Hazardous chemicals are widely used across Australian workplaces—from cleaning products and fuels to solvents, paints and industrial chemicals. While these substances are often essential for business operations, they can also create significant risks for workers if not properly managed.
Across Australia, employers have legal obligations under work health and safety legislation to manage risks associated with hazardous chemicals. These requirements apply to businesses that manufacture, import, supply, use, handle or store hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
This article outlines the key employer responsibilities for hazardous chemicals in Australia and the practical steps businesses should take to comply with WHS laws.
What Are Hazardous Chemicals?
A hazardous chemical is any substance, mixture or article that can pose a health or safety risk to people in the workplace due to its chemical properties. Examples include:
- Solvents and paints
- Fuels and flammable liquids
- Cleaning chemicals
- Corrosive substances
- Toxic gases
- Chemical fumes generated during work processes
Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause immediate health effects such as burns, poisoning or respiratory irritation, as well as long-term conditions including lung disease, nerve damage or cancer.
Key Employer Duties for Hazardous Chemicals
1. Identify Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
Employers must identify all hazardous chemicals used, stored or generated in their workplace.
This includes:
- Chemicals brought onto site
- Chemicals produced during work processes (such as fumes or dust)
- Chemicals contained in products or mixtures
Understanding the chemical hazards present in your workplace is the first step in managing the risks.
2. Conduct Risk Assessments
Businesses must assess the risks associated with hazardous chemicals to determine how workers may be exposed.
Risk assessments should consider:
- The hazardous properties of the chemical
- How the chemical is used or handled
- The potential for chemical reactions
- Workplace processes, plant and equipment involved
- The likelihood and severity of exposure
Employers must then implement appropriate risk control measures to eliminate or minimise those risks.
3. Maintain a Hazardous Chemical Register
Most workplaces using hazardous chemicals must maintain a Hazardous Chemical Register.
This register must include:
- A list of all hazardous chemicals used or stored
- The current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each chemical
The register must be accessible to workers and emergency services if required.
4. Ensure Chemicals Are Correctly Labelled
Hazardous chemicals must be classified and labelled in accordance with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS).
Labels must clearly display:
- Hazard pictograms
- Signal words (e.g., Danger or Warning)
- Hazard statements
- Precautionary statements
Correct labelling helps workers quickly identify hazards and take appropriate precautions.
Since 2023, Australian workplaces must use GHS Revision 7 for classification and labelling.
5. Provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides detailed information about a hazardous chemical, including:
- Health hazards
- Safe handling and storage
- Emergency procedures
- First aid measures
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
SDS documents must:
- Be written in English
- Be reviewed at least every five years
- Include manufacturer or importer contact details
Employers must obtain these from suppliers and workers must be able to access SDS information easily in the workplace.
6. Implement Safe Storage and Handling Procedures
Hazardous chemicals must be stored and handled safely to prevent incidents such as spills, fires or chemical reactions.
Employers should ensure:
- Incompatible chemicals are separated
- Appropriate containers and storage systems are used
- Ventilation is adequate
- Spill kits and emergency equipment are available
- Safe handling procedures are documented
Where large quantities of hazardous chemicals are stored, additional requirements such as placards, manifests and emergency plans may apply.
7. Monitor Worker Exposure
Some hazardous chemicals have workplace exposure standards, which limit how much of a chemical workers can be exposed to.
Employers may need to conduct:
- Air monitoring
- Exposure assessments
- Workplace inspections
These measures help ensure chemical exposure remains below legal limits.
8. Provide Health Monitoring Where Required
For certain high-risk chemicals (such as lead or some carcinogens), employers must provide health monitoring for workers.
Health monitoring may include:
- Medical examinations
- Biological monitoring
- Respiratory testing
This helps detect early signs of illness caused by chemical exposure.
9. Provide Training, Information and Supervision
Employers must ensure workers receive adequate training on:
- Chemical hazards
- Safe handling procedures
- Personal protective equipment
- Emergency response
- Reading labels and Safety Data Sheets
Workers must understand how to work safely with hazardous chemicals and what to do in an emergency. See our online Safety Awareness course for Users of Hazardous Chemicals here
10. Prepare Emergency Plans
Workplaces that store significant quantities of hazardous chemicals must develop emergency plans that address:
- Chemical spills or leaks
- Fires and explosions
- Worker exposure incidents
- Emergency evacuation
Emergency services may also require copies of these plans where manifest quantities of hazardous chemicals are present.
Why Hazardous Chemical Management Matters
Poor chemical management can lead to:
- Serious worker injuries or illness
- Environmental damage
- Fires and explosions
- Regulatory penalties and prosecutions
Effective hazardous chemical management not only ensures compliance with WHS laws but also protects workers, the public and the business itself.
Final Thoughts
Hazardous chemicals are present in many workplaces, often in ways employers may not immediately recognise. By identifying chemical hazards, maintaining accurate registers and Safety Data Sheets, providing training and implementing safe handling systems, businesses can significantly reduce chemical risks.
Employers should regularly review their chemical management systems to ensure they remain compliant with Australian WHS legislation and best practice guidance.
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