Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, step-by-step process for the safe storage, handling, dosing and documentation of chemical admixtures used in concrete and other construction materials. It helps Australian businesses control exposure to hazardous substances, protect product quality, and demonstrate compliance with WHS and environmental obligations on every pour.

Chemical admixtures are critical for achieving the required performance of concrete and other construction materials, but they also introduce significant safety, environmental and quality risks if they are not managed systematically. This Chemical Admixture Usage Safe Operating Procedure provides a practical, WHS‑aligned framework for how admixtures are received, stored, decanted, dosed, mixed, and recorded on Australian construction and production sites. It covers both day‑to‑day plant operations and site-based usage, with clear instructions for workers at all levels.

The procedure helps businesses reduce the risk of chemical exposure, spills, incompatible mixing, and incorrect dosing that can compromise structural integrity or lead to costly rework. It aligns with Australian WHS legislation and relevant standards to support your duty of care, while also embedding quality controls such as batch traceability, calibration of dosing systems, and verification of mix performance. By implementing this SOP, organisations can standardise practices across sites, improve safety culture, and provide defensible evidence of due diligence during audits, client inspections, or incident investigations.

Key Benefits

• Ensure safe storage, handling and dosing of chemical admixtures in line with Australian WHS requirements.
• Reduce the risk of worker exposure to hazardous substances through clearly defined PPE and control measures.
• Improve concrete and materials quality by standardising admixture selection, dosing accuracy and batch documentation.
• Minimise environmental harm and clean‑up costs by setting out robust spill prevention, containment and disposal procedures.
• Support regulatory compliance and audit readiness with clear records, responsibilities and verification steps for admixture use.

Who is this for?

• Batch Plant Operators
• Concrete Production Supervisors
• Site Engineers
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers and Advisors
• Quality Assurance Managers
• Laboratory Technicians (Construction Materials Testing)
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Formwork and Pour Supervisors

Hazards Addressed

• Skin and eye contact with corrosive or irritant chemical admixtures
• Inhalation of vapours, mists or aerosols generated during transfer or mixing
• Chemical burns from strong acids, alkalis or accelerators
• Allergic reactions or sensitisation from repeated low‑level exposure
• Chemical spills leading to slip hazards and environmental contamination
• Incorrect admixture dosing causing structural integrity issues or product failure
• Incompatible chemical mixing causing heat, gas release or product instability
• Manual handling injuries from moving drums, IBCs and dosing equipment
• Confined space and ventilation risks when working in batch plants or enclosed mixing areas

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Abbreviations
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Description of Chemical Admixture Types and Hazards
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Control Measures
• 7.0 Storage, Segregation and Labelling Requirements
• 8.0 Receipt of Deliveries and Inspection of Containers
• 9.0 Required PPE and Safety Equipment
• 10.0 Decanting, Transfer and Dosing Procedures
• 11.0 Operation and Calibration of Dosing Systems
• 12.0 Mixing, Sampling and Quality Verification
• 13.0 Spill Prevention, Containment and Clean‑up
• 14.0 Waste Management and Environmentally Responsible Disposal
• 15.0 Health Monitoring and Exposure Management (where required)
• 16.0 Emergency Procedures (Exposure, Fire, Major Spill)
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Authorisation Requirements
• 18.0 Documentation, Batch Records and Traceability
• 19.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Housekeeping
• 20.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Hazardous chemicals
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161: Occupational protective gloves
• AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids (where applicable to solvent‑based admixtures)
• AS/NZS ISO 9001: Quality management systems – Requirements (for integration with quality and batch control processes)