Articles tagged with Hazardous Substances
New Tailored Health and Safety Rules to Ease Lab Work Regulations by 2026
6 days ago | 106 viewsHealth and safety regulations for research laboratories are currently impractical and overly restrictive, as they apply the same rules as large industrial hazardous substance operations, leading to increased risks and significant compliance costs estimated between $1.5 billion to $3 billion. The removal of a specialized compliance pathway in 2017 left laboratories bound by unsuitable rules, but the government, led by Minister Brooke van Velden, plans to introduce tailored regulations and an Approved Code of Practice by 2026 to better address the unique risks in laboratory environments. This reform aims to balance safety with practicality, enabling scientists to use their expertise for effective risk management without unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Universities New Zealand Independent Research Association of New Zealand Health and Safety at Work Regulations research laboratories hazardous substances regulatory relief Approved Code of Practice health and safety complianceProposed Changes for Innovation: Health & Safety Regulations in NZ Science Sector
6 months ago | 2221 viewsWorkplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing changes to health and safety regulations to support innovation in New Zealand's science and technology sector by simplifying compliance requirements. The proposed changes aim to align hazardous substances requirements for university laboratories with their actual risk, addressing discrepancies in regulations that hinder scientific progress. Additionally, consultations are underway to remove regulatory barriers for the development and use of hydrogen technologies, with the goal of creating a flexible and internationally aligned regulatory environment to unlock the potential of hydrogen technologies across various sectors.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Workplace Relations and Safety Minister health and safety regulations innovation science and technology sector hazardous substances university laboratories regulatory barriers hydrogen technologies safety requirements