Hazardous Substances Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers the identification, handling, storage and management of hazardous substances, including related information, controls and emergency arrangements. It supports planning by helping businesses review substance-related risks, assign controls and keep records current.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Set hazardous-substances responsibilities, oversight and planning arrangements
• Consult workers, representatives, contractors and other duty holders about substance use and changes
• Identify hazardous substances and assess site-specific exposure and health risks
• Review substances before purchase and consider safer alternatives where appropriate
• Maintain accessible registers, current safety data sheets and clear labels
• Plan storage, segregation and management of quantities in work areas
• Provide understandable training, instruction and supervision for substance-related tasks
• Review exposure controls, monitoring needs and the use of personal protective equipment
• Manage contractor substances and assess changes to products, quantities, methods and work areas
• Prepare for spills, fire, releases, reactions and decontamination needs
• Report, investigate and follow up spills, exposures, near misses and control failures
• Audit documents, records and controls, and remove superseded instructions

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses that use, handle, store or manage hazardous substances.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.1 How to identify which chemicals are hazardous; p. 15.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 3. Step 2 — How to assess risks; p. 15.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination — 3. What is effective consultation?; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 1.2 Managing risks associated with the work environment and facilities; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Assessing plant risks — work practices and procedures; p. 20.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use