Hazardous Substances
If you are one of the many businesses that use, store or handle hazardous substances, then you need to know how to manage the risks associated with them.
Overview
Every year, approximately 600-900 people die prematurely from workplace-related diseases, which can result from exposure to hazardous substances. If your business uses, stores, or handles hazardous substances, it's important to understand how to manage the associated risks.
Key regulatory requirements for storing hazardous substances
The Regulations have specific requirements around providing information, instruction, supervision and training to make sure workers know how to safely use, handle and store hazardous substances in the workplace.
It is mandatory to keep an inventory of all hazardous substances used, handled, manufactured or stored in the workplace, including hazardous waste.
You must have a Safety Data Sheet for all hazardous substances in your workplace, regardless of the quantity you hold (some exceptions apply).
You should be managing your risks to avoid an emergency, but it’s equally important to plan for one. The Regulations set out specific requirements for this. This includes understanding procedures to deal with emergencies.
Ensure that hazardous substance containers in the workplace are labelled, including process vessels; as well as maintaining the labels on hazardous substances supplied to you.
Signs are an important part of hazardous substances management, as they warn other people in the workplace and emergency services that hazardous substances are on site.
Safely storing hazardous substances is crucial for protecting yourself and your workers. The safety data sheet provides storage guidelines and information on which substances and materials to avoid. The requirements for class 6 and 8 substances are available in WorkSafe’s Guide to Storing Class 6 & 8 Hazardous Substances.