Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

There are literally thousands of hazardous chemicals used in the workplace – paints, pesticides, cleaners and fuels, to name a few. They come in various forms including powders, solids, liquids and gases.

There have been many injuries in workplaces as a result of poor handling or storage of hazardous chemicals. Hazardous chemicals that you use at work can cause cancer, respiratory illnesses, skin and eye irritations, and fire and explosion-related injuries.

Therefore, it is critical we manage the health and safety risks associated with hazardous chemicals used in their workplace and we all have a duty to take reasonable care for our own health and safety and others at the workplace.

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

Under the WHS Regulations, a hazardous chemical is any substance, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria of one or more hazard classes in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

We use the GHS classifications in Australia to communicate chemicals’ properties and dangers through labels, registers and safety data sheets.

There are two broad types of hazards associated with hazardous chemicals which may present an immediate or long-term injury or illness to people. These are Health Hazards and Physical Hazards.

Safety Data Sheets

Under the GHS, a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which was previously called a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) now includes requirements and minimum standard for the formatting and content of Safety Data Sheets used for communicating a chemical’s hazard through Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

Safety Data Sheets must contain information on the properties of hazardous chemicals and how they affect health and safety and includes generally information on:

the identity of the chemical,
health and physicochemical hazards,
safe handling and storage procedures,
emergency procedures, and
disposal considerations.

The minimum standard for the formatting and content of Safety Data Sheets now includes a 16 Section format which includes certain types of information in each section. This standard format better ensures that all employers and employees understand the chemical, its hazards and the precautions users must take to remain safe.

Safety Data Sheets in your workplace must be reviewed periodically and kept up to date. This includes when any new or significant information becomes available on the hazards of the material, and they must be reviewed and re-issued every 5 years.

There are still come countries that do not use the same criteria for classification of hazardous chemicals. Some overseas Safety Data Sheets may not meet Australian requirements, and the importer of a chemical is responsible for ensuring the Safety Data Sheet for the imported chemical meets the Australian requirements.

It is a requirement that a Register of Hazardous Chemicals is prepared and kept up to date at the workplace. The Register of Hazardous Chemicals must be readily accessible to workers and to anyone else who is likely to be affected by a hazardous chemical at the workplace.

The Register of Hazardous Chemicals shall contain a list of the product names of all hazardous chemicals used, and accompanied by the current Safety Data Sheet for each hazardous chemical listed and must be updated as new hazardous chemicals are introduced to the workplace.

Manifest

A manifest is different from a register. A manifest is a written summary of specific types of hazardous chemicals with physical hazards, acute toxicity or skin corrosion that are used, handled or stored at a workplace. A manifest is only required where the quantities of those hazardous chemicals exceed prescribed threshold amounts contained within the WHS Regulations.

A Manifest contains more detailed information than a register of hazardous chemicals as its primary purpose is to provide the emergency services organisations with information on the quantity, classification and location of hazardous chemicals at the workplace. It also contains information such as site plans and emergency contact details.

Zenergy eLearning - Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

This online course introduces you to requirements and obligations regarding Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace which can pose considerable danger to workers and is essential for anyone exposed to Hazardous Chemicals as part of their employment.

The aim of this online course is to give you an understanding of the hazards and risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the workplace, key requirements of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), general safety precautions and requirements for Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Supplier and Workplace Labels, Safe Use, Storage, and Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals, Register of Hazardous Chemicals, Manifests, Personal Protective Equipment. This course outlines the requirements and obligations for emergency equipment and emergency procedures.

Click on the following link to review further course details: Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

Hazardous Chemicals In Your Workplace- Contact Us to Discuss Your Needs

If you would like additional information on how Zenergy can help deliver and managing the health and safety risks associated with hazardous chemicals used in their workplace, from Hazardous Chemicals Risk Assessment, preparation of a Register of Hazardous Chemicals and Manifests contact us today for further information and discussion.

As industry partners to organisations around Australia we have proven experience in delivering fit for purpose practical solutions and professional services across a multitude of industries and sectors for safety risks associated with hazardous chemicals meet your needs. Through a combination of our experience, academic achievements and business experience we add value to our client's business needs.

For further information please contact us on - info@zenergygroup.com.au or 1300 333 400

Workplace Health & Safety Training

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Contact Us

Zenergy News

Directors' duties for psych risks unpacked in new report

April 23, 2025

The WHS obligations of company directors include taking reasonable steps to understand the psychological hazards in their workplaces, and this is a "personal" prosecutable duty, a new guide for directors warns. Directors' obligations include establishing that their organisations and their management "are equipped with appropriate resources and processes to eliminate or minimise these risks to the extent that is reasonably practicable", the guide by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and law firm King & Wood Mallesons says. Most of any organisation's work to address psychosocial hazards will be "driven by management", given the complexity of the risks and the deep operational knowledge required to guide action, it says. "The board plays a supporting role in constructively challenging these efforts and maintaining oversight of how effective psychosocial risk management contributes to broader organisational culture and leadership." Under Australia's national model WHS laws – adopted by all jurisdictions other than Victoria, which has similar legislation – officers have a duty to exercise due diligence to confirm their organisation is meeting its WHS obligations. (See section 27 of NSW's version of the laws, for example.) This duty is a "personal duty, meaning [officers] can be prosecuted for failing to meet their due diligence obligations", the guide says. "Prosecution typically requires proof that the officer failed to take reasonable steps to comply with their duty, assessed in the context of the organisation's overall safety and health management system," it says. These due diligence obligations apply to paid directors, and are "recommended" for volunteer directors, who can be prosecuted in limited circumstances. "While non-executive directors have not been the focus of WHS regulators to date, this can change, and regulatory expectations are rising," the guide notes. According to the 12-page document , company boards and governance play a crucial role in ensuring psychosocial risks are managed effectively. Directors must oversee management's efforts at identifying and implementing control measures, set expectations and confirm that the necessary frameworks are in place. "This includes seeking information, reviewing board reports, assessing organisational culture, and challenging management where needed to strengthen risk controls," the guide says. Examples of how boards should address the workplace factors that create psychosocial risks include: Overseeing how managers monitor the risks associated with work design by drawing on complaints data, employee surveys, and absence and turnover rates, and engaging regularly with management to assess risks and evaluate measures; Confirming that management is complying with the positive duty to eliminate workplace sexual harassment, and obtaining regular reports on key behavioural risks involving code of conduct breaches and harassment cases; Setting expectations for management to provide workers with practical assistance and timely consultation in the event of organisational change and restructures, which can create significant stress; Engaging with management to review how it is addressing remote work risks, and ensuring there they have a clear policy to guide them in determining when remote arrangements are appropriate; and Overseeing how HR and performance management processes are managed, and confirming that investigation procedures are fair, workers have access to appropriate support, and outcomes are handled as consistently as possible. Governing WHS Psychosocial Risks: A primer for directors, by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and King & Wood Mallesons, April 2025 This article has been reproduced with permission from OHS Alert, and the original version appears at www.ohsalert.com.au.

Women in Safety: A Celebration of Connection and Collaboration

April 7, 2025

Zenergy recently hosted Women in Safety, a special networking event dedicated to fostering collaboration in the health, safety, and wellbeing sector. Held on March 20, 2025, at The Winery, Surry Hills, this event provided a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where professionals gathered to exchange insights, share experiences, and build meaningful connections. With attendees from diverse industries—including construction, logistics, corporate sectors, and more—the event highlighted the vital role of women in shaping safer workplaces across Australia.

4 Leading Podcasts for WHS and Sustainability Professionals

March 25, 2025

Podcasts have become a dominant force in the world of media, revolutionising how we consume information and entertainment and the WHS, Environment & Sustainability is no different! As the podcast industry continues to expand, listeners are discovering a wealth of benefits, from educational insights to fostering community connections. In this article, we share some of the leading podcasts and why they’ve become a growing part of modern WHS, Environment & Sustainability consumption. Here are some of the leading podcasts that every WHS, Environmental, and Sustainability professional should tune into:

Shaping the Future of WHS: Colin Hansen on Well-being, Engagement, and Safety Culture

March 24, 2025

Colin Hansen, WHS Director John Holland - M7M12 Project

Celebrating Excellence in Workplace Safety: 2025 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards

March 3, 2025

Zenergy invites you to be part of the prestigious 2025 Australian Workplace Health & Safety Awards (AWHSA) —a national platform dedicated to recognising outstanding achievements in workplace health and safety. These awards celebrate individuals and organisations that are making a real impact in fostering safer, healthier work environments.

Key Elements of the 2025 Sustainability Reporting Requirements

February 28, 2025

Australia has enacted mandatory sustainability reporting requirements, effective from 1 January 2025, through the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Act 2024. These regulations mandate that large entities disclose climate-related financial information as part of their annual reporting obligations.