Chemicals - Spills and Leaks SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning and responding to chemical spills and leaks, from raising the alarm through containment, recovery, decontamination and close-out. It supports planning by addressing exposure, fire, vapours, pressurised fluids, contamination, access and contaminated waste.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the spill response
• Prepare the spill response area
• Inspect containers and response equipment
• Raise the alarm and isolate the area
• Assess spill and leak conditions
• Stop the leak at its source
• Contain liquid migration
• Recover oils and fuels
• Manage toxic chemical spills
• Respond to spills at accident scenes
• Decontaminate people and equipment
• Package contaminated waste, inspect the area and close out

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses responding to chemical spills and leaks.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations.
• Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace 2021, as adopted or otherwise applicable in the jurisdiction. Guidance includes containing, cleaning and disposing of spills without mixing incompatible chemicals.
• Model Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals. SDS Section 6 should identify personal precautions, ventilation, ignition-source control, environmental precautions, containment, clean-up and disposal methods.
• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks, as adopted or otherwise applicable in the jurisdiction.
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
• AS/NZS 3833: The storage and handling of mixed classes of dangerous goods, in packages and intermediate bulk containers.
• AS 3780: The storage and handling of corrosive substances.
• AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment and respiratory protective devices.
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves.
• AS/NZS 1337.1: Personal eye-protection equipment.
• AS/NZS 2210.3: Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections