Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

Specialist Service Group Work Health and Safety Division

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Chemical Hazard Management

Mahinda Seneviratne State Inspector - Hygiene & Toxicology Hazardous Chemical Services Team WorkCover NSW

Safety in Action 2014 3 September 2014

Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

Hygiene & Toxicology •  Multi-disciplinary cluster with skills in Occupational Health, Hygiene

and Toxicology

•  Provide technical assistance to Operations Inspectorate

•  Develop and lead high risk verification and targeted intervention programs

•  Expert technical advice for guidance material, national standards and codes and policy matters

•  Build capability for systematic management of hazardous chemicals

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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

Workplace exposure assessments

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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

Hazardous Chemicals Regulations •  1996: Hazardous Substances Regulatory Package

o Classification, Labelling, Preparing MSDS (NOHSC) o Exposure Standards for Airborne Contaminants » Mandatory documented risk assessments

•  2011: Model National Work Health and Safety legislation o COP Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the

workplace (Safe Work Australia) o GHS for classification and labelling » Risk Management – Identify (Assess) and Control

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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

Occupational Health burden •  Annual mortality from illness and disease related to workplace

chemical exposures estimated to be much higher than work-related fatalities.

(Kerr et al, 1998, Driscoll and Fritchi, 2012)

•  Cases of chemical-related illness, especially long-latency chronic disease are often not recognised as occupational health problems. –  Workers Compensation claims –  Hospital admission records –  Workplace Investigations

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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

A ubiquitous workplace chemical hazard •  Machinery or equipment used at your workplace can emit chemicals

that are hazardous to health. •  A mixture of fine particles and a number of toxic gases and

carcinogens. •  Airborne mixture can be breathed deep into the lungs. •  Short-term exposure can irritate eyes, nose, throat •  Longer exposures can worsen asthma and allergies

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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

Diesel Exhaust Emissions •  Workplace machinery or equipment emit hazardous chemicals •  A mixture of fine particles, toxic gases and carcinogens •  Can be breathed deep into the lungs

•  Short-term exposure –  irritate eyes, nose, throat

•  Longer exposures –  worsen asthma and allergies

•  High exposure long-term –  heart disease, lung cancer

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Safety, Return to Work and Support Division

How do we manage risks of exposure?

1)  Anticipate

2)  Recognise

3)  Assess

4)  Control

5)  Monitor & Review

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