Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Issues such as compliance, safety in the curriculum and workplace bullying.

Hazardous substances

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes - if your school has any hazardous substances on its premises.

Conditions of compliance

A workplace must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007(Vic.). These regulations are designed to protect the health of people in the workplace who are exposed to chemicals or substances that are hazardous and to ensure that dangerous goods are stored and handled appropriately.

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

To comply with the requirements of the Hazardous Substances Regulations, your school must undertake the following actions:

• Identify Hazardous Substances in all areas of the school
• Create a register of Hazardous Substances used in the school
• Obtain MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) for all identified and suspected Hazardous Substances
• Ensure that containers of Hazardous Substances are correctly labeled
• Conduct a risk assessment on each hazardous substance and/or process in which they are used
• Control the risk using the Hierarchy of Control (or preferred order of control)
• From the above, determine whether atmospheric monitoring or health surveillance is required (preferably eliminate substances and procedures in which such monitoring would be required)
• Ensure that staff and supervisors have received sufficient information, instruction and training to handle these substances
• Ensure employees can demonstrate competencies with regard to safe work practices as prescribed in the Code of Practice
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of control measures.

Note:

• The hazard identification, risk assessment and control process should be undertaken in consultation with users of the chemicals and the relevant Health and Safety Representative (HSR)
• Each step in the process must be documented

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

You could be penalised under breaches of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 (Vic.) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic.).

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Annia Dear
Risk and Compliance Advisor
Ph. 03 9825 7275
annia.dear@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Other links:

DEECD Resources - Hazardous Substances (contains links to Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and other support material)

DEECD: Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide Section 4.4 Student safety and risk management

DEECD: Victorian Government Schools Reference Guide Section 7.27.3 Hazardous materials

Submitted 5/12/2006, edited 7/2/2011.