Know exactly what you hold — before an emergency does
If you use, handle, manufacture or store hazardous substances, the Hazardous Substances Regulations 2017 require you to keep an up-to-date inventory at each site you control. For each substance it records the name and UN number, the maximum quantity likely to be present, and the current safety data sheet. It must be readily accessible to emergency services, and if your quantities cross certain thresholds you will also need a location compliance certificate.
The Hazardous Substances Regulations 2017 require an inventory of hazardous substances used, handled, manufactured or stored at the workplace, kept at the workplace and maintained up to date. For each hazardous substance it must record the product or chemical name and UN number (if available), the maximum quantity likely to be present, and the current safety data sheet (or a condensed version of its key information).
The inventory must also include hazardous waste — for example flammable or chromium VI waste — though waste does not need an SDS. You need a separate inventory for each site you manage or control.
Your inventory tells emergency services, compliance certifiers and health and safety inspectors exactly what hazardous substances are on site. It must be readily accessible to emergency service workers attending the workplace, during an emergency and after the site has been evacuated — in hard copy, electronic or other form that can be reached without difficulty. WorkSafe's online Hazardous Substances Calculator can build your inventory and tell you most of the controls you need.
You must obtain the current SDS from the manufacturer, importer or supplier when a hazardous substance is first supplied, and again when the SDS is amended (and treat it as a first supply if none has been provided for five years). Keep the current SDS, or a condensed version of its key information, readily accessible to workers in their work areas.
If you hold explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic or corrosive substances above the thresholds in the Regulations, you will need a location compliance certificate. Use the calculator to check, then engage a compliance certifier from the register. Certificates run for one year for explosive, flammable and oxidising substances (extendable to three years if you meet certain requirements) and up to three years for toxic and corrosive substances. Notify WorkSafe at least 30 working days before commissioning a new hazardous substance location. See hazardous substances and major hazard facilities.
Keep your substances records and safety information current in one place. Book a demo and we'll show you how it works — free 30-day trial included.
Any PCBU that uses, handles, manufactures or stores hazardous substances must keep an inventory at each site they manage or control, and keep it up to date.
For each hazardous substance: the product or chemical name and UN number (if available), the maximum quantity likely to be present, and the current safety data sheet or a condensed version of its key information. It must also list hazardous waste.
So that fire and other emergency workers know what hazardous substances are on site and can respond safely — both during an emergency and after the workplace has been evacuated. It can be hard copy or electronic, as long as it is readily accessible.
When you hold explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic or corrosive substances above the thresholds in the Regulations. Use WorkSafe's online calculator to check, then engage a compliance certifier from the register.
One year for explosive, flammable and oxidising substances, extendable to three years if you meet certain requirements, and up to three years for toxic and corrosive substances.
