Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidelines and information to effectively manage hazardous chemicals spills.
Scope
This procedure applies to all workers of our company and visitors including contractors, volunteers, work experience students, trainees and clients.
Procedure
In the event of a chemical spill, it is critical to isolate the chemical as quickly as possible. Refer to the Risk Assessment and SDS for specifics on how to best treat, collect and dispose of the chemicals.
Risk Assessment
- Prior to purchasing hazardous chemicals or dangerous goods, the supervisor is to conduct a risk assessment for each new hazardous chemical, using the approved Risk Process and suggested corrective actions implemented through a Rectification Action Plan (RAP);
- Use the specific Hazardous Chemicals & Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment Instructions and Form (refer to Risk Management, WHS Library);
- Always conduct a risk assessment before any controls are implemented and a risk assessment after the controls are implemented to ensure the risk has been reduced.
- Our company will assess the risk to the health of workers from any hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods that are used, or is to be used at a workplace;
The risk assessment must be done:
- As soon as practicable prior to use;
- Within 2 years of the last assessment; and
- Where any of the following happens at the workplace:
- a work practice involving a chemical is significantly changed;
- new information about the chemical’s hazards id available;
- health surveillance shows control measures need to be reviewed; and
- new control measures are implemented.
- The risk assessment must include a review of the SDS resulting in all the boxes being ticked on the Hazardous Chemical and Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment form;
As part of the risk assessment, the Supervisor is to:
- Assess the risk to health from a hazardous chemical that is used, or is to be used in the workplace using the ‘Hazardous Chemical & Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment Form’;
- Suggest control options and document this assessment on the ‘Hazardous Chemicals & Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment Form’;
- Consider the types of control measures required for handling, storage, use and disposal of the chemical or good;
- Re-assess all elements examined in the assessment, if an incident occurs at the workplace;
- Review the risk assessments conducted, within 2 years following the last assessment;
- Keep the risk assessment record for 2 years if the risk assessment shows a hazardous chemical or dangerous chemical use does not cause a significant degree of risk to health; and
- Keep the risk assessment record, monitoring result and health surveillance report for 30 years if the risk assessment shows a hazardous chemical or dangerous goods use causes a significant degree of risk to health.
Small Spills
- All personnel not directly involved with the spill are to be removed from the leak or spill area;
- The person using the chemical or goods to inform the Supervisor of the leak or spill;
- The person is to refer to the relevant SDS and follow instructions relating to the leaks or spills;
- First Aid is to administrated if chemical or good has injured or made ill any personnel;
- Spill kits are to be used to clean up spills and these kits are to be placed at convenient locations around the workplaces;
- The appropriate P.P.E. is to be used when cleaning up the spilt chemical/s or good; and
- The contaminated chemical and material should be disposed of according to the instructions given in the SDS.
Large Spills
- Contact the Chief Warden / Supervisor immediately and inform them of the situation;
- Close off the area to all personnel and the general public;
- Personnel using the chemical or good are to inform the Supervisor what chemical has leaked, spilt or become uncontrollable; and the location of the leak or spill;
- The Supervisor is to read the appropriate SDS and follow the instructions relating to the particular chemical or good;
- Control the spill where possible (whilst not putting any personnel at harm);
- Emergency Services or relevant officials should be contacted;
- Monitor the affected person and worksite after the incident has occurred to ensure no further hazards are presents; and
- Report incident on the Incident Report Form
Gas Leak
- The Chief Warden / Supervisor of the workplace is to be contacted immediately and informed of the situation; and
- Isolate the leak where possible
- Sound the alarm
- Start emergency evacuation arrangements;
- Contact Emergency Services
- Monitor the affected person and worksite after the incident has occurred to ensure no further hazards are presents; and
- Report incident on the Accident Incident Report Form
Note: Gasses that are heavier than air can settle in hollows or depressions in the ground and stay there for extended periods of time. Treat the entire site as a potential confined space until hazmat teams clear the site.
Definitions
Chemical identity means a name, in accordance with the nomenclature systems of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry or the Chemical Abstracts Service, or a technical name, that gives a chemical a unique identity.
Hazardous Chemical means a chemical, mixture or article that satisfies the criteria for a hazardous class in the GHS (including a classification mentioned in Schedule 6, WHS Regulation 2011).
Hazchem Code means a Hazchem Code under the ADG Code, also known as an Emergency Action Code.
Hazard Statement means a statement assigned in the GHS to a hazard class or hazard category describing the nature of the hazards of a hazardous chemical including, if appropriate, the degree of hazard.
AGD Code means the document known as the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
Container in relation to a hazardous chemical means anything in or by which a hazardous chemical is, or has been, wholly or partly covered, enclosed or packed, including anything necessary for the container to perform its function as a container.
Control measure in relation to a risk to health and safety means a measure to eliminate or minimise the risk.
Exposure Standard other than in Part 4.1, means an exposure standard in the Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Containments.
GHS means the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, Third revised edition, published by the United Nations as modified under Schedule 6 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.
Health monitoring, of a person, means monitoring the person to identify changes in the person’s health status because of exposure to particular chemicals.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a document that gives important information about a hazardous chemical. This information includes the chemical and physical properties of the chemical; health hazards; precautions for safe use and handling; and the manufacturer or importer’s contact details. Use includes handling, production, storage, movement, decanting and disposal of the chemical, but does not include the carriage of a chemical.
Supervisor a person involved with the management or control of a workplace (eg foreman, supervisor, person-in-charge or leading hand).
HSR’s – Work Health and Safety Representatives
SA – Safety Advisor