NZQA registered unit standard
20733 version 3
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of safe storage and handling of hazardous
substances in the workplace
Level
3
Credits
4
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard will be able to
demonstrate knowledge of: technical vocabulary and
documentation for hazardous substances; the properties and
effects of hazardous substances; precautions relating to the
storage and handling of hazardous substances in the
workplace; and responsibilities relating to the safe storage and
handling of hazardous substances.
Classification
Occupational Health and Safety > Occupational Health and
Safety Practice
Available grade
Achieved
Entry information
Recommended skills
and knowledge
Unit 497, Demonstrate knowledge of workplace health and
safety requirements, or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and
skills.
Explanatory notes
1
Credit for this unit standard does not qualify a person as an approved handler of
hazardous substances. Those wishing to be certified as an approved handler under
the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act) must meet the
requirements of that Act.
2
Legislative requirements include but are not limited to – the HSNO Act; HSNO
Regulations; Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 (HSE Act); Health and
Safety in Employment Regulations 1995; Resource Management Act 1991, and any
subsequent amendments.
3
Definitions
EPA is the Environmental Protection Authority.
Hazardous substances has the same meaning as in the HSNO Act.
Organisational requirements refer to instructions to staff on policy and procedures,
which are documented in memo and/or manual format and are available in the
workplace. These requirements may include but are not limited to – site specific
requirements, company quality management requirements, approved codes of
practice and guidelines, and legislative requirements.
Segregation refers to the distance between the hazardous substances and other
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
20733 version 3
Page 2 of 4
goods or other hazardous substances.
Separation refers to the isolation distances, boundaries, protected works, or areas
considered public places by law.
Workplace has the same meaning as place of work in the HSNO Act and the HSE
Act.
4
Reference material includes Codes of Practice and Guidelines approved by EPA and
recommended as a means of compliance with the HSNO Act.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of technical vocabulary and documentation for hazardous
substances.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Terms used in relation to hazardous substances are identified and explained.
Range
1.2
Marks used for identifying hazardous substances are identified and described.
Range
1.3
includes but is not limited to – hazard classification, exposure
limits, risk management organisations.
includes but is not limited to – common name, class, United
Nations number, HAZCHEM code warning statement.
Documentation used for the identification of hazardous substances is identified
and described.
Range
includes but is not limited to – dangerous goods declarations,
emergency response procedures, Material Safety Data Sheets.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the properties and effects of hazardous substances.
Range
an example of a hazardous substance is given for each range item.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Common states of hazardous substances are identified.
Range
2.2
Common properties of hazardous substances are identified.
Range
2.3
gas, liquid, solid.
explosive, flammable, corrosive, oxidising, toxic, ecotoxic.
Means by which hazardous substances can harm people are described.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
Range
2.4
inhalation, ingestion, skin absorption, eye contact.
Harmful effects of hazardous substances on people are described.
Range
2.5
20733 version 3
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may include but is not limited to – poisoning, respiratory problems,
burns, allergic reactions, rashes, cancer.
Harmful effects of hazardous substances on the environment are described.
Range
may include but is not limited to – contamination of the air, land,
and waterways.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of precautions relating to the storage and handling of hazardous
substances in the workplace.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Description includes precautions for hazardous substances in terms of personal
safety.
Range
3.2
Description includes precautions against hazardous substances in terms of
organisational compliance.
Range
3.3
includes but is not limited to – knowledge of substances used in
the workplace, personal protective equipment, following safe
operating procedures.
includes but is not limited to – rules on compatibility, segregation,
separation, storage, stacking height, handling, protecting staff and
public from possible harm.
Description includes precautions against hazardous substances in terms of
environmental protection measures.
Range
includes but is not limited to – protection against exposure, spill
response, emergency response plans, disposal.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate knowledge of responsibilities relating to the safe storage and handling of
hazardous substances.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Description includes the responsibilities of the individual in terms of
organisational procedures and legislative requirements.
4.2
Description includes the responsibilities of the organisation in terms of
organisational procedures and legislative requirements.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
Planned review date
20733 version 3
Page 4 of 4
31 December 2015
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
18 February 2005
N/A
Review
2
25 May 2007
N/A
Rollover and
Revision
3
22 May 2014
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0003
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards, or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation reviewcomments@skills.org.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills Organisation
SSB Code 100401
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016