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Hazardous Substances & Dangerous Goods WHSPRO-007 CM
Hazardous Substances & Dangerous Goods WHSPRO-007 CM
Introduction
This procedure outlines the requirements for the management of hazardous substances and
dangerous goods in the workplace to minimise affects to health and safety from exposure and
reduce the impact on the environment. The procedure summarises labelling, material safety data
sheets (MSDSs), risk assessment requirements, storage and disposal.
Scope
This procedure relates to all Insert Company Name workplaces and work processes using
hazardous substances that any worker, contractor or visitor may undertake.
Definitions
Carcinogenic - capable of causing cancer.
Class label - the label illustrating the class allocated to a substance under the ADG Code1.
Dangerous Goods – a hazardous substance also defined by the Dangerous Goods Act, (as amended),
to be dangerous. They are classified on the basis of immediate physical or chemical effects that may
impact on people, property or the environment – explosive, flammable, corrosive, chemically
reactive, highly combustible, acutely toxic, radioactive or infectious.
Dangerous goods class - the class allocated to a substance under the ADG Code1.
Designated Hazardous Substance is a hazardous substance that is:
1. listed on National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) list of Designated
Hazardous Substances above its lowest cut-off concentration or
2. that is determined to be a hazardous substance by the manufacturer or importer of the
substance on the basis of NOHSC's Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances.
Hazard is a source of, or situation that has the potential to, harm a person, the environment or
damage property.
Hazardous Substance – is a substance that contains ingredients that may be harmful to health in the
medium or long term.
Label means a set of information on a container which identifies the substance in the container,
identifies whether the substance is hazardous and provides basic information about the safe use and
handling of the substance.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) – information sheets that provide technical information in
relation to substances. These sheets are obtained directly from the manufacturer. Be aware of the
possible differences between the manufacturer’s and generic MSDS’s.
Risk is the probability (likelihood) of harm or damage occurring from exposure to a hazard, and the
likely consequences of that harm or damage.
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The manufacturer’s MSDS must be updated every five years and is obtained from the supplier.
Contracts for the supply of hazardous substances to the Company must include provision for the
supplier to supply the appropriate MSDS and must notify any changes in formulation.
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Labelling
All containers containing any substance must be labelled appropriately. MSDS’s will provide the
information required for labelling.
All containers should be clearly labelled including any risks or significant hazards posed by the
substance. Other details should include; directions for use, first aid and emergency requirements,
expiry date, manufacturer’s details. Identification information must be noted including, product
name, chemical name, UN number and ingredients and formulation details (where relevant).
Placarding
Legislative requirements for placarding of premises are dependent on volumes and packaging groups
of hazardous substances. The following can be recommended as a minimum requirement for the
organisation to minimise risk to emergency services, contractors and employees;
Placarding on any entrance roads to the premises
Placarding at the entrance to the buildings
Placarding on entrance doors to storage facilities
Placards for class 3,6 and 8
where there is storage greater than 25Lt of hazardous substance (with the exception of class
6.1 packaging group 1. where it is 10Lt)
Placarding involves the use of hazardous substance diamonds indicating class and Hazchem placards
for entrances.
More information is available from the Guidance Note for Placarding Stores for Dangerous Goods
and Specified Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:3009(1990)] This should be referred to determine if
placarding is required under legislation. Placarding should also be dependent on risk assessment for
the areas.
Storage
All hazardous substances are kept in secured storage facilities. The doors are kept locked except
when there is an employee present who has been assigned the responsibility of accessing this area.
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Segregation of Chemicals
In general, each class of dangerous goods should be segregated by a physical barrier. More detailed
information is available from the MSDS.
The risks involved in the interaction of incompatible substances can include;
uncontrolled release of heat
emission of noxious fumes
explosion.
It is important that Hazardous Substance Risk Assessment form is completed prior to the mixing of
chemicals
Shelf Storage
Where chemicals are kept on shelves or racks the following is recommended;
Shelving must be compatible with the goods stored
the shelves should be constructed of chemically resistant materials
shelving systems must be designed to hold the maximum holding capacity of the chemical
containers;
incompatible chemicals should not be stored together on shelves.
solid chemicals should preferably be stored on upper shelves above liquid chemicals;
secondary containment (bunding) is essential for large containers. As a priority all
dangerous goods of this size should be bunded.
shelves should have raised edges to reduce the likelihood of dislodging.
the most dangerous chemicals should be stored at easily accessible heights (e.g. 1.5 m from
the floor)
chemicals should not be stored in direct sunlight.
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Storage in Refrigerators
Where refrigeration is required for hazardous substances, there must be a dedicated refrigerator
which is or has been made intrinsically safe. Substances for human consumption must not be stored
in the same refrigerator.
Storage in Cabinets
Where chemicals are stored in cabinets it must be ensured that;
The cabinet is marked with the appropriate hazardous class diamonds
They are constructed of chemically resistant material
Flammable liquid storage cupboards must be self closing with two points of contact
Incompatible substances are not stored together.
Disposal
MSDS’s should be viewed to determine the most appropriate means of disposal. All substances no
longer required are to be removed from the site by a licensed operator for disposal, as per
Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines.
Emergency response
Risk assessments will have taken spills and their consequences into account and have documented
procedures. The location of the spill should be taken into consideration when assessing potential
environmental or safety concerns.
Where required, spill kits should be available for use in the event of a spill and documented on the
risk assessment. All personal protective equipment should be available and used in the event of
spills.
In the event of a spill/leakage the following procedures should occur:
1. Ensure there is no danger to anyone in the area.
2. Attempt to contain the spill using appropriate PPE.
3. Absorb any liquids with sand/kitty litter etc.
4. Inform the senior manager of the spill
5. Dispose of waste as per disposal instructions on MSDS
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Risk Assessment
For any process using hazardous substances a risk assessment should be performed and recorded.
For a substance to be used, the hazardous substance risk assessment form must be completed in
consultation with relevant workers or contractors.
Detailed assessments
For some work a more detailed assessment may be required. These situations include those where:
(a) There is uncertainty about the degree of risk;
(b) There is a significant risk to health, for example, exposure to a hazardous substance may be high
and/or the nature of the health hazard is serious; or
(c) More complex chemical processes and/or exposures are involved.
A more detailed assessment might involve obtaining additional information about health hazards, a
thorough evaluation of the work to determine exposures (including monitoring where appropriate),
and examination or testing of existing control measures.
Note: If atmospheric monitoring is required, it needs to be carried out by an appropriately qualified
person (or competent person depending on the complexity of the task) and the data must be
recorded/kept (30 years)
References
Work Health and Safety Act
National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances
Approved Code of Practice for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances National
Code of Practice for the Control of Scheduled Carcinogenic Substances NOHSC: 2014(1995)
National Model Regulations for the Control of Scheduled Carcinogenic Substances NOHSC:
1011(1995)
National Guidance Note for the Labelling of Workplace Substances (NOHSC: 3013(1991))
Guidance Note for Placarding Stores for Dangerous Goods and Specified Hazardous
Substances (NOHSC:3009(1990))
Guidance Note for Emergency Services Manifests (NOHSC:3010(1990))
Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail
Forms
Hazardous Substance and Dangerous Goods Register WHSFOR 007A
Hazard Management/Risk Assessment WHSFOR-030A
Authorised by:
Signature:
Date: 22 January 2021
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