A transit depot is a permanent place where packaged hazardous substances may be held for a maximum period of 3 days, provided that the containers are not opened. The transit depot is an integral part of the transport system when substances are passing through, for example, ports, airports, freight forwarders’ yards, rail depots etc. (Transit Depots).
Transit depots may store and handle significant quantities of hazardous substances, consequently, careful management of these is important in order to protect both people and the environment. Transit depots must comply with the HSNO legislation, albeit, particular provisions have been specified for the management of such facilities.
All chemicals in transit are required to comply with the regulatory requirements of one or more of the transport modes. The transport rules for dangerous goods by air are specified in the Civil Aviation Rules, Part 93, for sea transport in the Maritime Rules Part 24A and for road & rail in the Land Transport Dangerous Goods, Rule 45001, 2005. As far as hazardous substances are concerned the intent of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act is to manage hazardous substances throughout their whole lifecycle i.e. manufacture, use, handling, storage, transport, and disposal. Thus the legislation is concerned with occupational safety, consumer safety and environmental safety in addition to transport safety and the HSNO classification system is much wider than that for the transport of dangerous goods to cater for these lifecycle responsibilities.
This page contains information to assist persons in charge of transit depots and others working in this sector on managing these hazardous substances. It provides a series of links to information and guidance material on the following topics:
- Health and Safety in Transit Depots Introduction
- Interface with other legislation
- Person in charge
- Approved handlers
- Goods held at a transit depot
- Labels, safety data sheets and signage
- Tracking and record keeping
- Emergency management
- Spill procedures and spill kits
Hazardous Substances Register
HSNO requirements for any product likely to be in a transit depot are summarised on the ERMA New Zealand Hazardous Substances Register.
You can search this register using the Trade Name of the product (e.g. Touchdown). Enter the Trade Name in the "Alternative Name" field of the search engine and press "Search".
HSNO Enforcement
The Department of Labour enforces the HSNO legislation in a place of work. You can contact an enforcement officer for guidance and advice on HSNO compliance at your Regional Department of Labour Office.
Contact ERMA New Zealand
Information on HSNO compliance is also available from ERMA New Zealand. Contact our Hazardous Substances Compliance Line:
Phone: 0800 376 234, or
Email: hsinfo@ermanz.govt.nz
Or contact us at:
ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131
Wellington