Ambition in Action

Ambition in Action Hot Topics Conversation Chemical Safety 25 May 2011

Ambition in Action Chemical Safety Program 1. Chemical Safety Responsibilities8. Monitoring 2. Performance Standards9. Prohibited Substances 3. Chemical Registers and Manifests10. Carcinogenic Substances 4. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)11. Banned Chemicals in DEC Schools 5. Labelling12. Purchasing 6. Placarding13. Chemical Waste Disposal 7. Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment14. Record Keeping

Ambition in Action 1. Chemical Safety Responsibilities /General responsibilities as per OH&S Responsibilities - Policy documentOH&S Responsibilities - Policy /Directors, Managers, Head Teachers & Supervisors responsible for compliance & meeting minimum performance standards /Head Teachers/Supervisors responsible for Chemical Safety induction & ongoing training

Ambition in Action 2. Performance Standards ElementMinimum Performance Standard MSDSs Review annually to ensure not older than 5 years; accessible to staff Chemical stocktake; chemical register Register to be update annually from stocktake; list of registers on SydNet Prohibited substances Hazardous substances not used for the purpose noted in the OHS Regulation 2001, Clause 164 Use of carcinogenic substances Used in accordance with WorkCover publication & notification form completed (cc: OH&S Services) Health surveillance Annually for each staff member exposed Training All staff (100%) who handle or store chemicals Risk Assessments Reviewed annually; detailed risk assessments placed on TRIM files

Ambition in Action What is a... /Hazardous Substance? /A material (or a mixture of materials) which have the potential to cause harm to the health or safety of individuals in the workplace. /Dangerous Good? /A material (or a mixture of materials) that pose an immediate threat to life, health, safety, property or the environment.

Ambition in Action 3. Chemical Registers and Manifests /A register of all hazardous substances, dangerous goods and poisons used in the workplace /Recorded using the spreadsheet Chemical Register FormChemical Register Form /Refer to the Chemical Stocktake procedure to conduct a stocktake of chemicalsChemical Stocktake

Ambition in Action 4. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) /Source of information on chemicals /Manufacturers and suppliers of hazardous substances are required to provide MSDSs /MSDSs must not be more than 5 years old & in the internationally standardised 16 Header format. /Chemwatch - online database of MSDSsChemwatch

Ambition in Action 4. MSDSs (cont.) - Header contents /Section 1: Chemical Product and Company Identification /Section 2: Hazards Identification /Section 3: Composition/Information on Ingredients /Section 4: First Aid Measures /Section 5: Fire Fighting Measures /Section 6: Accidental Release Measures /Section 7: Handling and Storage /Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection /Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties /Section 10: Chemical Stability and Reactivity Information /Section 11: Toxicological Information /Section 12: Ecological Information /Section 13: Disposal Considerations /Section 14: Transportation Information /Section 15: Regulatory Information /Section 16: Other Information

Ambition in Action 5. Labelling /Labels give basic information that; /Alerts you to the dangers and precautions, and /Gives details about the supplier so you can get further advice. /Always check the label on all the chemicals & hazardous substances you use.

Ambition in Action 5. Labelling (cont.) /What should you do if you find a container which does not have a label? /Do not open it, and /Immediately advise your supervisor.

Ambition in Action 6. Placarding /Information on the storage of hazardous substances/ dangerous goods can be found on the MSDS or label /All staff should know appropriate storage procedures and where appropriate storage areas are located /Stores and containers holding hazardous substances/ dangerous goods should be clearly marked with appropriate signs/placards and labels /Generally different DG classes should be stored in separate areas

Ambition in Action 6. Placarding (cont.) /There must be no smoking, eating or drinking in storage areas /To avoid spills and evaporation, lids should be kept on containers whenever possible /Never store hazardous substances in drink bottles or food containers - someone may think it is safe to drink!

Ambition in Action 7. Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment /What is a hazard? /Something which may cause harm /How do we measure the risk? /Likelihood /Consequence

Ambition in Action 7. Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment /Hierarchy of Hazard Controls /Elimination /Substitution /Isolation /Engineering /Administrative /Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) /The hazard control measures are used in combination with each other.

Ambition in Action 8. Monitoring /Atmospheric Monitoring /Can be used as part of the risk assessment process /Results compared to national Exposure Standards /Schedule of monitoring (by risk) developed by the Occupational Hygienist in consultation with Colleges /Health Surveillance /Annually for each staff member exposed (if there is a risk to the health to staff as a result of that exposure)

Ambition in Action 9. Prohibited Substances /There are a number of hazardous substances whose use is prohibited as per the OHS Regulation 2001, Clause 164

Ambition in Action Carcinogenic Substances /Prohibited carcinogenic substance /Use for the purpose of research or analysis /WorkCover notified of the intention to use /Notifiable carcinogenic substance /WorkCover notified of the intention to use /In both cases, substances to be used in accordance with WorkCover publication & cc: OH&S Services of notification

Ambition in Action Banned Chemicals in DEC Schools /Similar curriculum courses conducted in SI (e.g. TVET) must adhere to the banned chemicals list /Other courses may use these chemicals if an appropriate substitute is NOT practical, however a detailed risk assessment must be completed

Ambition in Action Purchasing /Consider the following: /Purchase only what is required (waste disposal can be considerable - it is not ‘free’) /Share bulk purchases with other departments /Liaise with other departments for ‘one off use’ chemicals /Employ a stock rotation system

Ambition in Action Chemical Waste Disposal /Refer to the Chemical Waste Disposal procedure for the requirements on the safe disposal of chemical waste, cleaning procedures and emergency proceduresChemical Waste Disposal

Ambition in Action Record Keeping /The OHS legislation requires that various records to be kept, including: /Risk Assessments /Training Records & Induction Training /Chemical Register and MSDSs /Air Monitoring and Health Surveillance /Records to be kept on TRIM files

Ambition in Action Training /Schedule of training - as per faculty

Ambition in Action Further information /Refer to References and Related Information within the Chemical Safety Program Chemical Safety Program /Associated Forms and Documents: /Chemical Stocktake procedureChemical Stocktake /Chemical Register FormChemical Register Form /MSDS Assessment ChecklistMSDS Assessment Checklist /OHS Risk Assessment and Control - Chemical ExposureOHS Risk Assessment and Control - Chemical Exposure / procedure /Chemical Waste Disposal procedureChemical Waste Disposal /Chemical Waste Disposal RegisterChemical Waste Disposal Register