Growsafe Storage and Transport 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the NZ requirement for ventilation in an agrichemical storage area?
- Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation to prevent buildup of toxic vapours (Correct answer)
- Storage areas must be completely sealed to prevent theft
- Ventilation is only required for fumigant storage
- Air conditioning is mandatory in all chemical stores
Correct answer: Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation to prevent buildup of toxic vapours
NZ regulations require adequate ventilation in agrichemical stores — either natural cross-ventilation through vents or mechanical ventilation — to prevent the buildup of toxic vapours that could harm anyone entering the store.
Question 2: According to NZ regulations, what must happen to agrichemicals that have passed their expiry date?
- They must be disposed of as hazardous waste through an approved waste management company (Correct answer)
- They can continue to be used at double the label rate
- They should be poured down the drain
- They automatically become safe and can go in general waste
Correct answer: They must be disposed of as hazardous waste through an approved waste management company
Expired agrichemicals must be disposed of as hazardous waste through an approved waste management company or through industry take-back programmes. They should never be used, poured down drains, or placed in general waste.
Question 3: What class of dangerous goods licence does a NZ driver need to transport large quantities of agrichemicals?
- A Dangerous Goods (DG) endorsement on their driver licence (Correct answer)
- No special endorsement is ever required
- A forklift licence is sufficient
- A pilot's licence for aerial transport only
Correct answer: A Dangerous Goods (DG) endorsement on their driver licence
For transporting quantities above the threshold levels, NZ drivers need a Dangerous Goods (DG) endorsement on their driver licence, which requires completing an approved training course and passing a test.
Question 4: What security measures does NZ law require for agrichemical storage facilities?
- The store must be locked and access restricted to authorised persons only (Correct answer)
- No security is required on private farmland
- CCTV cameras are mandatory on all chemical stores
- Armed security guards must be present at all times
Correct answer: The store must be locked and access restricted to authorised persons only
NZ law requires that agrichemical storage facilities be locked and that access is restricted to authorised persons only. This prevents theft, misuse, and accidental exposure by untrained people, particularly children.
Question 5: When loading agrichemicals onto a vehicle for transport in NZ, what must be ensured?
- Containers are secure, upright, and cannot shift during transit, with incompatible chemicals separated (Correct answer)
- Containers can be placed loosely as long as the vehicle has sides
- Only one type of chemical can be transported at a time
- The vehicle must have a refrigeration unit
Correct answer: Containers are secure, upright, and cannot shift during transit, with incompatible chemicals separated
When loading for transport, all containers must be secured upright to prevent leakage, restrained so they cannot shift during transit, and incompatible chemicals must be separated according to the NZ Land Transport Rule for Dangerous Goods.
Question 6: What is the NZ requirement for fire extinguishers in agrichemical storage areas?
- Appropriate fire extinguishers must be readily accessible at or near the store entrance (Correct answer)
- Fire extinguishers are optional for small stores
- Only water-based extinguishers are permitted near chemicals
- Fire extinguishers inside the store are prohibited
Correct answer: Appropriate fire extinguishers must be readily accessible at or near the store entrance
NZ standards require that appropriate fire extinguishers (dry powder or foam type) are readily accessible at or near the entrance to agrichemical storage areas. Water extinguishers may not be appropriate for some chemical fires.
Growsafe Storage and Transport 2
What is the NZ requirement for ventilation in an agrichemical storage area?