Chemical Management

11. Emergency management

The principal or their delegate must:

• ensure that appropriate emergency management equipment and plans are in place as per the Emergency and Critical Incident Management Planning policy
• develop and maintain a chemical manifest if the dangerous goods on site exceed threshold quantities
• ensure emergency management information is included in relevant safe work procedures (SWPs)
• manage and respond to emergencies as per the Managing and Reporting School Incidents (Including Emergencies) policy.

The principal or their delegate in consultation with HSRs and relevant school staff, must ensure that appropriate emergency management equipment and plans are in place. Safety data sheets (SDS) will provide information on what equipment is required in the event of an emergency, exposure or spillage. It could include:

• spill kits/containment equipment such as bunding
• fire blankets/extinguishers
• first aid kits
• eye wash stations/eye wash kits/emergency showers
• emergency shutdown procedures for equipment
• appropriate numbers of trained emergency wardens and first aiders
• appropriately displayed emergency contact details
• personal protective equipment (PPE).

For locations where laboratory chemicals are stored, at least one fire extinguisher must be provided. Each extinguisher must be located so that it is immediately accessible in an emergency, along an exit route. The minimum rating is 3A 60 B (E) Dry Chemical.

Schools may also be required to develop and maintain a chemical manifest. A chemical manifest:

• is a summary document
• is only required when dangerous goods exceed their threshold quantities
• provides emergency services with crucial information like the type, quantity, and location of dangerous goods
• details site plans and emergency contacts.

Refer to Guidance sheet 1 for more information about manifest quantities.

Refer to Guidance sheet 4: Minor chemical spill management (DOCX) and Guidance sheet 5: Major chemical spill management (DOCX) for additional information. The principal or their delegate must ensure emergency management information is included in relevant SWPs.

The principal or their delegate must ensure all relevant emergency contact telephone numbers are displayed on the OHS noticeboard as required in the OHS Consultation and Communication policy, and other locations such as where chemicals are stored. The First aid summary sheet template (DOCX) allows schools to identify and display who their first aid officers and emergency wardens are, where first aid kits are located and the poisons information hotline number, 13 11 26.