Some Australian schools will need to update their management of hazardous chemicals following the 2017 roll-out of a new chemical classification system.

As of 1 January 2017, employers currently subject to the model Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations will be required to ensure staff understand the new chemical classification system. Schools that store, handle, generate, use or dispose of chemicals classified under the new Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) system will be required to provide staff with new training in relation to chemical and hazard identification and risk minimisation. Victoria, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory have not yet mandated use of the GHS, but do require chemical hazards to be communicated.

What is GHS?

The GHS is a comprehensive tool which harmonises chemical classification and hazard communication. It covers single substances, solutions and mixtures that may be in use in the workplace. While no changes have been made to the general duties employers have in relation to the management of hazardous chemicals, the new classification system has streamlined the way hazardous chemicals are conveyed and classified to end users.

What will change

The GHS will classify the intrinsic properties of chemicals using a hazard-based approach which will include the identification of:

• physical hazards;
• health hazards; and
• environmental hazards.

This will allow users to immediately identify the intrinsic hazards involved in handling a chemical and how they can manage the potential risk of exposure.

What does this affect?

The GHS provides criteria for the classification of physical hazards (e.g. flammable liquids); health hazards (e.g. carcinogens); and environmental hazards (e.g. aquatic toxicity).

This includes:

• workplace hazardous chemicals;
• consumer products but not chemicals which are used in workplaces in quantities and ways that are consistent with household use;
• agricultural and veterinary chemicals unless subject to partial exemptions;
• industrial chemicals; and
• transport of dangerous goods and therapeutic goods.

This does not include therapeutic goods intended for intake or administration to a patient or consumers, or intended for use for therapeutic purposes;

What do schools need to do?

After 1 January 2017 schools must only accept hazardous chemicals which have been classified and labelled in accordance with the GHS system.

Schools will be required to:

• ensure chemicals labelled under the GHS display the relevant pictograms, signal words, and hazard and precautionary statements – see this sample poster; and
• ensure all affected staff understand and comply with the new system.