Hazardous materials

Last checked: February 2025

Hazardous substances

A Hazardous Substance is a chemical that has the potential to cause harm to a person's health, and which meets the following criteria:

Exposure to Hazardous Substances usually occurs through inhalation and skin contact or absorption, and can cause immediate or long term health effects.

  • Quick reference information for handling and storing Hazardous Substances is available on the chemical storage and handling for minor quantities in laboratories poster.

    Detailed safety requirements for Hazardous Substances in the workplace should be determined by chemical risk assessment with reference to the Safety Data Sheet.

  • 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 labeling requirements set out in the Chemical management guidelines.

  • Quick reference information for handling and storing Hazardous Substances is available on the chemical storage and handling for minor quantities in laboratories poster.

    Detailed safety requirements for Hazardous Substances in the workplace should be determined by chemical risk assessment with reference to the Safety Data Sheet.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral that is made up of fibers resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. However, there are exposure risks when handling the mineral as it contributes to cancers and a variety of health issues.

Health & Safety: Asbestos requirements

Safety Bulletin

Safety Bulletin - Labelling Asbestos Containing Materials

Training

Asbestos awareness training provides information and instruction to local health and safety staff and those whose work may involve disturbing asbestos. Information on asbestos awareness is available on the Training page under TrainME courses.

Disposal

Staff should seek advice form the local Health and Safety Business Partner for
the disposal of equipment containing asbestos.

For asbestos containing material under the control of Campus Services, please log a request through the Staff Services Portal - Facilities (requires UoM username and password) or call the Service Centre on 834 40888

Crystalline silica

Crystalline silica (respirable dust) is a natural mineral found in many construction materials, such as stone, soil, sand and engineered stone.

    • Engineered stone: 80 - 95%
    • Ceramic tiles: 5 - 45%
    • Concrete: less than 30%
    • Brick: 5 – 15%
    • Marble: less than 5%

    There is some respirable dust that is included as crystalline silica in accordance with the Safe Work Australia:

    • Quartz (SiO2) (respirable fraction) – CAS: 14808-60-7
    • Cristobalite – CAS: 14464-46-1
    • Microcrystalline silica (Tripoli) – CAS: 1317-95-9
    • And possibly Tridymite – CAS: 15468-32-3

  • When unsure if a product contains crystalline silica, check the safety data sheet (SDS) or other information from the supplier.

    Refer to Safety bulletin: Crystalline Silica for more information.