Chemical Management

9. Procuring new products and chemicals

The principal or their delegate, in consultation with the health and safety representative (HSR) and relevant school staff, must ensure that no new dangerous goods or hazardous substances are introduced into the school without first obtaining the manufacturer’s safety data sheet (SDS) and completing the OHS purchasing checklist template (DOCX).

It is important to communicate to school staff the correct process for procuring new products and chemicals. This will help to ensure that no new products are brought into the school without them first being assessed for risk and then placed on the chemical register if required.

Information from the SDS can be used to determine if the chemical can be safely introduced into the school. Schools can drastically reduce exposure to dangerous goods or hazardous substances by eliminating their use or substituting for safer products where possible.

Prohibited and restricted chemicals

School staff must not purchase, store or use any chemicals on the prohibited list found in Guidance sheet 3: Prohibited and restricted chemicals (DOCX).

School staff must follow the advice on restricted chemicals found in Guidance sheet 3: Prohibited and restricted chemicals.