encourage you to have your say.

Health and safety at opencast mines, alluvial mines and quarries

These good practice guidelines give practical advice on health and safety control measures at opencast mines, alluvial mines and quarries.

Mobile elevating work platforms

This good practice guideline outlines requirements when working with mobile elevating work platforms.

Key points

2.0 Health and safety management systems

3.0 Emergency management

5.0 Hazardous substances

Appendix A: Glossary

Signs

Signs are an important part of hazardous substances management. Signs allow people to approach the site and buildings with appropriate care.

Substances

Find useful substance-specific guidance. These will be updated over time to reflect the Hazardous Substances Regulations.

Certification of people

How to become a certified handler, an approved filler, or a compliance certifier.

About Hazardous substances

Find out what hazardous substances are and why they must be managed safely.

How to use the quantity-ratio sum (QRS) to work out whether a workplace requires a ‘hazardous substance location’ (HSL) or a location compliance certificate (LCC)

For PCBUs to work out, based on the hazardous substances they use, make, or hold: whether they require a ‘hazardous substance location’ (HSL), or whether they will need a location compliance certificate (LCC).

News and media

We produce a range of information to keep you informed about our work. Here you can access our latest media releases, newsletters, bulletins and safety alerts.

Your practical guide to working safely with hazardous substances

This practical guide provides information on how to manage hazardous substances in your workplace safely.

Publications and resources

We produce a range of publications and resources to help you understand and manage the risks associated with your business. You can browse by topic, industry and type of resource

Petroleum notifications: quick guide

This quick guide explains when petroleum related notifications are required, and how you can notify us.