Most of the requirements under the new Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017 will come into force on 1 December 2017.
In the past the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has largely looked after Hazardous Substances under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO). But now under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) responsibilities will be split. Broadly, the EPA will continue to have responsibility for approving and classifying hazardous substances, while WorkSafe will administer and enforce workplace requirements provided in the Regulations.
For those of you working on facilities that involve hazardous substances, this may affect you immediately or later, depending on the many transitional arrangements.
Masterspec have only had to make small modifications to our work sections related to the use of explosives and to include the new Regulation.
You can find out more at the following links
WorkSafe Hazardous Substances Update: When do you need to comply?
Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017
Hazardous substances: How to get ready for this law change