Timber treatment plants store and handle significant quantities of hazardous substances. Careful management of these substances is important to protect people and the environment.

Some of the typical types of chemicals used in timber treatment are:

• Antisapstains, e.g. Hylite and Taratek
• Copper-chromium-arsenic salts, e.g. CCA Oxide and Tanalith C
• Light Organic Solvent Preservatives (LOSP), e.g. Organotect and Protim LCWR
• Boron Salts, e.g Diffusol and Tanalith E
• Alkyl ammonium preservatives, e.g ACQ for Timber Treatment and Mokubo AAC

Timber treatment best practice guideline

We have produced guidance on the safe handling of hazardous substances in the timber treatment industry.

Best practice guideline for the safe use of timber preservatives & antisapstain chemicals

This guidance gives advice on how to safely manage the risks of using hazardous substances  timber treatment industry.

Controls on chemicals

To find out what the controls are on the chemical(s) you are using, search the Approved hazardous substances with controls(external link) database and download the substance controls document.

There are a number of key controls that need to be followed to help you comply with the hazardous substances legislation. Use the hazardous substances calculator(external link) to find out about these.

Compliance certification requirements

Depending on the type and quantity of chemicals held at your site, you may require one or more of the following compliance certificates:

• location compliance certificate
• certified handler compliance certificate
• stationary container compliance certificate

If you are unsure about your compliance certification requirements, contact a compliance certifier for advice.

Find a compliance certifier(external link)

As a general rule, you should keep the quantities of hazardous substances stored on your site to a minimum. In this way the risks may be reduced and the need for compliance certification reduced