skip navigation
Home >  WorkSafe >  Safety Topics >  Hazardous substances >  Chemical substances >  Chemical control

Chemical control

  1. What should I do?
  2. Obtaining information
  3. Responsibilities

1. What should I do?

Employers and self employed persons have a legal responsibility to obtain adequate information about the hazardous substances used in their workplaces. This information is contained in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which can be obtained from the manufacturer, importer or wholesale supplier.

This information should be used to identify any potential hazards that may arise from the use, storage, and transportation of the chemicals in question. Discussions between employers and employees should take place to find ways in which potential hazards can be reduced or eliminated, taking into account the risks and costs involved. Once a hazard has been identified, the risk of injury or harm needs to be determined and an assessment made as to whether it is practicable to reduce or remove that hazard.

Constructive problem solving is the key to successful hazard control in the workplace. The onus is on both the employer and employee to obtain as much information about the hazardous substances used in the workplace as needed to manage the risks. If you're not sure whether you have adequate information, take another look at the MSDS and label, contact the manufacturer, or do some further research.

If in doubt, ask. You have the "right to know".

2. Obtaining and providing information

If you are an employer:

Ask for MSDS for all chemical substances in your workplaces, preferably before ordering them. The information should be passed on to elected safety and health representatives or safety and health committees, where they exist. If you are unable to obtain an MSDS from the manufacturer, importer or wholesale supplier of a hazardous substance, you may refer this issue to WorkSafe. 

Read the MSDS and get as much additional information and advice as you need from the manufacturer, importer or wholesale supplier of the products, or from representatives of the organisations listed below. This information must be used in your risk assessment and in training employees in the hazards and safe use of the substances.

Put together a hazardous substances register, containing an index of substances, each MSDS and reference to the risk assessment.  Ensure all employees have ready access to the register for all the hazardous substances they use or to which they may be exposed.

Ensure all hazardous substances have their original label, or if decanted into another container and not used immediately, that the container now holding the substance is adequately labelled.

Encourage your employees to read the MSDS and make suggestions about improving safety procedures and safe working practices as well as emergency procedures. It's better to look at ways of preventing accidents and hazards rather than just how to deal with them if or when they occur.

If you are an employee:

Your first contact point is likely to be your employer. Your employer will already have obtained (or will be able to obtain) MSDS on all the hazardous substances used in your workplace. Ask to see them.

Take time to read the MSDS and familiarise yourself with the hazardous substances you use in your workplace. You can use the MSDS as a guide to make sure you are using the substances safely.

3. Responsibilities

If you are an employer:

DO - exercise your "right to know" by requesting MSDS for all the hazardous substances used in your workplace from the manufacturer, importer or wholesale supplier. Ensure these are kept in a register, together with the list of substances and reference to risk assessments.

Do - ensure all substances have either their original label, or (if decanted and not used immediately) an adequate label to identify the substance and the risks associated with it.

Do - conduct a risk assessment on the use of hazardous substances (in consultation with employees) to ensure your controls are adequate to minimise risks.  Seek expert assistance if the risk is complex or your are concerned exposures are high.  Keep a record of the risk assessment.

DO - make sure hazardous substances are stored correctly and access to them is controlled if needed, according to guidance in the MSDS.

DO - implement safe handling, transportation and emergency procedures, in consultation with your employees. Follow the guidelines in the MSDS and take into account any other information obtained from the manufacturers, importer, wholesale supplier or other relevant organisations.

DO - provide employees with training in the hazards and safe handling of hazardous substances they use. Supervise employees so they follow safe handling procedures. Keep records of training provided.

DO - provide adequate safety equipment for your employees as indicated in the MSDS.

DO - take advantage of training schemes offered by manufacturers, importers or suppliers of hazardous substances, or by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority or other safety training organisations.

If you are an employee:

DO - exercise your "right to know" and ask to see all MSDS for the hazardous substances used in your workplace.

DO - read the label before using a hazardous substance.

DO - take advantage of all training offered that will help you to deal with hazardous substances and potentially hazardous situations.

DO - tell your employer if you are concerned that any work practices are unsafe or you are exposed to a hazard.

DO - discuss with your employer ways in which the job can be made safer by improvements to your work and safety practices and procedures.

DO - use all safety equipment provided by your employer. If adequate equipment is not available discuss this with your employer immediately.

DO - suggest to your employer possible improvements to your work and safety procedures and discuss the best ways of tackling potential hazards now, rather than waiting for accidents to happen.

Government organisations involved in hazardous substance control

Although you would normally contact the manufacturer, importer or wholesale supplier when you need information on a substance, some other organisations involved in hazardous substance control include the:

  • WorkSafe;
  • Department of Mines and Petroleum;
  • Department of Environment and Conservation:
  • Department of Health;
  • Fire and Emergency Service Authority (FESA);
  • Local government;
  • Safe Work Australia;
  • Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA)
  • National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS). 

REMEMBER: Read the MSDS. Talk to each other about working with and handling hazardous substances.

Additional information:

Related information