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Procedure

Work Health and Safety

Hazardous Chemicals

Document number: PRO-00008 This document is the property of Seqwater. It must not be copied or reproduced in any way whatsoever without the authority of Seqwater. This document is uncontrolled when printed. An electronic database manages and stores the controlled version.

Rev no.

Description Process Owner Approved for issue

Position Name Signature Position Name Date Signature

7 APPROVED Manager, WHS

Joe Meissner

See TRIM Ref: D14/69879

General Manager, SPT

Janita Valentine

14/11/14 See TRIM Ref: D14/69879

Corporate Safety - Procedure WHS Hazardous Chemicals

Contents 1. Purpose ........................................................................................................................ 3

2. Scope ........................................................................................................................... 3

3. Roles and responsibilities .......................................................................................... 3

4. Procedure .................................................................................................................... 4

4.1 What are hazardous chemicals? ......................................................................... 4 4.2 Hazardous chemical management ...................................................................... 5 4.3 Identification of hazardous chemicals in the workplace ....................................... 5 4.4 Hazardous chemical registers ............................................................................. 6 4.5 Hazardous chemical risk assessments ................................................................ 6 4.6 Hazardous chemical risk controls ........................................................................ 9 4.7 Purchase, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals ................... 14 4.8 Health monitoring .............................................................................................. 19 4.9 Hazardous chemical manifests.......................................................................... 19 4.10 Emergency preparedness ................................................................................. 21

5. Training requirements .............................................................................................. 23

6. Monitoring and audit ................................................................................................. 23

7. Record keeping ......................................................................................................... 23

8. References ................................................................................................................. 24

8.1 Legislation and other requirements ................................................................... 24 8.2 Supporting procedures ...................................................................................... 25 8.3 Supporting documents, forms and templates .................................................... 25

9. Definitions ................................................................................................................. 25

Appendix A: Australian Standards .................................................................................... 30

Appendix B: Examples of chemical labels ....................................................................... 31

Appendix C: Placard load limits for transportation ......................................................... 32

Appendix D: Placard and manifest quantities .................................................................. 33

Appendix E: Examples of placards ................................................................................... 35

Doc no. PRO-00008 Version date: 14/11/2014 Trim ID: D14/69879 Doc owner: Peter McKinnon Doc approver: General Manager, SPT Rev no. 7 Page 2 of 35

The controlled version of this document is registered. All other versions are uncontrolled.


1. Purpose Seqwater is committed to the health and safety of all people at the workplace and the protection of the environment. The purpose of this procedure is to define systems and processes to effectively manage any risk exposure to staff, contractors and visitors engaged in the use, storage and handling of hazardous chemicals at Seqwater workplaces along with risks to the receiving environment.

This procedure supports the requirements described in Element 8 – Operational Control of Seqwater’s Work Health and Safety Management System Framework and Section 5.10 – Operational control of Seqwater’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

This procedure adopts and is consistent with the requirements outlined in:

• Managing Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2013 (Qld) • Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) • Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) • Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000 (Qld)

2. Scope This procedure applies to all Seqwater workers, business groups and work activities.

3. Roles and responsibilities Role Responsibilities

Managers • Ensure a Site Emergency Response Plan is developed, tested and reviewed for the manifest quantity exceeded workplaces in their areas.

• Establish and implement appropriate Site Emergency Response Plans for the areas they are responsible for.

Line Supervisors • Ensure risks associated with purchasing, using, mixing, handling and storage of hazardous chemicals are identified, assessed, controlled and evaluated.

• Ensure workers who purchase, handle or store hazardous chemicals are provided with appropriate training, instruction and supervision.

• Ensure hazardous chemical registers are maintained and reviewed using ChemAlert.

• Ensure requirements of Safety Data Sheets (SDS), labelling, placarding etc. are implemented and maintained.

Work Health and Safety (WHS) Team

• Provide support, advice and consultation in managing the risks of hazardous chemicals.

• Facilitate the completion of hazardous chemical risk assessments.

• Ensure the manifest quantity exceeded workplaces are identified and that Workplace Health and Safety




Role Responsibilities Queensland (WHSQ) is notified on the approved form and within the required timeframe.

• Provide support and advice in developing and testing Site Emergency Response Plans for the manifest quantity exceeded workplaces and ensure a copy of the plan is provided to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

• Facilitate risk assessments, health monitoring and air monitoring where required.

• Ensure provision of an appropriate chemical database.

Water Quality and Environment Team

• Provide support, advice and consultation in managing the risks of hazardous chemicals.

• Ensure compliance with Environmental Relevant Activity (ERA) approval requirements (where required).

Workers • Participate in the development of hazardous chemical risk assessments.

• Comply with the requirements of the SDS, hazardous chemical risk assessment associated with the chemical being used.

4. Procedure

4.1 What are hazardous chemicals?

Hazardous chemicals include substances, mixtures or articles used in the workplace that can be classified according to their chemical hazards.

A chemical hazard is a set of inherent properties of the substance, mixture or article that may cause adverse effects to organisms or the environment. There are two broad types of hazards associated with chemicals that may present an immediate or long-term injury or illness to people. These are:

• Health hazards – These are properties of a chemical that have the potential to cause adverse health effects. Exposure usually occurs through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. Adverse health effects can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Typical acute health effects include headaches, nausea or vomiting and skin corrosion, while chronic health effects include asthma, dermatitis, nerve damage or cancer.

• Physicochemical hazards – These are physical or chemical properties of the substance, mixture or article that pose risks to workers other than health risks, as they do not occur as a consequence of the biological interaction of the chemical with people. They arise through inappropriate handling or use and can often result in injury to people and/or damage to property as a result of the intrinsic physical hazard. Examples of physicochemical hazards include flammable, corrosive, explosive, chemically reactive and oxidising chemicals.

Many chemicals have both health and physicochemical hazards.




4.2 Hazardous chemical management

The following process must be implemented to manage hazardous chemicals at Seqwater workplaces:

• STEP 1 – Identification of hazardous chemicals used, handled, stored or generated at Seqwater workplaces

• STEP 2 – Assess the risks associated with the identified hazardous chemical (inherent risk)

• STEP 3 – Identify and implement risk control measures to eliminate or minimise the risks associated with the hazardous chemical (select using the hierarchy of controls)

• STEP 4 – Assess the effectiveness of the risk controls (residual risk) • STEP 5 – Monitor and review control measures

Any risk assessments of hazardous chemicals must be undertaken in accordance with the Hazard Identification and Risk Management Procedure (PRO-00657).

4.3 Identification of hazardous chemicals in the workplace

The first step in managing risks associated with hazardous chemicals involves assessing all substances, mixtures or articles that are used, handled, stored or generated at Seqwater workplaces to confirm if they contain hazardous chemicals.

The identity of hazardous chemicals in the workplace can usually be determined by reviewing the label and the SDS for the product and assessing if any of the ingredients are hazardous.

An assessment of processes that generate hazardous chemicals in the workplace (e.g. welding and the generation of welding fumes) must also be undertaken to assess the risks to the heath of workers exposed to the process.

The hazardous chemical identification process must be undertaken in consultation with workers in accordance with the Communication, Consultation and Issue Management Procedure (PRO-00870).

All hazardous chemicals (excluding consumer products) that are handled, stored, used or generated at a Seqwater workplace must be recorded in a hazardous chemical register.

4.3.1 Consumer products

A consumer product is a product that is packed or repacked primarily for use by a household consumer or for use in an office. In addition the product is packed in the way and quantity in which it is intended to be used by a household or office consumer.

In accordance with the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) an SDS does not need to be obtained for a consumer product if it is reasonably foreseeable that the chemical will be used at the workplace only:

• in quantities that are consistent with household use:




• in a way that is consistent with household use and incidental to the nature of work carried out by a worker.

If an SDS is not obtained for a consumer product, Seqwater must still ensure that sufficient information about the safe use, handling and storage of the hazardous chemical is readily accessible to a worker at the workplace, an emergency service worker, or anyone else who is likely to be exposed to the hazardous chemical. This requirement will be met by ensuring this information is contained in the labelling of the consumer product.

If an SDS is not required for a consumer product, the product also does not need to be included in a hazardous chemical register.

4.4 Hazardous chemical registers

A hazardous chemical register must be developed for each Seqwater workplace where hazardous chemicals are located. Hazardous chemical registers for Seqwater workplaces are stored within ChemAlert.

Hazardous chemical registers must include:

• a list of all hazardous chemicals handled, stored, used or generated at the workplace regardless of their sizes and quantities

• the unit and quantity of the hazardous chemical • the current SDS for each hazardous chemical listed.

ChemAlert generates a generic risk rating for each chemical listed in a hazardous chemical register. This generic risk rating is based on the properties of the chemical and its potential affects to health. The generic risk ratings are low (green), medium (orange) and high (red).

Hazardous chemical registers must be readily accessible to workers involved in handling, storing, using or generating hazardous chemicals and anyone who is likely to be affected by a hazardous chemical at the workplace.

Hazardous chemical registers must be updated:

• as new hazardous chemicals are introduced to the workplace • when there are changes to the quantities of chemicals held • when the use of a particular hazardous chemical is discontinued.

4.5 Hazardous chemical risk assessments

The assessment of health risks from hazardous chemicals involves gaining an understanding of the situations where people can be exposed to, or come into contact with the chemicals. This assessment must include the extent of exposure and how often this exposure can occur. Health risks depend on hazard severity and the level of exposure, therefore both the type of chemical and the nature of the work must be assessed together.

A hazardous chemical risk assessment must be completed for all hazardous chemicals that are handled, stored, used or generated at a Seqwater workplace that have a ChemAlert risk rating of Medium or High.




When undertaking a hazardous chemical risk assessment, the following must be considered:

• the hazardous properties of the hazardous chemical • any potential hazardous chemical or physical reaction between the hazardous

chemical and another substance or mixture, including a substance that may be generated by the reaction

• the nature of the work to be carried out with the hazardous chemical • any structure, plant or system of work:

- that is used in the use, handling, generation or storage of the hazardous chemical; or

- that could interact with the hazardous chemical at the workplace.

The hazardous chemical risk assessment must consider all workers potentially at risk, including those not directly involved in a work activity, as well as other people such as visitors to the workplace.

Hazardous chemical risk assessments must be undertaken in accordance with, and documented in, the Hazardous Chemical Risk Assessment Form (FRM-00611). Completed hazardous chemical risk assessments are to be saved in TRIM.

4.5.1 Hazardous chemical risk assessment considerations

When undertaking a hazardous chemical risk assessment, the following must be considered:

• The routes of entry by which the chemical can affect your health.

The type of hazard e.g. hazard classifications of carcinogenicity, sensitisation, and acute toxicity and relevant routes of exposure e.g. inhalation, ingestion, skin contact must be considered. This information is required to understand the level of risk from likely or potential exposure scenarios in your workplace.

• The physical form and concentration of the substance.

Some substances may be virtually harmless in some forms e.g. a block of metal, a piece of wood or granulated solid chemicals but may be very hazardous in another form e.g. fine dust particles or fume that can be readily inhaled or solutions that may be splashed and readily absorbed through skin. This is also an important consideration in assessing risks from physicochemical hazards.

The concentration of hazardous ingredients is also an important factor in the overall risk. Concentrates or pure substances may be extremely hazardous, while dilute solutions of the same chemical may not be hazardous at all.

• The chemical and physical properties of the substance.

Gases or liquids with low boiling points or high vapour pressures can give rise to high airborne concentrations in most circumstances, whereas high boiling point liquids such as oils are only likely to create a hazardous airborne concentration if they are heated or sprayed. Chemicals with a very low or high pH e.g. acids and caustics are corrosive to the skin and eyes.

• Determining who could be exposed, and when this could occur.




Workers can come in contact with a hazardous chemical and any waste, intermediate or product generated from the use of the substance if they:

- work with it directly - are in the vicinity of where it is used or likely to be generated - enter an enclosed space where it might be present - disturb deposits of the substance on surfaces (for example, during cleaning)

and make them airborne - come into contact with contaminated surfaces.

All workers and visitors at a workplace, including those who may not be directly involved in using, handling, storing or generating a hazardous chemical must be considered in the risk assessment.

• How often is exposure likely to occur and for how long?

The total dose (amount) of a hazardous chemical a worker is exposed to is likely to rise with an increase in the duration or frequency of exposure. Estimations of the duration and frequency of exposure can be based on observation, knowledge and experience of the work.

• What is the estimated exposure to a hazardous chemical?

The quantities of hazardous chemicals used, the frequency and duration of exposure, the effectiveness of the controls already in place and whether workers are working directly with the substance is all information that should be used to estimate the level of exposure.

• Complying with exposure standards.

Seqwater must ensure that no person at the workplace is exposed to a substance or mixture in an airborne concentration that exceeds the exposure standard for the substance or mixture. The official list of workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants is contained within the publication Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Contaminants. Air monitoring may be necessary to ensure that workers are not exposed to airborne concentrations above the chemical’s exposure standard. Results of air monitoring must be made accessible to any persons at the workplace who may be exposed to the substance or mixture.

4.5.2 Types of hazardous chemical risk assessments

The following types of hazardous chemical risk assessments are undertaken at Seqwater workplaces:

Basic risk assessment A basic risk assessment of a hazardous chemical or a group of chemicals involves:

• reviewing the labels and SDSs of the hazardous chemicals and assessing the risks involved in their storage, use, mixing and handling

• deciding whether the hazardous chemicals in the workplace are adequately controlled with existing control measures, as recommended in the SDS or other reliable sources (Refer Appendix A for list of applicable Australian Standards), or whether further control measures are needed.




A basic risk assessment may be used where the SDS and label report that a cleaning agent may have potential skin irritation effects and may liberate a toxic gas when in contact with certain other chemicals, while in itself it is non-volatile. The risk assessment indicates that workers who handle this chemical will require control measures, including the use of protective clothing and gloves and that the chemical must be kept away from incompatible materials. Without such a risk assessment, skin irritation or intoxication by toxic gas when handling the cleaning agent could occur.

Generic risk assessment A generic risk assessment of a hazardous chemical or a group of chemicals is undertaken at a particular workplace, area, job or activity and the risk assessment is then applied to other sites with similar work activities.

When conducting a generic risk assessment, it is important that the workplace, tasks and hazardous chemicals being assessed are identical in characteristics, properties, potential hazards and risks. Generic risk assessments are not appropriate for very high risk chemicals such as carcinogens.

Detailed risk assessment A detailed risk assessment may be required when there is a significant risk to health and for very high risk chemicals such as carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants or sensitisation agents in the case of health hazards. Information on the label and SDS will allow you to determine whether the chemical has these hazards. Schedule 10 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) provides further information on the hazardous chemicals that are restricted or prohibited for use. A more detailed assessment may also be required when there is uncertainty as to the risk of exposure or health.

In order to complete a detailed risk assessment, further information about the chemical must be obtained and decisions taken to:

• eliminate the uncertainty of any risks • select appropriate control measures • ensure that control measures are properly used and maintained • determine if air monitoring or health monitoring are required.

4.6 Hazardous chemical risk controls

Control measures must be identified and implemented to ensure exposure to hazardous chemicals is prevented. If the prevention of exposure is not practicable, the risk must be controlled to minimise any danger to workers.

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) requires the hierarchy of controls to be utilised to choose measures that most effectively eliminate or minimise the risk as low as reasonably practicable. In order to adequately control the risk, a combination of controls may be required.




Order of Preference Action

Elimination The most effective method of risk control is eliminating the hazard. Not using a hazardous chemical or eliminating exposure can achieve this.

Substitution Substitution is the replacement of a hazardous chemical with a chemical that is less hazardous and presents lower risks.

Isolation Isolation involves separating people from the chemicals or hazards by distance or barriers to prevent or minimise exposure.

Engineering controls Engineering controls are physical in nature, including a mechanical device or process that eliminates or minimises the generation of chemicals, suppresses or contains chemicals, or limits the area of contamination in the event of spills and leaks.

Administrative controls Administrative controls are systems of work or safe work practices that help to minimise worker’s exposure to hazardous chemicals and other potential hazards generated by their use.

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes overalls, aprons, footwear, gloves, chemical resistant glasses, face shields and respirators. Refer to the PPE Procedure (PRO-00881) for further information.

4.6.1 Specific hazardous chemical risk control measures

In accordance with the Managing Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2013 (Qld), the following specific risk control measures must be implemented to manage risks associated with hazardous chemicals:

• Fire and explosion risks

Key risk control measures for managing fire and explosion risks include:

- designing buildings and plant to relieve and redirect pressure and flame in the event that an explosion occurs

- installing systems to detect leaks of flammable gases or vapours - using intrinsically safe equipment - ventilating to avoid creation of hazardous atmosphere - substituting flammable materials for ones that are less flammable or

combustible - ensuring incompatible materials are separated or segregated - reducing quantities of flammable and combustible materials, including items

that contribute to the fire load but that are not hazardous chemicals themselves (example: wooden pallets)

- eliminating ignition sources from hazardous areas - ensuring equipment used in handling hazardous chemicals is maintained in

accordance with manufacturer’s instructions - good housekeeping to minimise accumulation of combustible dusts.




• Impact protection – containers, structures and plant

To prevent damage from the movement of the structure or plant including any attached pipe work or equipment, controls must be implemented to ensure that structures or plant used for the storage or handling of hazardous chemicals are appropriately located and fixed to stable foundations.

Measures required for preventing or controlling impact normally depends on the nature of risks. Impact protection measures may be necessary for:

- structures containing large quantities of hazardous chemicals - plant and equipment including storage and process vessels, associated pipe

work, pumps and controls - storage areas (including transit storage) for packages, Intermediate Bulk

Containers (IBCs) and associated shelves and racks - exposed parts of the fire protection systems.

The most effective ways to protect containers, pipe work, pumps and attachments from impact is to locate the containers away from trafficable areas or prevent vehicle access. Installation of crash protection measures, such as bollards and guardrails is an alternative means of impact protection. These should be designed to absorb the energy of any reasonably foreseeable impact and minimise the likelihood of injury to anyone involved in the incident.

• Containing spills

Leaving containers open when not in use is one of the main causes of spills and can also lead to generating hazardous atmospheres and fire risks. Procedures, training, supervision and inspections should ensure containers are sealed when not in use.

When a spill, leak or accidental release of hazardous chemicals occurs, appropriate actions must be taken to contain the hazardous chemicals within the workplace.

The spill containment system must describe how to contain, clean up and dispose of the spill or leak and any resulting effluent. The system must not create a hazard by bringing together different hazardous chemicals that are not compatible or that would react together to cause a fire, explosion, harmful reaction or evolution of flammable, toxic or corrosive vapour.

Any spill containment system should be large enough to ensure that all spills can be held safely until cleaned up. Factors that must be considered when designing a spill containment system include:

- the nature of the hazardous chemicals (whether liquid or solid) - the quantity of the hazardous chemicals - the size of the largest container or reasonably foreseeable largest spill - the potential impact if the hazardous chemicals escape to the environment

(neutralisation chemicals should be considered) - whether it is necessary to provide for the management of firewater at an

incident - a separate spill containment is provided for incompatible goods




- the materials used to construct the containment system, as well as any materials used for absorption, are compatible with the hazardous chemicals

- other materials in the vicinity that will prevent contamination of groundwater or soil

- the system’s integrity will be maintained in any reasonably foreseeable incident.

For large quantities of hazardous chemicals, bunding may be required. Bunding should be designed and constructed in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard specific to the type of hazardous chemical, for example AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, and in consultation with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

• Transfer of hazardous chemicals

During the transfer process, the chemicals will frequently be unconfined at some stage of the transfer process that may include pouring or pumping from one container to another. Common methods for eliminating or reducing risks during transfer operations include:

- avoiding spillage or overflow, including overflow protection on equipment and receiving vessels

- providing emergency shut-offs to limit the amount of hazardous chemicals released during a loss of containment

- providing a spill containment system - reducing static electricity and vapour generation. This is particularly

important for fire risk hazardous chemicals such as flammable liquids - ensuring transfer fittings are compatible - avoiding sources of ignition - installing flow and pressure regulators on pipe work or pumps - installing interlocking of valves and switches - implementing systems for detecting losses from pipe work and fittings, such

as static pressure loss detectors, measurement to determine losses in transfer or external sensors.

Plumbed eye wash stations and safety showers should be installed in areas where workers may be exposed in the event of a spill during transfer operations.

• Controlling risks from compressed gases

Key considerations for safe storage and handling of gas cylinders include:

- maintaining and regularly checking cylinders, regulators, hoses and pipes to cylinders to ensure that there are no leaks or dents

- storing cylinders in an upright position to ensure the safety device functions correctly

- securing cylinders to prevent dislodgement - transporting cylinders with appropriate equipment such as trolleys or gas

cages - keeping the cylinder valve closed when the cylinder is not being used - keeping all sources of heat and ignition away from gas cylinders, even if the

cylinders do not contain flammable material




- storing cylinders outdoors or in very well ventilated areas.

Gas cylinders should be fitted with a bursting disc safety device and liquid petroleum gas cylinders should have an operational spring-loaded pressure relief valve.

If a small leak occurs, the cylinder valve should be closed if it is safe to do so. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be put on before attempting to locate the leak point. For toxic gases, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) may be required for emergency use. The area should be well ventilated and air conditioning systems should be turned off to avoid spreading gas. However, if a large amount of gas escapes, the area should be evacuated. If it is safe to do so, before evacuating, ventilate the area and remove or isolate ignition sources. Contact the gas supplier for advice, or in an emergency, contact Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

Potential risks associated with the transport and storage of small gas cylinders (e.g. acetylene and LPG) in vehicles must be also managed appropriately.

Specific guidance on the safe storage and handling of gases in cylinders is available from various Australian standards related to gases in cylinders including:

- AS4332: The storage and handling of gases in cylinders - AS/NZS 1596: Storage and handling of LP gas - AS/NZS 2022: Anhydrous ammonia - Storage and handling - AS/NZS 2927: The storage and handling of liquefied chlorine gas.

• Asphyxiation hazards

Key considerations in minimising the risk of asphyxiation include:

- avoiding work being carried out in oxygen-depleted (under 19 per cent) atmospheres, for example this could be done by testing the workplace atmosphere using an approved and intrinsically-safe gas monitor

- keeping the work area well-ventilated, particularly in low-lying areas and roof spaces where gases can accumulate – this could be done by ensuring windows are open where necessary and ventilation and extraction systems are on and are fully functional

- purging - using an air-supplied respirator, particularly in confined spaces - checking cylinders, cylinder fittings, hoses and connections to ensure that

they are not damaged or in poor condition – this might include checking fittings and hoses for signs of corrosion or degradation or spraying them with a small amount of detergent solution or leak-detection spray and looking for bubble formations which may indicate the presence of a gas leak.

4.6.2 Maintaining hazardous chemical risk control measures

Maintenance of hazardous chemical risk control measures may involve the following:

• regular inspections of control measures • supervision to ensure workers are using the control measures properly




• preventative maintenance and testing programs for chemical storage and handling systems

• periodic air monitoring to ensure that engineering and administrative controls remain effective.

Maintenance procedures should include mechanisms for workers to report defective control measures as soon as they are identified so that prompt remedial action can be taken.

4.6.3 Reviewing hazardous chemical risk control measures

Hazardous chemical risk controls must be reviewed (and if necessary revised) in the following circumstances:

• When the control measure is not effective in controlling the risk i.e. an incident occurs.

• Before a change at the workplace that is likely to give rise to a new or different health, safety and/or environmental risk that the control measure may not effectively control.

• If a new hazard or risk is identified. • If the results of consultation indicate that a review is necessary. • If a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) requests a review. • If a SDS or register of hazardous chemicals is changed. • If a health monitoring report for a worker identifies adverse health effects. • If atmospheric monitoring indicates that the airborne concentration of a

hazardous chemical at the workplace exceeds the relevant exposure standard.

4.7 Purchase, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals

4.7.1 Purchasing hazardous chemicals

The Checklist for Purchasing Hazardous Chemicals / Dangerous Goods (FRM-00025) must be used to purchase hazardous chemicals.

A hazardous chemical risk assessment must be undertaken prior to purchasing a chemical that has not previously been risk assessed or used in the workplace. Where there are multiple chemicals available to undertake the work or activity, the least hazardous chemical should be purchased, provided other considerations (i.e. availability, cost, environmental impact, etc.) do not impact on the use of the chemical.

The purchase of hazardous chemicals must be undertaken in accordance with the Seqwater Procurement Procedure (PRO-01514).

4.7.2 Hazardous chemical storage and handling

Hazardous chemicals must be stored and handled in accordance with the requirements of the SDS and the hazardous chemical risk assessment. When identifying how to store and handle a hazardous chemical, the following must be considered:




• Hazardous chemicals that are not compatible with other substances, goods or liquids must be stored separately. Please refer to the WHSQ Segregation Tool for Dangerous Goods to confirm specific storage requirements www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-chemicals/managing-incompatible-goods/segregation-tool

• Flammable or combustible chemicals must only be purchased and stored at the lowest practicable quantity.

• Ignition sources must not be introduced into a hazardous chemical storage area if there is a possibility of fire or explosion.

• Correct signage and placarding is clearly displayed where hazardous chemicals are stored.

• Storage systems and storage containers used for hazardous chemicals must only be used for the storage of hazardous chemicals.

• Storage and handling systems must only be used for their intended purpose and must be operated, tested, maintained, installed, repaired and decommissioned with regard to the health and safety of workers and others.

• Hazardous chemicals must be stored and handled in a manner that ensures that the chemical does not become unstable, decompose or change to create new hazards or increase the risks associated with the chemical.

• Spill containment systems must be appropriate for the type and volume of chemical being stored or handled.

• Containers in which bulk quantities of hazardous chemicals are stored and any associated pipe work or attachments: - must have stable foundations and supports - must be secured to the foundations and supports to prevent any movement

between the container and the associated pipe work or attachments - must be free of damage.

4.7.3 Safety data sheets

Any Seqwater worker who purchases hazardous chemicals, must obtain the current safety data sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer, importer or supplier of the chemical either when or before it is first supplied, or as soon as practicable after supplied (but before use).

A current SDS must be kept as close as possible to where the substance is being used and/or stored i.e. in the vehicle that the chemical is transported, in the workshop next to the cabinet where the chemical is stored, attached to a dosing skid for a water treatment chemical. The SDS must be readily accessible to workers involved in using, handling or storing the hazardous chemical, emergency service workers or anyone else who is likely to be exposed to the hazardous chemical.

Workers are not permitted to amend or otherwise make changes to an SDS.

An SDS remains current for a maximum period of five years from the date of issue of the SDS, unless modified prior to this date by the manufacturer.

Printed SDS must be regularly inspected for currency by the WHS Team, line supervisors and workers who use the chemical.



http://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-chemicals/managing-incompatible-goods/segregation-tool

http://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/injury-prevention-safety/hazardous-chemicals/managing-incompatible-goods/segregation-tool


4.7.4 Safety equipment

Any Seqwater worker required to use a hazardous chemical must be provided with safety equipment as required by the relevant SDS and hazardous chemical risk assessment. Hazardous chemical safety equipment must be maintained in accordance with the Safe Work with Plant and Equipment Procedure (PRO-000867).

4.7.5 Safety signs

Hazardous chemical warning signs must be installed to ensure that workers are aware of the presence and location of hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Hazardous chemical signage must:

• warn of a particular hazard associated with the hazardous chemicals • state the responsibilities of a particular person in relation to the hazardous

chemicals • be located next to the hazard • be clearly visible to a person approaching the hazard.

All hazardous chemical signs must comply with AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment.

Hazardous chemical signs must be inspected and maintained to ensure that they are adequately warning workers of the presence of hazardous chemicals.

4.7.6 Labelling

Hazardous chemicals must be correctly labelled in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. Labelling must also comply with Schedule 9 Part 3 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).

When decanting hazardous chemicals into a smaller container, a label must be affixed to the container to identify the contents. ChemAlert labels are to be used and can be obtained from ChemAlert or by request from the WHS team. An example of a hazardous chemical label is included as Appendix B of this procedure.

Containers with a hazardous chemical label are to be used only for the use, handing or storage of the hazardous chemical detailed on the label. If an unlabelled container is found, the container must be stored away from other substances or goods and the local waste management branch of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) must be contacted to obtain appropriate disposal procedures.

4.7.7 Pipe Work used to transfer hazardous chemicals

All pipe work used for transferring hazardous chemicals must be appropriately designed and manufactured.

All pipe work used for transferring hazardous chemicals must be labelled in accordance with AS1345 Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts.




4.7.8 Transporting hazardous chemicals

Under no circumstance should Seqwater workers transport dangerous goods in a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500L or more than 500kg on Queensland Main Roads. The transportation of dangerous goods over these limits must only be performed by licensed drivers and in vehicles in accordance with Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Dangerous Goods) Regulation 2008 and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. Placard load limits for dangerous goods are defined in Appendix C of this procedure.

Where small quantities of hazardous chemicals (i.e. <50 litres) are transported at Seqwater workplaces, the worker who performs the tasks shall ensure that:

• the chemicals are in appropriate containers with correct labels • the chemical containers are secured to prevent rotating, crashing or falling off the

vehicle • extreme heat to the chemicals is mitigated • current SDSs are carried with the chemicals in the vehicle • appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), spill kits and first aid kits are

available.

4.7.9 Decanting hazardous chemicals

Where possible, chemicals should be kept in their original container with the original labelling from the manufacturer/supplier.

Where chemicals must be decanted, the method defined in the relevant SDS and hazardous chemical risk assessment must be followed. New containers must be appropriate for the chemical they will hold and must be correctly labelled.

Hazardous chemicals must not be decanted into food or drink containers.

Specific control measures must be identified and implemented when decanting chemicals in explosive atmospheres or chemicals that may produce explosive atmospheres (e.g. earthing equipment, non-synthetic protective garments).

4.7.10 Mixing, handling and using hazardous chemicals

When mixing, handling and using hazardous chemicals, the requirements defined in the SDS and identified through the hazardous chemical risk assessment must be implemented.

A copy of the SDS is to be kept as close as possible to the hazardous chemicals being mixed, handled and used to allow the worker to refer to it easily.

PPE must be used in accordance with the SDS and hazardous chemical risk assessment. Additional risk control measures such as mechanical ventilation, isolations or gas monitoring may be implemented and maintained as required.

All reasonably practicable methods must be implemented to ensure that hazardous chemicals do not contaminate the water supply, food, food packaging or personal use products.

4.7.11 Spraying of specific hazardous chemicals




At least one worker on a spray team must hold an Agricultural Chemical Distribution Control (ACDC) License before any of the spray team can commence spraying. All workers on a spray team must be trained in spraying operations. Health monitoring may be required in accordance with the Health Monitoring & Immunisations Procedure (PRO-00020).

4.7.12 Construction Work

If hazardous chemicals are used at a construction workplace, a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) must be prepared. Any contractor using hazardous chemicals at a Seqwater construction site must ensure that the risk associated with hazardous chemicals is considered in the contractor’s safety and environmental management plans relevant to the construction work.

4.7.13 Review and disposal of hazardous chemicals

An annual chemical survey/inspection must be conducted at all Seqwater workplaces to identify chemicals that are out of date or no longer used and can be disposed of. The annual survey / inspection of chemicals at Seqwater workplaces will be facilitated by the WHS Team.

The relevant SDS for each hazardous chemical identified for disposal must be reviewed to establish the appropriate method of disposal. In addition, the Seqwater Water Quality and Environment Team must be consulted to confirm if the disposal activity triggers any reporting requirements in relation to trackable waste management.

Where required, a competent service provider may be engaged to dispose of hazardous chemicals.

Where a hazardous chemical is removed from a site, the hazardous chemical register must be amended.

Containers of hazardous chemicals must not be washed out in areas where there is a possibility of waste solution entering a storm water drain, natural watercourse or contamination of the environment.

4.7.14 Decommissioning of hazardous chemical storage and handling systems

Hazardous chemical storage and dosing systems must be free of hazardous chemicals when the system is decommissioned. If it is not reasonably practicable to remove the hazardous chemicals from the system, it must be correctly labelled.

Where an underground handling or storage system is no longer required or is to be disposed of, so far as reasonably practicable, the system must be removed. If removal of the underground system is not reasonably practicable, the system must be made safe to ensure that it poses no risks to health, safety or the environment.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) must be notified of the abandonment of an underground storage system used to store flammable gases or flammable liquids as soon as practicable after the storage system is abandoned.




4.8 Health monitoring

Health monitoring of a person means monitoring the person to identify changes in the person’s health status because of exposure to certain substances. Health monitoring involves the collection of data in order to evaluate the effects of exposure and to confirm that the absorbed dose is within safe levels.

Health monitoring allows Seqwater to make decisions about ways to eliminate or minimise a worker’s risk of exposure, for example, by reassigning a worker to other duties that involve less exposure or improving control measures associated with the activities being undertaken.

Workers must be provided with information relating to the requirements for health monitoring where they are at risk of exposure to hazardous substances.

Health monitoring is not an alternative to implementing risk control measures. If health monitoring results indicate that a worker is experiencing adverse health effects or signs of exposure to a hazardous chemical, the risk control measure must be reviewed and if necessary revised.

The Seqwater Injury Management and Health Program Coordinator must arrange for health monitoring if a worker is regularly handling, storing or using hazardous chemicals, or there is a significant exposure risk determined by a risk assessment. For details refer to the Health Monitoring and Immunisations Procedure (PRO-00020).

4.9 Hazardous chemical manifests

4.9.1 Classification of hazardous chemicals

Under the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld), a hazardous chemical is any substance, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria for one or more Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) hazard classes, including a classification scheme in Schedule 6 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).

4.9.2 Manifest requirements

A hazardous chemical manifest is different from a hazardous chemical register. A hazardous chemical manifest is a written summary of specific types of hazardous chemicals that are used, handled or stored at a workplace, along with information regarding the physicochemical hazards and acute toxicity of the hazardous chemicals.

The primary purpose of a hazardous chemical manifest 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.

A hazardous chemical manifest must be developed where the quantities of hazardous chemicals stored at a Seqwater workplace exceed quantities identified in




Schedule 11 – Placard and manifest quantities of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld). Threshold quantities for hazardous chemicals stored at Seqwater workplaces are defined in Appendix D of this procedure.

Hazardous chemical manifests will be developed and maintained by the WHS Team.

The hazardous chemical manifest must comply with the requirements of Schedule 12 – Manifest requirements of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld). They must be reviewed and updated:

• as soon as practicable after any change to the amount or types of hazardous chemicals being used, stored, handled or generated at the workplace

• every two years.

The hazardous chemical manifest must be kept in a locked red weatherproof container as close as practicable to the main entrance of all Seqwater workplaces that store manifest quantities of hazardous chemicals. The location of the hazardous chemical manifest container must be agreed with QFES and the container must be adequately signed for easy location and identification.

A copy of all hazardous chemical manifests must be stored in TRIM.

4.9.3 Notifications to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ)

Placard and manifest quantities The WHS Team must notify WHSQ:

• immediately when a hazardous chemical or group of hazardous chemicals identified in Schedule 11 – Placard and manifest quantities of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) is first used, handled or stored at a Seqwater workplace

• when there will be a significant change in the risk of using, handling or storing the hazardous chemicals, or at least 14 days before that change (whichever is earlier)

• as soon as practicable after the hazardous chemical is no longer used, handled or stored at a Seqwater workplace, and it is not likely to be used, handled or stored there in the future.

Major hazard facility The WHS Team must notify WHSQ of any workplaces where chemicals identified in Schedule 15 – Hazardous chemicals at major hazard facilities (and their threshold quantities) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) are present or likely to be present in a quantity that exceeds 10% of their threshold quantity.

Should a site be determined as a Major Hazard Facility by WHSQ, Seqwater must comply with the requirements of Chapter 9 - Major hazard facility of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).

4.9.4 Placards

The WHS Team, in consultation with workers, are to identify all Placard Quantity Locations where the total quantity of a hazardous chemical or group of hazardous




chemicals identified in Schedule 11 – Placard and manifest quantities of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) used, handled or stored at the workplace exceeds the placard quantity. Information relating to the classification of a Placard Quantity Location is included in Appendix D of this procedure.

An outer warning placard and information placard must be prominently displayed and properly maintained where a placard quantity of hazardous chemicals is used, handled or stored. The placard must comply with Schedule 13 – Placard requirements of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld). An example of a placard is included in Appendix E of this procedure.

4.10 Emergency preparedness

4.10.1 Initial response actions

The following initial response actions should be implemented by the first person aware of an emergency situation associated with a hazardous chemical.

Small spills (contained within bund – no offsite impacts) 1. All personnel not directly involved with the spill are to be removed from the leak

or spill area. 2. The person using the substance or goods to inform the line supervisor of the

leak or spill. 3. The person is to refer to the relevant SDS and follow instructions relating to the

leaks or spills. 4. First Aid is to be administrated if a substance has injured or made any personnel

ill. 5. Spill kits are to be used to clean up spills, and these kits are to be placed at

convenient locations around the workplace. 6. The appropriate PPE is to be used. 7. The contaminated substance and material should be disposed of according to

the instructions given in the SDS. 8. Notify the Seqwater Incident Hotline (07) 3270 4040 of the incident. In addition,

as this is a notifiable incident the Manager, WHS must ensure WHSQ is notified in accordance with WHS Incident Notification Procedure (PRO-00388).

Large spills (uncontained spill – may involve offsite impacts) 1. All personnel not directly involved with the spill are to be removed from the leak

or spill area. 2. Close off the area to all personnel and the general public. 3. Contact the Evacuation Coordinator (chief warden or line supervisor)

immediately and inform them of the situation. 4. The supervisor is to read the appropriate SDS and follow the instructions relating

to the particular substance. 5. Control the spill where possible (whilst not putting any workers at harm). 6. Emergency services or relevant officials should be contacted. 7. Monitor the effected personnel and worksite after the incident has occurred to

ensure no further hazards are present.




8. Notify the Seqwater Incident Hotline (07) 3270 4040 of the incident. As this is a notifiable incident the Manager, WHS must ensure WHSQ is notified in accordance with WHS Incident Notification Procedure (PRO-00388). In addition, the Principal Environmental Management must determine whether there are any regulatory notifications required to the DEHP.

Gas leaks 1. Contact the Evacuation Coordinator (chief warden or line supervisor)

immediately and inform them of the situation. 2. Start emergency evacuation arrangements and refer to the Site Emergency

Response Plan for additional response actions. 3. Notify the Seqwater Incident Hotline (07) 3270 4040 of the incident. As this is a

notifiable incident the Manager, WHS must ensure WHSQ is notified in accordance with WHS Incident Notification Procedure (PRO-00388). In addition, the Principal Environmental Management must determine whether there are any regulatory notifications required to the DEHP.

4.10.2 Site Emergency Response Plans

A Site Emergency Response Plan must be developed for each manifest quantity exceeded workplace. The plan should be prepared in consultation with workers at the workplace, the Seqwater Incident and Security Management Team and QFES, where appropriate.

The Site Emergency Response Plan should contain comprehensive information on all aspects of emergency management actions, process and procedures.

Where any foreseeable incident may have effects beyond the boundary of the workplace, the Site Emergency Response Plan should also address managing the off-site effects. Where off-site effects are a possibility, the plan should contain information on necessary warnings or communications to neighbouring premises.

The Site Emergency Response Plan must be tested when first developed and again after any modifications are made. An exercise schedule with detailed exercise requirements should be developed, maintained and implemented.

Site Emergency Response Plans are to be readily available at workplaces in hard copy format. Copies of all Site Emergency Response Plans for manifest quantity exceeded workplaces are to be provided to QFES.

Refer to WHS Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedure (ERP-00079) for further information.

4.10.3 Fire protection and firefighting equipment

Seqwater workplaces where hazardous chemicals are used, handled, generated or stored must:

• have fire protection and firefighting equipment that is designed and built for the types of hazardous chemicals used, handled, generated or stored at the site

• ensure that the fire protection and firefighting equipment is readily accessible at the workplace




• ensure that the fire protection and firefighting equipment is compatible with firefighting equipment used by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES)

• ensure that firefighting equipment is properly installed, tested and maintained • ensure that dated records are kept for the results of fire protection and firefighting

equipment testing.

5. Training requirements Training will be provided in accordance with the WHS Training, Competency & Behaviour Management Procedure (PRO-01574).

All workers who may be potentially exposed to hazardous chemicals in the workplace must be provided with appropriate information, supervision, instruction and training.

The following information, awareness and training should be considered in the WHS Training Needs Analysis (TNA) of workers who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals:

• introduction of new substances or goods to the workplace • identification and assessment of risks associated with the hazardous chemicals

at the workplace • JSEA process and the control measures to be implemented • use of labels and SDSs • equipment and systems used with hazardous chemicals • PPE used whilst handling hazardous chemicals • emergency procedures or response plan • requirements for health monitoring • use of ChemAlert regarding how to search and access relevant chemical

information.

6. Monitoring and audit The application of this procedure shall be audited in accordance with the WHS Internal Audit Schedule and the Internal Audit Procedure (PRO-00002).

Audit findings and hazard trending analysis will be reviewed at the Regional WHS Improvement Committees (RWHSIC) and the WHS Steering Committee (WHSCC) and presented for Management Review to the Executive Leadership Team and the Seqwater Board in accordance with the WHS Reporting Procedure (PRO-01605).

7. Record keeping All records are to be retained, archived and disposed of in accordance with the Queensland State Archives General Retention and Disposal Schedule for Administrative Records. Additional guidance regarding mandatory record keeping requirements is provided in the WHS Record Keeping Matrix.




8. References

8.1 Legislation and other requirements

Description Status Location

AS/NZS 2022: Anhydrous ammonia - Storage and handling

Active www.saiglobal/online

Australian Dangerous Good Guide Active http://www.ntc.gov.au/viewpage.aspx?AreaId=35&DocumentId=1147

Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000 (Qld)

Active www.legislation.qld.gov.au

AS1345 Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts


Managing Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2013 (Qld)

Active www,deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/resources/pdfs/hazardous-chemicals-cop-2003.pdf

Queensland State Archives General Retention and Disposal Schedule for Administrative Records

Active www.archives.qld.gov.au/Recordkeeping/RetentionDisposal/Pages/GRDS.aspx

AS 1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment


AS/NZS 1596: Storage and handling of LP gas


AS4332: The storage and handling of gases in cylinders


AS/NZS 2927: The storage and handling of liquefied chlorine gas.


Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Dangerous Goods) Regulation 2008 (Qld)


Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld) Active www.legislation.qld.gov.au

Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)


Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Contaminants

Active http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/whs-information/hazardous-chemicals/exposure-standards/pages/airborne-contaminants




8.2 Supporting procedures


MAN-00211 Corporate Safety – WHS Management System Framework

Active TRIM Ref: D13/43216

PRO-00020 Health Monitoring and Immunisations Procedure


PRO-01514 Procurement Procedure Active QPulse

ERP-00079 WHS Emergency Preparedness and Response Procedure


PRO-00657 WHS Hazard Identification and Risk Management Procedure


PRO-00388 WHS Incident Notification Active TRIM Ref: D13/62376

PRO-00002 WHS Internal Audit Procedure

Active QPulse

PRO-00881 WHS Personal Protective Equipment Procedure


PRO-01574 WHS Training, Competency and Behaviour Management Procedure


PRO-01605 WHS Reporting Procedure Active TRIM Ref: D13/70792

8.3 Supporting documents, forms and templates


Checklist for Purchasing Hazardous Chemicals / Dangerous Goods (FRM-00025)


Hazardous Chemicals Risk Assessment Form (FRM-00611)


Job Safety and Environment Analysis Template (TEM-00013)


Safe Work Method Statement Template (TEM-00014)


WHS Record Keeping Matrix Active TRIM Ref: D13/70968

9. Definitions Term Definitions

ADG Code Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

Competent person A person who has, through a combination of training, education and experience, acquired knowledge and skills enabling that person to perform a specified task correctly.

Consumer product A product that is packed or repacked primarily for use by a




Term Definitions household consumer or for use in an office. If the product is packed or repacked primarily for use by a household or office consumer it is packed in the way and quantity in which it is intended to be used by a household or office consumer.

Dangerous goods Substances, mixtures or articles that, because of their physical, chemical (physicochemical) or acute toxicity properties, present an immediate hazard to people, property or the environment.

Dangerous incident An incident in relation to a workplace that exposes a worker or any other person to a serious risk to a person's health or safety emanating from an immediate or imminent exposure to: • an uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of a substance • an uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire • an uncontrolled escape of gas or steam • an uncontrolled escape of a pressurised substance • electric shock • the fall or release from a height of any plant, substance or

thing • the collapse, overturning, failure or malfunction of, or

damage to, any plant that is required to be authorised for use in accordance with the regulations

• the collapse or partial collapse of a structure • the collapse or failure of an excavation or of any shoring

supporting an excavation • the inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an

underground excavation or tunnel • the interruption of the main system of ventilation in an

underground excavation or tunnel • any other event prescribed under a regulation, but does

not include an incident of a prescribed kind.

Emergency Response Plan

The written document of the emergency arrangements for a workplace or identified activity. It consists of the preparedness, prevention and response activities and includes the agreed emergency roles, responsibilities, strategies, systems and arrangements. Where possible, it will also include fire and evacuation plans for any buildings occupied by Seqwater and covered by an Emergency Response Plan.

Exposure The contact between a person and a chemical. The chemical may be in the form of a gas, vapour, fume, liquid or solid.

Exposure standard An acceptable exposure level of an airborne concentration for a particular substance in a workers’ breathing zone, which should not cause adverse health effects. Details of exposure standards are available in the Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Contaminants.

First person aware The first person aware is the person that witnesses an incident, or the first person on the scene after an incident occurs. This may be a Seqwater employee, or any other person.




Term Definitions

Hazard A situation that has the potential to harm a person and/or the environment and/or damage property.

Hazardous chemicals Means a substance, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria for a hazard class in the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) (including a classification mentioned in schedule 6 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)), but does not include a substance, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria solely for one of the following hazard classes: (a) Acute toxicity – oral – category 5 (b) Acute toxicity – dermal – category 5 (c) Acute toxicity – inhalation – category 5 (d) Skin corrosion/irritation – category 3 (e) Serious eye damage/eye irritation – category 2B (f) Aspiration hazard – category 2 (g) Flammable gas – category 2 (h) Acute hazard to the aquatic environment – category 1, 2 or 3 (i) Chronic hazard to the aquatic environment – category 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Health monitoring Health monitoring systematically detects and assesses any adverse effects of work on the health status of workers as it relates to their duties. It is delivered through real time monitoring of exposure levels, medical assessment and biological monitoring of workers (e.g. blood/urine tests for checking chemical exposure).

Job Safety and Environment Analysis (JSEA)

A step-by-step method of identifying hazards, evaluating the risk, implementing control measures and providing a safe system of work.

Major Hazard Facility A workplace: • at which chemicals identified in schedule 15 of the Work

Health and Safety Regulation 2011(Qld) are present or likely to be present in a quantity that exceeds their threshold quantity

• that is determined by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland under part 9.2 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011(Qld) to be a major hazard facility.

Manifest quantity exceeded workplace

Any workplace where the quantity of hazardous chemicals used, handled or stored exceeds the manifest quantity for that hazardous chemical.

Notifiable incident An incident which involves: • the death of a person; or • a serious injury or illness of a person; or • a dangerous incident.

Placard A sign or notice: • displayed or intended for display in a prominent place, or

next to a container or storage area for hazardous chemicals




Term Definitions at a workplace

• that contains information about the hazardous chemical stored in the container or storage area.

Risk Risk is the likelihood and consequence of injury or harm occurring when exposed to a hazard.

Risk control Means taking action to eliminate health and safety risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and if that is not possible, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably practicable. Eliminating a hazard will also eliminate any risks associated with that hazard.

Reasonably practicable The following criteria must be applied in determining what is reasonably practicable: • What the person knows or ought to reasonably know about

the hazard and ways of eliminating or minimising the hazard.

• Availability and suitability of ways of eliminating or minimising the hazard.

• The cost associated with the availability and suitability of ways of eliminating or minimising the hazard, taking into account the cost if it is grossly disproportionate to the risk.

Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS)

A SWMS sets out steps to enable supervisors, workers and any other persons at the workplace to understand the requirements that have been established to carry out the high-risk construction work in a safe and healthy manner. It sets out the work activities in a logical sequence and identifies hazards and describes control measures.

Safety data sheet (SDS) A document that describes the identity, chemical and physical properties, health and environmental hazard information, uses, precautions for use, safe handling procedures and safe disposal procedures of a hazardous chemical.

Physiochemical hazards Hazards that result from the physical or chemical properties of the substance, mixture or article, like flammable, corrosive, oxidizing or explosive substances.

Worker Worker means a person who carries out work in any capacity for Seqwater, including work as: • an employee • a contractor or subcontractor • an employee of a contractor or subcontractor • an employee of a labour hire company who has been

assigned to work at Seqwater • an outworker • an apprentice or trainee • a student gaining work experience • a volunteer • a worker of a prescribed class.

Workplace A place where work is carried out by Seqwater and includes




Term Definitions any place where a worker goes, or is likely to be, while at work. This includes a vehicle, vessel or other mobile structure.




Appendix A: Australian Standards The following Australian Standards may be accessed to assist with hazardous substances and dangerous goods management.

No. Title AS 1345 Identification of the contents of pipes, conduits and ducts

AS 1596 The storage and handling of LP Gas

AS 1940 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquid

AS 1894 The storage and handling of non-flammable cryogenic and refrigerated liquids

AS 2022 Anhydrous ammonia – storage and handling

AS 2057 The storage and handling of pesticides

AS 2430.3.1 Classification of hazardous areas - general liquids

AS 2430.3. Classification of hazardous areas - flammable liquids

AS 2430.3.4 Classification of hazardous areas - flammable gases

AS 2507 The storage and handling of agricultural and veterinary chemicals

AS 2714 The storage and handling of hazardous chemical materials - class 5.2 substances (organic peroxides)

AS 2927 The storage and handling of liquefied chlorine gas

AS 3780 The storage and handling of corrosive substances

AS 4326 The storage and handling of oxidizing agents

AS 4332 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders

AS/NZS 3883 The storage and handling of mixed classes of dangerous goods on packages and intermediate bulk containers

AS/NZS 4452 The storage and handling of toxic substances

AS/NZS 4681 The storage and handling of class 9 (miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles)




Appendix B: Examples of chemical labels Label printable from ChemAlert

Label for small containers




Appendix C: Placard load limits for transportation Chemical Load Limit

FLUORIDE (Class 6.1) <1000kg (in receptacles holding <500kg)

CHLORINE (GAS) (Class 2.3) <250kg (3X70kg cylinders)

AMMONIA ANHYDROUS (GAS) (Class 2.3) <250kg

AMMONIA AQUEOUS (25%) (Class 8) <1000L (in receptacles holding <500L)

SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (10%) (Class 8) <1000L (in receptacles holding <500L)

SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION (33-50%) (Class 8)

<1000L (in receptacles holding <500L)

SODIUM HYDROXIDE SOLID (Class 8) <1000kg (in receptacles holding <500kg)

OZONE (Class 2.2) N/A (not transported by Seqwater)

HYDROCHLORIC ACID (33%) (Class 8) <1000L (in receptacles holding <500L)

HYDRATED LIME N/A (non-dangerous good)

ULTRION 8588 (Class 8) <1000L (in receptacles holding <500L)

POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE (Class 5.1)

<1000kg (in receptacles holding <500kg)

ACTIVATED CARBON (Class 4.2) <1000kg (in receptacles holding <500kg)

ALUMINIUM SULFATE (50%) N/A (non-dangerous good)

SODA ASH N/A (non-dangerous good)

NB: Queensland Transport requires a DG license when carrying over 500kg/L of DG in one receptacle.

EXEMPTION: No DG license required for IBC’s up to 3000L, not filled or emptied on vehicle, however this would be a placard load.




Appendix D: Placard and manifest quantities

Item No. Chemical Name DG

Class GHS Classification

Packing Group

Manifest Quantity

Placard Quantity

1 Sodium Hydroxide Solution (33-50%; Caustic soda)

8 Skin corrosion/irritation, Category 1A

II 500 kg or L 50 kg or L

2 Hydrochloric Acid (33%) 8

Skin corrosion/irritation, Category 1A


3 Ammonia Aqueous (25%) 8

Skin corrosion/irritation, Category 1B Acute toxicity (inhalation), Category 3

III 2500 kg or L 250 kg or L

4 Ammonia Anhydrous (gas)

2.3 Sub R 8

Gases under pressure with skin corrosion/irritation, Category 1B

None 500L 50L

5 Sodium Hypochlorite (10%) 8

Skin corrosion/irritation, Category 1B

III 2500 kg or L 250 kg or L

6 Sodium Fluorosilicate 6.1 Acute toxicity (inhalation), Category 3

III 10 000 kg or L 1000 kg or L

7 Sodium Fluoride 6.1 Acute toxicity (inhalation), Category 3

III 10 000 kg or L 1000 kg or L

8 Potassium Permanganate 5.1

Oxidising solids, Category 2 Acute toxicity (oral), Category 4


9 Chlorine 2.3

Gases under pressure with acute toxicity (inhalation), Category 3 skin corrosion/irritation, Category 2

None 500L 50L

10 Petroleum Fuel 3 Flammable Liquids Category 2 II 2500 kg or L 250 kg or L

11 Diesel fuel 3 Flammable Liquids Category 3 III 10 000 kg or

L 1000 kg or L

12 Ozone 2.2 Sub R 5.1

Oxidising Gas , Category 1 None 500 kg or L 50 kg or L




Item No. Chemical Name DG

Class GHS Classification

Packing Group

Manifest Quantity

Placard Quantity

13 Carbon Dioxide 2.2 Gases under pressure None 10 000 kg or

L 1000 kg or L

14 Oxygen (refrigerated liquid)

2.2 Sub R 5.1

Oxidising liquid Category 1 None 10 000 kg or

L 1000 kg or L

15 Acetylene 2.1 Flammable gases Category 1 None 5000 L 200 L




Appendix E: Examples of placards Outer Warning Placard To be displayed at each entrance to the workplace where emergency services may enter the workplace. The dimension and form of the Outer Warning Placard must comply with the Schedule 13 of Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).

Information Placard To be displayed on or next to each container or storage area in which the hazardous chemicals are stored. The dimension and form of the Placard must comply with the Schedule 13 of Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld).

200mm

600mm

100mm Lettering

