Hazardous Substances Training in NZ

Practical, NZQA-aligned hazardous substances training. Build capable, decisive responders who respect the materials they work with and know exactly how to handle an emergency.

Aligned with the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, IMPAC's Hazardous Substances training pathway equips personnel with the critical skills to safely manage toxic, flammable, and volatile materials. We bridge the gap between passive compliance and active risk management — eliminating proximity blind spots and chemical complacency to build a vigilant, capable workforce.

Our Courses

IMPAC Training

Category overview

Treating an industrial solvent with the same complacency as a household cleaner is a disaster waiting to happen. Assuming contractors are safe just because they're working ten metres away from a chemical mixing zone is a massive operational blind spot. When personnel lack rigorous hazardous substances training, they file the Safety Data Sheet away without reading it, rely on a "she'll be right" attitude, and turn minor leaks into severe environmental and health crises.

Across our entire Hazardous Substances pathway — from direct handling and storage to proximity awareness and active spill management — we leave the dry, academic chemistry lectures in the past. Our industry-experienced trainers deliver highly tactile, scenario-based workshops focused entirely on real-world readiness, with practical demonstrations and simulated containment exercises that build genuine muscle memory.

We empower your handlers, contractors, and safety officers with the quiet confidence to identify chemical risks before they escalate, implement robust exposure controls, and execute structured emergency responses that ensure every person gets home safely.

Key Focus Areas

What this training covers

Safe handling, storage and classification

Move beyond basic labels. Accurately classify toxic and volatile materials, interpret detailed Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and apply the correct PPE and storage protocols to prevent cross-contamination and long-term health exposure.

Proximity awareness for general staff

Eliminate the "I don't touch it, so I'm safe" mentality. Equip contractors, visitors, and general personnel with the awareness to identify nearby chemical hazards, locate safety information, and evacuate safely during an incident.

Spill management and containment

Stop panicking and start managing. Gain the physical skills to rapidly assess a chemical release, deploy the correct absorbent materials, and execute a structured spill response that protects your people and the environment.

Emergency response and incident reporting

Lock down an affected area, initiate emergency protocols for uncontrolled releases, and complete accurate incident reporting to prevent future occurrences.

Available Courses

Our Hazardous Substances courses

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Working with New Zealand's legal framework

Applicable Safety Regulations in New Zealand

Managing highly toxic or flammable materials requires strict adherence to national legislation. Our training ensures your personnel understand and apply these critical frameworks on the shop floor:

Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 — The primary regulatory standard dictating how highly hazardous materials must be classified, stored, handled, and controlled in New Zealand workplaces.
HSNO Act — The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, the foundational legislation protecting the environment and public health from the adverse effects of hazardous substances.
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) — The overarching duty of care for PCBUs to eliminate or minimise risks to worker health from hazardous substances.
WorkSafe New Zealand Guidance — Practical regulatory expectations for SDS interpretation, exposure controls, certified handler requirements, and spill response.

NZQA Unit Standards

Our training pathway delivers nationally recognised unit standards covering chemical handling, workplace awareness, and spill management.

US 31290 — Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous substances handling and storage.
US 31292 — Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous substances in the workplace (awareness).
US 31293 — Demonstrate knowledge of emergency response and spill management for hazardous substances.

Who Should Enrol

Industries and Roles

Direct Handlers and Technicians

Manufacturing, petrochemical, and construction workers who physically pour, mix, transport, or store dangerous materials on a daily basis.

Site Supervisors and Safety Officers

Leaders responsible for enforcing site compliance, maintaining the hazardous substances inventory, and initiating emergency response protocols during an uncontrolled release.

Contractors, visitors and general staff

Personnel who operate near chemical work zones but do not directly handle the substances, requiring crucial awareness to avoid accidental exposure or interference.

Emergency and Spill Responders

Designated frontline team members tasked with containing, neutralising, and reporting accidental workplace spills.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The full-day Handling and Storage course (Unit Standards 31290 & 31293) is for workers who physically manipulate, store, and manage chemicals. The half-day In the Workplace course (Unit Standard 31292) is an awareness module specifically for contractors and staff who work around chemicals but do not directly handle them.

Throwing a generic absorbent on certain chemicals can cause a volatile thermal reaction, fire, or toxic vapour cloud. Our Spill Management training teaches responders to identify the specific properties of the substance via the SDS before selecting the appropriate containment method.

An SDS isn't just a compliance document; it is an operational instruction manual for survival. It tells your team exactly what PPE is required, how the chemical reacts with other substances, and the precise first aid and spill response measures needed during an emergency.