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A/9.8 Chemical management policy |
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9.8.1 Chemical management policy 9.8.1 Chemical management policyChemical management at QUT will meet legislative obligations and the University's requirements for good practice. Managers and supervisors are responsible for the safe handling, transport, storage, use and disposal of chemical substances at QUT. Additionally, the University requires that staff, students and visitors act with proper diligence, particularly those in supervisory roles. 9.8.2 DefinitionsThe definition of " chemicals " under the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 is within the term " substance " , and means " any natural or artificial substance, whether in solid or liquid form, or in the form of a gas or vapour " (see Schedule 3 of the Act). The term " hazardous substances " is defined by the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Regulation.
As defined under the
Hazardous Substances Advisory Standard 2003
,
"
substance
"
does not include a thing (other than a fluid or particle) -
" High Risk Chemicals " are defined for QUT's purpose as those from the following list deemed relevant by the executive dean of faculty or equivalent head of other organisational area:
The current list is available on the HR Health and Safety Advisory Services web page. 9.8.3 Acquisition (purchase or donation)QUT's policy on chemical acquisition is at G/5.3.3. Good practice requires minimal long-term storage of chemical substances and that, where practicable, the University adopts just-in-time purchase or acquisition practices. An adequate risk assessment related to the proposed use of the substance should be conducted prior to any purchasing decision or acquisition. To enable proper costing of teaching and research in the planning stages, it is recommended that the method and cost of waste disposal be considered along with any permits or fees and charges incurred in landing the goods at the University. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for any substance must be obtained prior to acquisition, any imposed conditions should be noted for implementation, and the document should remain readily available to the user. If there are special storage needs, these should be stated in research proposals or risk assessments and costed where possible (eg. cryogenic storage, locked cabinet of special construction). 9.8.4 StorageChemical substances at QUT should be appropriately labelled, which generally means the inclusion of defined risk and safety phrases where required by the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Regulation and Advisory Standard . All chemical containers (other than rented containers, eg gas cylinders) must have a QUT logo attached. The proper segregation of substances as described in the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2002 and the Australian Standard 2243.10 Safety in Laboratories should be observed (eg in stores, refrigerators, cupboards; on shelves and benches; and during transport). A register of chemical substances must be provided to HR Health and Safety Advisory Services at least annually. 9.8.5 Transport and useChemical exposures should be minimised within acceptable guidelines which rely on proper work practices being followed. Hazardous substances, in particular, require documented work practices that control the risks. Work practices include safety requirements such as the use of assisted ventilation, personal protective equipment where necessary and appropriate spill procedures. Emergency procedures should be formulated within the documented work practice and must be followed. Transport or movement of chemical substances around the workplace will comply with the legislative requirements, the manufacturer's advice on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), and University procedures to reduce the risk. 9.8.6 Off-campus useChemical substances must not be taken off-campus unless the approved documentation (eg research proposal, transport manifest) describes the appropriate chemical management process to be undertaken, and all legislative requirements are met. 9.8.7 High risk chemicals" High risk chemicals " may be misused for the manufacture of illicit drugs of addiction and/or chemical warfare agent precursors. The executive dean of faculty or equivalent head of other organisational area may add specific chemicals to or delete specific chemicals from the " high risk chemicals " category. For example, certain chemicals may be highly hazardous or rare and costly, so will be added to the list. Conversely, a few chemicals on the High Risk list may be so commonly used in such large quantities that daily tracking of individual containers becomes unworkable. Those chemicals identified within a faculty, division or other organisational area as " high risk chemicals " must comply with the following audit trail:
A system of monitoring and random audits will be conducted by the QUT Chemical and Biosafety Adviser or a nominee of the Associate Director, QUT Health and Safety Advisory Services. Audit discrepancies will be referred to senior management of the organisational area for investigation and action. 9.8.8 Incident ManagementExecutive deans of faculty and heads of division shall ensure that local procedures exist to manage unplanned incidents related to transport, storage or use of chemicals purchased or acquired within their area of authority. Incidents may be minor (eg rusting tin with pinholes allowing escape of contents), or more serious (eg a trolley of mixed chemicals in transit overturns in a lift, the persistent leakage of hydrogen gas from a cylinder, etc). In potentially serious incidents, the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 requires that the scene not be disturbed without approval from an inspector or the police unless such intervention is to preserve life, reduce injury consequences or reduce harm to property. Contact the 24 hour Security Emergency Number 85555 or 3138 5555 for assistance. Security is to notify HR Health and Safety Advisory Services. 9.8.9 DisposalDisposal of chemical substances is in accordance with the University's chemical waste disposal policy (see section H/6.3.2 and the Facilities Management web site. Substances must not be disposed of inappropriately (eg into a sink or sewerage system). Substances accompanied by their current MSDS must not be donated externally to QUT, without the signed approval of the executive dean of faculty or head of the organisational area. 9.8.10 Non-compliance/ breach of policyIn cases of failure to adhere to this policy QUT misconduct provisions will apply. Refer to the following policies and agreements: B/8.2 Official misconduct B/8.5 Disciplinary action for misconduct and serious misconduct - senior staff B/8.1 Code of Conduct A/7.1 Indemnity and insurance QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Academic Staff) , clause 44 QUT Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (Professional Staff) , clause 49 Modification History
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