Waitemata by-law to control chemicals

Press, 6 September 1989, Page 49

Waitemata by-law to control chemicals

PA Auckland Waitemata City will become the first local authority to introduce a bylaw protecting residents and workers from dangerous substances. The hazardous substances by-law has been opposed by the Chemical Industry Council, which believed that controls are the Government’s job. But an industrial chemist, Cr Roger Keen, said Waitemata had waited long enough for the Government to introduce strict controls. About 1000 Waitemata firms were handling dangerous substances, including chemicals capable of causing brain tumours and cancers, he said. Waitemata’s chief environmental health officer, Mr Eric Donald, said accidents were happening in Waitemata all the time. Recent incidents included a large cyanide spill in Te Atatu and chemicals pouring across a Kelston road.

The by-law would mean that any person handling hazardous substances over a certain quantity would have to get council permission. Companies would have to declare the use of all raw materials used and products made from them. The council hoped that companies would be honest but, if necessary, inspectors would be sent in to check. The by-law would also introduce a new safety system which the Fire Service said was long overdue. The overseas system would require anyone storing chemicals to display a coded sign outside their premises identifying the type of substances inside. In an emergency, the Fire Service would immediately know what action to take.

Companies would have to formulate a procedure for mopping up after accidents. Mr Keen said the council had received less op-

positon to the by-law than expected.

The council move had been praised by the Northern Chemical Workers’ Union which said people were being subjected to potentially life-threatening situations because substances were not properly labelled. The Chemical Industry Council’s executive director, Mr lan Blincoe, said the council had expressed its displeasure at the proposal on the grounds that procedures for handling hazardous substances should be laid down at national level.

“If all other local authorities followed Waitemata all hell would break loose,” he said.

The council hoped a national standard would be set up next year, following the recent announcement of an agency to be established through the resource management law reform of the Ministry of the Environment.