Chemical Management

6. Risk assessment of dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals

6.1 Risk assessment of, and Safe Work Procedure for the storage and handling of dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals

The principal and/or their delegate are to ensure that a Safe Work Procedure is completed for the storage and handling of dangerous goods and/or hazardous chemicals with a high or extreme risk rating as identified in the Chemical Register. The Safe Work Procedure Template (DOCX) can be used for this purpose.

Note: Refer to the Instructions tab in the Chemical Register labelled ‘Risk Assessment and Additional Information’ for further instructions on the risk assessment of a ‘single’ chemical for the purpose of purchasing, storing or using it.

In order to complete the Safe Work Procedure Template, the SDS must be reviewed to determine whether or not the handling and storage requirements defined within the SDS can be met by the school and/or other persons such as employees, students, contractors, volunteers who may be exposed to, or use the chemical.

6.2 Risk assessment for the preparation of chemical mixtures

The principal and/or their delegate in consultation with the HSR and employees must ensure that a risk assessment using the Risk Assessment Template (DOCX), or equivalent is conducted by employees who, as part of their role, are required to prepare chemical mixtures (for example, school gardener preparing a dilution of herbicides for weed spraying) containing dangerous goods and/or hazardous chemicals or products which fall into these categories.

If the risk assessment identifies the process as a high or extreme risk, then a Safe Work Procedure (SWP) must be completed using the Safe Work Procedure Template.

6.3 Risk assessment for science experiments

The principal and/or their delegate must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted using the Risk Assessment Template or equivalent by the Science Coordinator and/or Science Teachers for any new or existing science experiments in the classroom.

Laboratory Technicians must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted for the preparation of chemicals that are to be used in science experiments in the classroom. If the risk assessment identifies the process as a high or extreme risk, then a safe work procedure must be completed using the Safe Work Procedure Template.