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Explainer: How tertiary containment protects tank sites
Environmental Protection Authority

Explainer: How tertiary containment protects tank sites

New guidance says tank farms need a third line of defence, or spills and firefighting run-off could escape bunds and spread beyond site.

By Sean Mitchell • 8 min read • Last month
Safety review highlights risks of mismanaging agri-chemicals
Risk & Compliance

Safety review highlights risks of mismanaging agri-chemicals

More than a third of farm safety checks found hazardous substances management needed improvement, WorkSafe says.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Sat, 6th Jun 2026
The danger we still do not see
Risk & Compliance

The danger we still do not see

Asbestos still claims about 220 lives a year in New Zealand, making proper identification on older worksites crucial to prevent exposure.

By Staff Writer • 4 min read • Wed, 10th Sep 2025
Hazardous dust is dangerous but easily controllable
Risk & Compliance

Hazardous dust is dangerous but easily controllable

Poorly controlled dust can trigger serious lung disease, but WorkSafe says the right industrial vacuum can keep it contained.

By Staff Writer • 5 min read • Tue, 9th Sep 2025
Good practice guide for asbestos surveys
Risk & Compliance

Good practice guide for asbestos surveys

Buildings erected before 2000 are most at risk, as WorkSafe's new guide aims to help surveyors spot asbestos and prevent unsafe exposure.

By Staff Writer • 3 min read • Tue, 12th Aug 2025
Survivors recount toxic gas ordeal
Risk & Compliance

Survivors recount toxic gas ordeal

Two workers have described flashbacks, burns and lasting trauma after being overcome by hydrogen sulphide at a Greymouth waste site.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Wed, 23rd Jul 2025
Fraudulent asbestos removals catch up with project manager
Risk & Compliance

Fraudulent asbestos removals catch up with project manager

Customers may have been exposed to unsafe asbestos handling after a project manager used a firm's name to pocket NZD $21,938.75.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Sun, 13th Apr 2025
AI tech deployed after chemical burn incident
Risk & Compliance

AI tech deployed after chemical burn incident

The safeguard deal follows eye burns to a worker and will see Ecostore spend more than GBP £160,000 on AI alerts, training and PPE.

By Michael Curreen • 4 min read • Fri, 31st Jan 2025
Restrictions proposed around pesticide use
Risk & Compliance

Restrictions proposed around pesticide use

Workers could face tighter protection from pesticide residues, as WorkSafe consults on new exclusion periods and updated guidance.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Tue, 13th Aug 2024
New regulations for engineered stone
Regulation

New regulations for engineered stone

Worker exposure to silica will be tighter from July, as Australia rolls out new rules backing the engineered stone ban and broader material controls.

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Wed, 15th May 2024
Pressure mounting to ban engineered stone
Regulation

Pressure mounting to ban engineered stone

Calls are growing for New Zealand to follow Australia and ban the material, as experts warn silica dust can cause fatal lung disease.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Wed, 20th Mar 2024
Long way to go after more asbestos prosecutions
Risk & Compliance

Long way to go after more asbestos prosecutions

Preventable asbestos disease still kills about 220 people a year, prompting WorkSafe to warn tradies and businesses after fresh prosecutions.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Mon, 11th Dec 2023
Transportation of dangerous goods a rising concern in the US
Supply Chain

Transportation of dangerous goods a rising concern in the US

Recent rail incidents have heightened calls for clearer US rules and closer industry-government cooperation on hazardous materials safety.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Tue, 21st Nov 2023
Safe Work Australia supports call to ban of engineered stone
Supply Chain

Safe Work Australia supports call to ban of engineered stone

A nationwide ban could soon hit Australian worksites after regulators warned the stone is linked to silicosis in younger workers.

By Michael Curreen • 5 min read • Mon, 30th Oct 2023
Restrictions around supply of hazardous substances
Supply Chain

Restrictions around supply of hazardous substances

Suppliers must now verify competent persons in writing before selling certain hazardous chemicals, as regulators step up compliance checks.

By Michael Curreen • 3 min read • Fri, 27th Oct 2023
Two jailed for health & safety cover-up
Risk & Compliance

Two jailed for health & safety cover-up

WorkSafe says the deception meant Aimex’s earlier sentencing lacked full context after a near-identical exposure a week before was concealed.

By Michael Curreen • 2 min read • Wed, 2nd Aug 2023

Global Stories

Hazardous materials & substances stories

How AI is modernising maritime procurement
Digital Transformation

How AI is modernising maritime procurement

Shipping firms in Asia Pacific are using AI to cut procurement errors, speed compliance checks and improve emissions tracking, an Achilles survey found.

By Carsten Schmidt • 5 min read • Last month

Stories from Other Regions

Hazardous materials & substances stories