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Business & Industry LicensingWHAT IS A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE?
Hazardous Substances are those which may have an adverse effect on the health of people in both the short and long term. Hazardous Substances are classified and dealt with under occupational health and safety legislation.
Employers and employees using substances in the workplace will normally identify hazardous substances from the supplier's label and MSDS.
Hazardous substances:
- are listed on the List of Designated Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:10005(1999)]; or
- are classified as a hazardous substance by the manufacturer or importer in accordance with the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(1999)].
The List and the Approved Criteria are intended for use by manufacturers and importers.
Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods classification is different from hazardous substance classification, in particular, because it does not consider adverse effects from long term exposure.
In many cases substances may be both a hazardous substance and a dangerous good, although this can be for differing properties of the substance. A substance classified under both systems will require familiarity with duties and obligations under both sets of legislation. These are generally designed to be complimentary.
OHS Act
The ACT Occupational Health and Safety Act 1989 (the Act) requires employers to provide a healthy and safe working environment, safe plant and equipment, health and safety information along with training, adequate safety clothing and equipment.
The Act requires suppliers of hazardous substances to provide adequate information to employers of any health and safety risks associated with the use of the product, and indicate what control measures are needed to eliminate such risks to employees.
The Act requires employees to use all personal protective equipment in a correct and safe manner (as instructed by their employer) and to co-operate with their employer to fulfil their duties and not to endanger themselves or others.
Codes of Practice adopted under the Act and applicable in the ACT include:
- National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)]
and National Code of Practice for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:2007(1994)] (Commenced 24 April 1995) - National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances [NOHSC:2012(1994)] (Commenced 24 April 1995)
- National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets [NOHSC:2011(1994)] (Commenced 24 April 1995)
- Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] (with the exception of chrysotile @ 0.1 fibre/mL) (Commenced 5 November 1996)
{Refer to Guidance Note [NOHSC:3008(1995)] and National Exposure Standards [NOHSC:1003(1995)] for access to this code as well as additional information relevant to atmospheric contaminants}
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
The Act requires manufacturers of chemical substances to supply to you adequate information such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
MSDSs provide details on health hazards, precautions for use, safe handling and first aid information as well as chemical data. These sheets also provide information on storage and disposals procedures.
Specific MSDSs should be supplied for each chemical in use within the workplace and are available from chemical manufacturers/suppliers.
Labelling Requirements
All containers of hazardous substances used at work, including those delivered to and those produced within the workplace, must be appropriately labelled. A correct label of a hazardous substance used at work may not be defaced, modified or altered.
Wherever possible store chemicals in the original containers with labels intact. If labels come off always re-label the container. When chemicals are decanted into smaller containers they must be labelled appropriately. Never store chemicals in drink or food containers.
The Role and Use of PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protects a worker’s body from hazards and includes a wide range of clothing and safety equipment. PPE includes boots, face masks, hard hats, ear plugs, respirators, gloves, safety harnesses, high visibility clothing, etc.
When can PPE be used?
Personal protective equipment is the least effective way of controlling risks to health and safety and should only be used as a temporary measure until better control methods are put in place. Employers must first try to eliminate or remove hazards in the workplace. Where this is not possible or practicable, other control methods should be used, such as substitution, isolation, engineering or administrative controls.
If there is still exposure to risk after these control measures have been tried, then suitable PPE should be provided. PPE can also be used effectively in conjunction with other measures to adequately reduce the level of risk.
For further information on PPE refer to “Information Bulletin 03.11 - Personal Protective Equipment”.
