CHEMICALS

(refer to disclaimer)

Information

For many workplaces there will be a variety of chemicals used in the form of:

• SOLID
• LIQUID
• GAS
• VAPOUR
• FUMES
• AEROSOLS
• DUST
• FIBRE

And when you go to find out what your legislative obligations are, you will find the word "chemicals" missing, instead you will see:

DANGEROUS GOOD OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

The difference is a technical one – they both have risks to employees.

What does classification mean?

Dangerous Goods (DG): Listed in Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG)
Effects: toxic, explode, burn, corrode

Hazardous Substances (HS): Listed by WorkSafe (LDHS). List of designated hazourdous substances
Effects: health, short term, long term

From this you can see that there are a lot of abbreviations you need to know. From a Workplace Safety aspect, the important factor is always adopt the approach.

NEVER USE DG or HS IN THE WORKPLACE, UNLESS:

1) You have a Material Safety Data Sheet (M.S.D.S.) available.

2) There is a label on the container from the Manufacturer identifying contents, eg. Dangerous Goods label

What are my Legislative Obligations?

The requirements will be found in a range of Acts and these are:

• General Occupational Health & Safety Legislation – will apply.
• Specific Legislation relating to Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Substances will also apply.

In general terms these dual obligations impose a specific set of actions that employees must follow.

What are Results of Exposure to DG/HS?

This will vary greatly depending upon category of DG/HS.

• trauma/fatal results from fireworks
• respiratory problems from exposure to
• chlorine fumes
• dermatitis from contact with acids
• nervous system damage from exposure to lead

These outcomes can be classed as follows:

• Short term – where the effect on persons is for a short period of time and recovery is made. Referred to as ACUTE, eg. unconsciousness from fumes.
• Long term – where the effect on persons is of long term duration and recovery is either limited or does not happen, eg. kidney failure due to solvents.

What are Accident Statistics?

Not well defined – due to problems with reporting and data classification.

As reporting improves, statistical trends indicate that exposure to chemicals is in the top 10 of accident causes.

What Action is Required?

You need to compile a list, in consultation with your employees, of all materials used in the workplace, solids, liquids, powder, gases, etc.

Include in that list how the items are stored, used and how they are moved in the workplace.

To break that list into priorities you need to decide which items are most dangerous.

To decide this answer you need to have:

M.S.D.S., ie. Material Safety Data Sheets on all items on your list. In addition to telling you the make up of the DG/HS the exposure standards will be given, (ie. air contamination and period of time breathing that air).

• Consult with employees to set out a plan of action to control exposure.
• Determine which areas in the workplace are the major concern, ie. high risk.
• Targets for reducing the level of risk to be set.

The approach to be adopted is based on "Hierarchy of Control".

This means looking at changing methods used to eliminate the DG/HS from the workplace.

The options available here range from:

• substituting a different DG/HS or using it in a different physical state.
• Separate out by isolation of a work area.
• Provide specific ventilation over process.
• Change procedures/rosters, etc. to reduce period of exposure by employees.

When all else is not reasonably practicable, then implement a Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.) approach where employees wear the appropriate P.P.E.

On a regular basis revise the things that you have done to ensure that the employees are making them work and where problems do arise, look at them and revise the approach.

Example

An employee was hired by an engineering works and allocated the task of cleaning off grease, etc. from metal components prior to spray painting using a hot bath.

He was severely injured when he tipped a pack of caustic soda into the boiling water.

Remember

There are many situations in the workplace where DG/HS can pose a risk to employees, not just items like caustic, sulphuric acid and other high risk chemicals. Heating Machining and mixing can produce hazards. You need to all your processes.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Case 1

Acknowledgement: Australian Safety News

What is wrong?

SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE?

Case 2

Your employer has told you to "chuck these in the bin".

What risk exposure and outcomes exist if you do as you are told?

SOLUTIONS

You can Email to us for assessment if interested?

NEED MORE INFORMATION

• about relevant Codes of Practice
• about relevant Australian Standards
• other examples of accidents
• other relevant information

Join up SEER -