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Biological Hazards, Mould and Cytotoxic Substances Risk Assessment

Biological Hazards, Mould and Cytotoxic Substances Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
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  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Biological Hazards, Mould and Cytotoxic Substances Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Biological Hazards, Mould and Cytotoxic Substances through a structured, management-level Risk Assessment that supports planning, systems design and governance across your operations. This document helps demonstrate Due Diligence under the WHS Act, reducing organisational exposure to operational liability and supporting robust WHS Risk Management for hazardous biological agents and cytotoxic materials.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Policy and Legislative Compliance: Assessment of organisational policies, roles, responsibilities and consultation arrangements to ensure biological, mould and cytotoxic risks are managed in line with statutory obligations.
  • Risk Management Framework for Biological and Cytotoxic Hazards: Development and integration of a formal risk management program, including hazard identification, risk assessment, control selection and review processes for infectious and cytotoxic exposures.
  • Facility Design, Ventilation and Engineering Controls: Evaluation of building layout, isolation areas, negative/positive pressure systems, fume cupboards, biosafety cabinets and local exhaust ventilation to minimise airborne and contact-based exposures.
  • Building Maintenance, Water Intrusion and Mould Management: Management of leaks, condensation, HVAC maintenance, damp materials and cleaning programs to prevent, detect and remediate mould growth and associated health risks.
  • Hazardous Substance Procurement and Inventory Management: Controls for selection, approval, acquisition, labelling and stock control of biological agents, disinfectants and cytotoxic substances, including Safety Data Sheet (SDS) governance.
  • Storage, Handling Systems and Containment: Assessment of segregation, secondary containment, temperature control, secure storage, decanting procedures and transfer systems for infectious and cytotoxic materials.
  • Air Quality, Housekeeping and Dust Control Systems: Management of airborne contaminants, surface contamination, cleaning regimes, waste collection and filtration systems to minimise inhalation and contact risks.
  • Training, Competency and Information for Workers: Requirements for induction, task-specific training, refresher programs and access to procedures so workers understand biological, mould and cytotoxic hazards and safe systems of work.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management System: Selection, provision, fit-testing, maintenance and replacement of PPE such as respirators, gowns, gloves and eye protection for relevant exposure scenarios.
  • Health Monitoring, Incident Reporting and Medical Management: Protocols for health surveillance, exposure reporting, post-exposure management, vaccination programs and liaison with occupational health providers.
  • Cytotoxic Preparation, Transport and Waste Management Systems: Oversight of compounding, closed-system transfer devices, packaging, labelling, on-site movement and final disposal of cytotoxic drugs and contaminated waste.
  • Contractor, Visitor and Third-Party Management: Controls for access, induction, supervision and information sharing with contractors, cleaners, maintenance personnel and visitors who may be exposed to biological or cytotoxic risks.
  • Emergency Preparedness, Spill Response and Decontamination: Planning for spills, leaks, accidental releases and contamination events, including emergency procedures, spill kits, decontamination methods and isolation protocols.
  • Consultation, Communication and Worker Engagement: Systems for WHS committee involvement, toolbox talks, notifications and feedback mechanisms relating to biological, mould and cytotoxic risk controls.
  • Auditing, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Scheduled inspections, performance indicators, internal audits, corrective actions and management review to ensure ongoing effectiveness of control measures.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Clinical Directors, Facility Managers and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, governing and reviewing organisational controls for biological hazards, mould and cytotoxic substances across healthcare, laboratories and related workplaces.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Policy and Legislative Compliance
  • • Absence of a documented WHS policy specific to biological hazards, mould and cytotoxic substances
  • • Failure to align business procedures with WHS Act 2011, WHS Regulations and relevant Codes of Practice (e.g. Hazardous Chemicals, Managing the Risk of Infection)
  • • Lack of clear roles, responsibilities and due diligence arrangements for officers in relation to biological and cytotoxic risks
  • • Inadequate consultation mechanisms with Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) and workers on biological and cytotoxic risks
  • • No formal review cycle for WHS policies when standards or legislation change
  • • Insufficient integration of biological and cytotoxic substance risks into the overall WHS management system
2. Risk Management Framework for Biological and Cytotoxic Hazards
  • • Lack of a systematic risk assessment process for biological agents, mould, dust and cytotoxic substances
  • • Inconsistent identification of tasks, locations and groups at elevated risk of allergen or carcinogen exposure
  • • No consideration of vulnerable worker groups (pregnant workers, immunocompromised, asthma or allergy sufferers)
  • • Poor integration of cytotoxic risk assessment with chemical, waste and manual handling assessments
  • • Failure to consider cumulative and chronic exposure risks (sensitisation, carcinogenicity, respiratory illness)
  • • Inadequate documentation and review of risk assessments leading to outdated controls
3. Facility Design, Ventilation and Engineering Controls
  • • Inadequate ventilation and air exchange leading to accumulation of mould spores, dust and airborne allergens
  • • Insufficient segregation of cytotoxic preparation, administration and storage areas from general workspaces
  • • Lack of dedicated biological safety cabinets or cytotoxic drug safety cabinets where required
  • • Inappropriate airflows and pressure differentials resulting in contamination spread to clean areas
  • • Building design or maintenance issues that encourage water ingress and mould growth (roof leaks, condensation, poor drainage)
  • • Lack of local exhaust ventilation or HEPA filtration in high-risk areas
  • • Poorly designed storage areas that allow deterioration or breakage of cytotoxic containers
4. Building Maintenance, Water Intrusion and Mould Management
  • • Uncontrolled water leaks, condensation or flooding leading to mould growth in occupied areas
  • • Lack of a systematic inspection and maintenance regime for moisture-prone areas (roofs, basements, wet areas, HVAC condensate pans)
  • • Inadequate response procedures for water damage incidents resulting in prolonged dampness
  • • Failure to identify and remediate hidden mould in ceiling cavities, wall linings or under floor coverings
  • • Use of inappropriate cleaning methods that aerosolise mould spores and dust
  • • No documented criteria for escalation, isolation of affected areas or engaging specialist remediation contractors
5. Hazardous Substance Procurement and Inventory Management
  • • Procurement of cytotoxic, carcinogenic or highly allergenic substances without prior WHS review
  • • Incomplete or inaccurate hazardous chemicals register, including cytotoxic agents and biological agents
  • • Lack of current Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for cytotoxic and sensitising substances
  • • Overstocking of cytotoxic and allergenic substances leading to degradation and increased waste
  • • Purchasing of products that generate unnecessary dust or bioaerosols when safer alternatives exist
  • • Failure to identify and label all cytotoxic preparations, waste and storage areas
6. Storage, Handling Systems and Containment
  • • Improper segregation of cytotoxic substances from other medications or chemicals
  • • Inadequate storage conditions leading to container damage, leaks or generation of contaminated dust
  • • Lack of systems for secondary containment of cytotoxic liquids and contaminated sharps
  • • Insufficient control of areas where dusty or mould-prone materials are stored (e.g. paper archives, soft furnishings)
  • • Failure to control access to cytotoxic and high-risk biological storage areas
  • • Inadequate systems for labelling partially used cytotoxic vials and prepared doses
7. Air Quality, Housekeeping and Dust Control Systems
  • • Accumulation of dust containing mould spores, allergens and other biological contaminants on surfaces and in HVAC systems
  • • Cleaning practices that resuspend dust and mould into the breathing zone of workers and occupants
  • • Inadequate housekeeping schedules in areas where dust or mould can accumulate (storerooms, ceiling cavities, plant rooms)
  • • Use of vacuum cleaners without HEPA filtration in high-risk areas
  • • Failure to monitor indoor air quality when recurrent complaints or symptoms are reported
  • • Inadequate control of dust-generating maintenance or construction activities in occupied areas
8. Training, Competency and Information for Workers
  • • Workers unaware of health risks associated with mould, dust, allergens and cytotoxic substances, including chronic and carcinogenic effects
  • • Insufficient training in safe handling systems, containment equipment use and spill management for cytotoxic substances
  • • Lack of competency assessment for staff preparing, administering or disposing of cytotoxic agents
  • • Failure to inform workers with known allergies, asthma or immune conditions about potential workplace exposures and available controls
  • • Inadequate induction for contractors who may disturb mould, dust or cytotoxic residues during their work
  • • Training not refreshed regularly, leading to skill decay and complacency
9. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management System
  • • Reliance on PPE as the primary control rather than as a supplementary measure
  • • Inappropriate selection of PPE for cytotoxic handling or mould remediation tasks (e.g. inadequate gloves or respiratory protection)
  • • Lack of fit testing and user training for tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment
  • • No systems for cleaning, storage and replacement of reusable PPE, leading to contamination and secondary exposure
  • • Workers with facial hair or medical conditions unable to achieve adequate respirator fit without alternative controls
  • • Absence of clear PPE requirements in local procedures for tasks with biological or cytotoxic exposure risk
10. Health Monitoring, Incident Reporting and Medical Management
  • • Failure to identify early signs of sensitisation, allergic reactions or respiratory illness due to dust, mould or allergens
  • • No health monitoring program for workers with significant cytotoxic exposure potential, where required by regulations or guidance
  • • Under-reporting of minor exposures, spills or health complaints related to biological and cytotoxic hazards
  • • Lack of access to occupational health advice regarding workers with pre-existing allergies, asthma or immunocompromise
  • • Inadequate follow-up and investigation of reported symptoms, leading to repeated exposures
  • • No systems for emergency medical response to acute exposures (e.g. cytotoxic splash, severe allergic reaction)
11. Cytotoxic Preparation, Transport and Waste Management Systems
  • • System failures leading to leaks, spills or aerosol generation during cytotoxic preparation or transfer
  • • Inadequate systems for transport of cytotoxic substances within the facility (e.g. open trays, unsecured containers)
  • • Improper segregation and labelling of cytotoxic waste leading to inadvertent exposure of cleaners or waste contractors
  • • Use of general waste streams for cytotoxic-contaminated materials, linen or sharps
  • • Lack of documented procedures for cytotoxic spill response and decontamination
  • • Inconsistent use of closed-system transfer devices where indicated
12. Contractor, Visitor and Third-Party Management
  • • Contractors disturbing mould or dust during works without appropriate controls or awareness
  • • Cleaning or maintenance contractors inadequately trained in handling cytotoxic residues, contaminated linen or biological waste
  • • Visitors and non-routine workers entering areas with elevated biological or cytotoxic risk without briefing or controls
  • • Inconsistent requirements for contractor WHS documentation related to biological and cytotoxic hazards
  • • Poor coordination between host employer and contractors regarding isolation of affected areas during remediation or construction
13. Emergency Preparedness, Spill Response and Decontamination
  • • Lack of coordinated emergency plans for significant mould contamination, dust release or cytotoxic spills
  • • Workers unaware of procedures for isolating affected areas and notifying key personnel
  • • Inadequate availability or maintenance of spill response and decontamination equipment
  • • Failure to consider cross-contamination risks during evacuation or emergency response
  • • No predefined criteria for engaging external hazardous materials or environmental hygiene specialists
14. Consultation, Communication and Worker Engagement
  • • Workers not consulted on practical issues with existing controls for dust, mould and cytotoxic substances
  • • Inadequate communication of monitoring results, incident learnings and changes to procedures
  • • Rumours or misinformation about health effects causing anxiety or under-reporting
  • • Failure to capture feedback from workers with allergies or other sensitivities about their exposure experiences
15. Auditing, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
  • • Lack of systematic verification that control measures for biological, mould, dust and cytotoxic hazards are implemented and effective
  • • Failure to use data from incidents, health monitoring, complaints and inspections to improve systems
  • • Outdated procedures and risk assessments remaining in use due to absent review processes
  • • No performance indicators specific to biological and cytotoxic risk management

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

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Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Code of Practice: Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risks from hazardous chemicals, including cytotoxic substances.
  • Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – Code of Practice: Requirements for ventilation, hygiene, cleaning and building conditions relevant to air quality and mould control.
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Code of Practice: Framework for systematic risk management and due diligence obligations.
  • Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice: Requirements for correct labelling of cytotoxic and other hazardous substances.
  • Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Drugs and Related Wastes (State/Territory Guidelines): Sector guidance for compounding, administration and disposal of cytotoxic materials.
  • AS/NZS 2243 Safety in Laboratories (series): Standards for laboratory design, biosafety, ventilation and handling of biological agents.
  • AS/NZS 1715 & AS/NZS 1716: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment for airborne biological and mould hazards.
  • AS/NZS 1337 & AS/NZS 1338: Eye and face protection requirements for splash and aerosol exposure.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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