Product Overview

Summary: This Solvent Use and Storage Safe Operating Procedure provides clear, practical guidance for safely handling, decanting, using and storing flammable and hazardous solvents in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses control fire and health risks, meet WHS and dangerous goods obligations, and demonstrate a robust, auditable approach to chemical safety.

Solvents are used across Australian industries for cleaning, degreasing, thinning, extraction and production, yet they present significant fire, explosion, health and environmental risks if not managed correctly. This Solvent Use and Storage Safe Operating Procedure sets out a clear, step‑by‑step framework for the safe receipt, decanting, labelling, use, temporary storage and long‑term storage of solvent products. It translates WHS and dangerous goods requirements into practical workplace instructions that frontline workers can follow, while giving managers confidence that solvents are being controlled consistently across sites and shifts.

The SOP addresses common problem areas such as poorly ventilated decanting stations, ad‑hoc storage in inappropriate areas, incompatible chemical segregation, uncontrolled ignition sources, and inadequate spill and waste management. It provides guidance on correct container types, flammable cabinet use, bunding, ventilation, PPE selection, and emergency procedures for spills, fires and exposures. By implementing this procedure, businesses can reduce the risk of serious incidents, support worker health, and demonstrate due diligence during regulator inspections, client audits and insurance reviews.

Designed for the Australian regulatory environment, this SOP supports compliance with WHS legislation, hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods requirements, and relevant Australian Standards. It is suitable for workshops, laboratories, manufacturing plants, automotive and spray painting operations, printing, cleaning contractors, and any workplace where solvents are stored or used in more than household quantities.

Key Benefits

• Reduce fire and explosion risk by standardising safe solvent handling, decanting and storage practices.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS, hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods requirements for flammable liquids and solvents.
• Protect worker health by controlling inhalation, skin contact and environmental exposure to volatile and toxic solvents.
• Improve audit readiness with a documented, repeatable process that demonstrates due diligence to regulators, clients and insurers.
• Streamline training and onboarding by giving supervisors a clear, practical procedure to brief new and existing staff.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Laboratory Managers
• Production Supervisors
• Workshop Supervisors
• Warehouse and Storepersons
• Maintenance Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Chemical Handling Operators
• Laboratory Technicians
• Quality and Compliance Managers
• Small Business Owners using solvents (e.g. spray painting, printing, cleaning)

Hazards Addressed

• Fire and explosion from flammable and combustible solvent vapours
• Ignition from static electricity, hot work, open flames or electrical equipment
• Inhalation of harmful solvent vapours leading to acute or chronic health effects
• Skin and eye contact causing irritation, dermatitis or chemical burns
• Chemical incompatibility and reactions due to incorrect storage or mixing
• Spills and leaks leading to slip hazards, vapour build‑up and environmental contamination
• Manual handling injuries from moving solvent drums, containers and flammable cabinets
• Exposure during decanting, mixing and cleaning operations
• Environmental pollution from incorrect solvent waste storage and disposal

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Solvent Types Covered
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Hazard Identification – Fire, Health and Environmental Risks
• 6.0 Risk Assessment and Hierarchy of Controls for Solvent Use
• 7.0 Approved Solvents, Containers and Labelling Requirements
• 8.0 Storage Requirements (Indoor, Outdoor, Flammable Cabinets and Segregation)
• 9.0 Ventilation and Ignition Source Control
• 10.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Selection and Use
• 11.0 Safe Receipt, Handling and Transport of Solvent Containers
• 12.0 Safe Decanting, Mixing and Use Procedures
• 13.0 Housekeeping, Spill Prevention and Leak Detection
• 14.0 Solvent Waste Management, Segregation and Disposal
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures – Spills, Fires and Exposure Response
• 16.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage Area Checks
• 17.0 Training, Induction and Recordkeeping
• 18.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Model Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations (as implemented in each state and territory)
• 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 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• AS/NZS 60079 series: Explosive atmospheres (for hazardous area considerations)
• AS/NZS 1715: Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment
• AS/NZS 2161 series: Occupational protective gloves
• AS 4775: Emergency eyewash and shower equipment
• Environment Protection legislation and guidelines applicable in the relevant state or territory (for solvent waste and spill management)