Requirements for Specific Chemicals: Hazardous Substances
On this page:
- What is a Hazardous Substance?
- Storage and Handling: Quick Reference
- Compliance requirements for Hazardous Substances in the workplace
What is a Hazardous Substance?
A Hazardous Substance is a chemical that has the potential to cause harm to a person's health, and which meets the following criteria:
- it is listed on the Safe Work Australia Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS), and it has a concentration equalling or exceeding the cut-off level for health effects listed in the HSIS; or
- it meets the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances (NOHSC:1008[2004])
Exposure to Hazardous Substances usually occurs through inhalation and skin contact or absorption, and can cause immediate or long term health effects.
Storage and Handling: Quick Reference
Quick Reference information for handling and storing Hazardous Substances is available on the Chemical Storage and Handling: Quick Reference poster.
Detailed safety requirements for Hazardous Substances in the workplace should be determined by chemical risk assessment with reference to the Material Safety Data Sheet.
Compliance requirements for Hazardous Substances in the workplace
Hazardous Substances have the same general requirements for chemical management as all chemicals, in addition to the further requirements described below.
Register of Hazardous Substances
A Register of Hazardous Substances in the workplace must be kept.
You can fulfill this requirement by keeping a chemical inventory.
Labelling
The word HAZARDOUS should be displayed clearly and prominently on the label of all Hazardous Substances.
This is in addition to general labelling requirements set out in the Chemical Management Guidelines.
Health Surveillance
If any of a certain list of Hazardous Substances is in use in the workplace, health surveillance is required.
Costs of health surveillance are borne by the relevant Division or Faculty.
A list of Hazardous Substances requiring health surveillance is available in the Chemical Management Guidelines. However, for the most current list, consult Occupational Health.