management and minimisation activities and facilities through national, regional and local policy, standards, plans and consent procedures. In this role, the RMA exercises considerable influence over facilities for waste disposal and recycling, recovery, treatment and others in terms of the potential impacts of these facilities on the environment. All Council operated waste management facilities are subject to relevant resource consents. 3.1.6 The Health Act 1956 The Health Act 1956 places obligations on TAs (if required by the Minister of Health) to provide sanitary works for the collection and disposal of refuse, for the purpose of public health protection (Part 2 – Powers and duties of local authorities, s25). It specifically identifies certain waste management practices as nuisances (s29) and offensive trades (Third Schedule). The Health Act enables TAs to raise loans for certain sanitary works and/or to receive government grants and subsidies, where available. Health Act provisions for the removal of refuse by local authorities have been repealed by local government legislation. The Public Health Bill is currently progressing through Parliament. It is a major legislative reform reviewing and updating the Health Act 1956, but it contains similar provisions for sanitary services to those currently contained in the Health Act 1956. 3.1.7 The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 outlines health and safety responsibilities for the management of hazards in relation to employees at work. This could potentially include substances and wastes. The Act requires employers to identify and manage hazards present in the workplace, provide adequate training and supervision, and supply appropriate protective equipment. Employers must take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work, and in particular must take all practicable steps to (among other things) ensure employees are not exposed to hazards arising out of the arrangement, disposal, organisation, processing, storage, transport or use of things in their place of work. Workplace health and safety is recognised as a key concern for the waste industry, with a number of fatalities and serious incidents leading to the formation of a health and safety industry sector group (under the WasteMINZ umbrella). Led by this sector group, and supported by the wider industry, the Accident Compensation Corporation and the Department of Labour, a health and safety waste industry strategy document has been produced. The strategy sets out a vision and objectives, priorities, and examples of current and general guidance to help achieve safe and healthy workplaces within the waste sector. Each waste management facility within the region has an operational plan which takes into account H & S and RMA requirements. 3.1.8 Climate Change (Emissions Trading) Amendment Act 2008 The Climate Change (Emissions Trading) Amendment Act 2008 amends the Climate Change Response Act 2002 by introducing a New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). This legislation made the Bluegums Landfill site liable for its emissions. The landfill has developed a number of unique emissions factors (UEF) based on the composition of the waste and the destruction efficiency of the gas flare. The accuracy of these UEF values is monitored annually and any changes notified to the Environmental Protection agency (EPA). At the end of each calendar year Council submit the site input tonnages to the EPA and receive notification of the calculated surrender obligation. This is an amount in tonnes adjusted by the UEF’s that indicates how many carbon credits need to be surrendered. Council have some 23,000 units advanced purchased with an annual surrender requirement in the range of 7,000 to 9,000 tonnes each year. Page 9