Latest Guide | Transform how you manage policies with our interactive guide
Subscribe

Hazardous Chemical Classification System: Is your School Up-To-Date?

20/07/16
Resources

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.
Share this
About the Author

Ideagen CompliSpace

Resources you may like

Article
Safe excursions: Balancing learning, duty of care and risk management

Excursions are a powerful extension of the classroom, offering students opportunities to deepen...

Read More
Article
Legislative and regulatory changes to be ahead of in 2025

Extending the system of national unique student identifiers to the schools sector (Cth) The Better...

Read More
Article
Building resilience in schools: How business continuity management protects learning and operations

Schools are more than just places where children learn and grow. They are dynamic ecosystems with...

Read More

Want School Governance delivered to your inbox weekly?

Sign up today!
Subscribe