• Risk management and emergencies

Chemical safety training

All staff and students must complete the following training and be assessed as competent prior to working with chemicals.

Training Course For When Details
Local Area WHS Induction All staff and students On the first day of commencing work (or the first week if fully supervised when on premises) Conduct a local area WHS induction
UWA Safety and Heath Induction

All staff

 

 

Non-staff

As a new starter, refresher required every 2 years

 

As a new starter, refresher required every 2 years

Complete the mandatory staff Safety and Health induction

 

UWA non-Staff health and safety induction

UWA WHS Risk Management Training Managers / Supervisor / Senior Leaders / Executives As a new starter in a manager/supervisor role, refresher required every 2 years Complete the UWA WHS Risk Management training module
UWA Laboratory Safety Course Staff and students Before working in a laboratory, refresher required every 5 years Laboratory Safety Course
ChemAlert Training Staff and students Before working with chemicals Online ChemAlert Training

Safety data sheets (SDSs)

An SDS must be available for all hazardous or dangerous items that are used or stored in your area. SDSs may be supplied as electronic or paper copies and must be <5 years old.

Accessing safety data sheets

The SDS file is found on thereports tab of the product details for the ChemAlert entry for an item. To retrieve a SDS go to ChemAlert and search for your product. If the product SDS is not available, you may request its addition by contacting [email protected]

Many SDSs are also available electronically from the websites of the manufacturers or suppliers. To have one uploaded to the ChemAlert system contact [email protected].

Chemical risk assessments

During the planning of any procedure involving chemicals and prior to purchase, potential hazards must be identified, and the risks assessed. This ensures that all staff, students and visitors are aware of potential hazards, and that appropriate handling techniques and control requirements are in place to minimise risk to personnel and University property.

Refer to complete a chemical risk assessment.

Chemical Emergency Prevention Measures

In addition to UWA Safety general emergency procedures, the following should be available in your local area:

  • Emergency numbers prominently displayed.
  • First aid supplies, and training, are suitable for the chemicals used and stored.
  • Suitable spill kits are available
  • Remoteness or other complicating factors have been considered when developing your emergency procedures.
  • Any other emergency procedures and requirements (as outlined in the SDS) are available.

Health Monitoring

Where monitoring is required, baseline samples must be taken prior to working with the reagent and a sample schedule has been organized. Records must be kept for thirty years for each person who works with substances requiring health monitoring.

Check the following links to determine if health monitoring is required:

Scheduled carcinogenic substances

Refer to the section below on Dangerous goods and chemicals of high consequence or concern: carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens.