 |
|
New Zealand Veterinary Association Inc., PO Box 11-212, Wellington, New ZealandPhone +64 4 471 0484, Fax +64 4 471 0494, General mail nzva@vets.org.nz |
New Zealand Veterinary Association - About the NZVA |
|
|
New Zealand Veterinary Association - About the NZVA - National Quality Veterinary Services - Approved HandlersHSNO Approved Handlers for Veterinary MedicinesGuide to Approved Handlers for Veterinary Medicines
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 covers the safe management of all hazardous substances. This includes those that are explosive, flammable, corrosive, toxic and harmful to the environment (ecotoxic). This guide specifically relates to veterinary medicines that were transferred to the HSNO Act on 1 July 2005. The HSNO Act requires that a small number of veterinary medicines be under the control of a specially qualified person called an Approved Handler. In addition, the transfer of a few very hazardous veterinary medicines (organophosphates) will need to be recorded or ‘tracked’. To take delivery of a tracked product you will need to ensure that an Approved Handler is in place. This guide explains the role of Approved Handler and how to become one. Who is an Approved Handler?An Approved Handler is a person who is deemed competent and certified to handle certain hazardous veterinary medicines. To become an Approved Handler you must meet the requirements of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (Personnel Qualifications) Regulations 2001. It is a relatively easy process (particularly if you have handled the veterinary medicines before) that requires knowledge of the legislation and practical experience with handling veterinary medicines. What are the responsibilities of an Approved Handler?An Approved Handler must make sure particularly hazardous veterinary medicines are handled safely, and that they do not cause harm to people, nor damage to the environment. The Approved Handler will also be expected to provide guidance to other people handling the veterinary medicines, who are not Approved Handlers, and be available to assist them if needed. Where is an Approved Handler required?Not all veterinary medicines require an Approved Handler. It is only the most hazardous ones and these are listed at the end of this guide (also on www.ermanz.govt.nz/resources/publications/pdfs/vetmedAH.pdf). There may be other substances in a veterinary clinic that require an Approved Handler, such as formalin. When is an Approved Handler not needed?Not everyone handling hazardous veterinary medicines is required to be an Approved Handler. Another person may handle a hazardous veterinary medicine if an Approved Handler:
If an Approved Handler is not present, then the veterinary medicine must be secured so that a person cannot gain access without a key or similar device. An Approved handler need not be a veterinarian. In many situations it will be more practical if the person(s) handling retail supplies becomes the Approved Handler. However, if a veterinarian is using the hazardous veterinary medicine in the ordinary course of their work, they do not need to be an approved handler. This exemption does not apply if the product is stored for resale and an Approved Handler will be required to be present or the product secured. I have never needed a licence before!The HSNO Act has introduced the need for an Approved Handler Test Certificate for certain veterinary medicines. However, having people trained to handle hazardous veterinary medicines has always been a requirement of the law. The HSNO legislation is formalising this requirement where the most hazardous veterinary medicines are used. The requirement for full Approved Handler certification for veterinary medicines comes into effect on 1 January 2007. Are there any exceptions to the rules?Veterinarians, who are storing or using the veterinary medicine in the ordinary course of their business or employment, do not require to be an Approved Handler. However, this exception does not apply when a veterinarian is storing the veterinary medicine for the purposes of resale. In some instances another qualification will be considered equivalent to being an Approved Handler. An example is the transport of packaged goods by road. If the Land Transport Rules are complied with, and the driver has a dangerous goods (D) endorsement on the driver licence, this is considered equivalent to an Approved Handler for transport of the goods. There may be other instances where an equivalent qualification may be acceptable, for example qualifications issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA). How do I become an Approved Handler for veterinary medicines?To obtain an Approved Handler certificate, you will need to demonstrate your knowledge, experience and competence. The detail is found in the regulations, but in plain terms this means:
A ‘full’ certificate is valid for five years from the date of issue. How do I renew a full certificate?At the end of each five-year period you will need to prove you are up to date with any changes to the law and relevant codes of practice that happened in the previous five years. How do I get the full Approved Handler certificate?Full Approved Handler certificates are obtained from a Test Certifier. Test Certifiers are individuals approved by ERMA New Zealand to issue certificates in their area of competency. Where do I find a Test Certifier?A list of Test Certifiers is on the web site at http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/search/tc.html. You may select any Test Certifier from the list who is certified for the veterinary medicines you are responsible for. NQVS has provided a training package that included sign off by a Test Certifier. The Test Certifier must be able to certify Classes 2.12A, 3.1 B, 6, 8 and 9. What will I have to provide to a Test Certifier?The Test Certifier will need evidence of your qualifications in either or both of the following two ways:
Whichever way, or combination of ways you choose, the evidence you provide must describe how your knowledge and skills were assessed and the results of that assessment. To assist the process of becoming Approved Handlers, NZVA is organising a training course that will meet the HSNO legislation and veterinary medicine knowledge requirements. Those who pass this course will still need to provide evidence of practical experience handling veterinary medicines. NZVA will also provide guidance on what constitutes practical experience by providing a practical experience attestation form for completion and signature by a work supervisor. A Test Certifier is not required to physically see an Approved Handler applicant. In most cases an application can be handled satisfactorily by mail provided all the necessary evidence has been made available to the Test Certifier. You should discuss these requirements with your chosen Test Certifier. Where can I get training?There are a number of training providers who cover the hazardous substances legislation. Often this may be in conjunction with Industry Training Organisations (ITOs) or other industry groups. Some organisations that provide Approved Handler training are listed on the ERMA web site at www.ermanz.govt.nz/hs/hs-comp-testcertifiers.asp#approvedhandlers Further informationSee the ERMA NZ website at www.ermanz.govt.nz, or telephone 0800 376 234 (HS Compliance Line). ERMA NZ New Zealand Veterinary Association Veterinary medicines requiring approved handler controlsThis paper lists (alphabetically by trade name) veterinary medicines that will be required to be under the control of an Approved Handler. Some of these substances will also need to be tracked. These products were transferred to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act on 1 July 2005. For further information on the transfer of veterinary medicines, see: www.ermanz.govt.nz/hs/transfer-veterinary-medicines.asp Veterinary medicines that require Approved Handlers and TrackingThe following veterinary medicines are acutely toxic and require approved handlers and tracking. These controls apply regardless of the amount of the product being handled (e.g. used, stored manufactured or sold).
Veterinary medicines that require Approved Handlers onlyThe following veterinary medicines that are flammable, oxidisers or toxic require approved handlers at and above certain trigger quantities (as specified below). There is no requirement for these substances to be tracked. Flammable liquidsThese products require an approved handler at quantities of 250 litres or more (when in containers greater than 5 litres) or 500 litres or more (when in containers up to and including 5 litres).
Flammable aerosolsThese products require an approved handler at quantities of 3,000 litres or more.
Oxidising productsThese products require an approved handler at quantities of 500 litres (liquid) or more.
Other veterinary medicines with toxic propertiesThese products require an approved handler at quantities of 10 kg (solids) or 10 litres (liquid) or more.
There may be substances other than veterinary medicines that are stored for resale in a veterinary business and that could require an Approved Handler (such as methylated spirits, formalin, tail paint, copper sulphate). |
HSNO Inventory check list