Defence WHS Workplace Inspection Checklist Hazardous Chemicals

• Place Inspected

• Conducted on

  Date

• Comment

• Prepared by

• References:
  
  A. Work Health and Safety Act 20111 (Cth)
  B. Work Health and Safety Regulation (Cth)
  C. Defence Work Health and Safety (WHS) Manual, Volume 3, Part 3A, Chapter 1- Hazardous Chemicals Procedures.
  D. Defence Work Health and Safety (WHS) Manual, Volume 3, Part 3A, Chapter 1, HC: 00-00 Defence Hazardous Chemicals Management Program.

• Introduction. Hazardous chemicals are used, stored and handled throughout Defence workplaces and represent a significant hazard source to workers. Hazardous chemicals must be managed to eliminate risk of exposure, or controlled so far as reasonably practicable to protect the health and safety of workers.
  
  Purpose. This checklist is used to informally review the management of hazardous chemicals at the unit/workplace level and to provide early identification of potential issues or non-compliance.
  
  Note. This checklist may be used in part to inspect discrete elements of unit hazardous chemicals managed (e.g SDS Hazardous Chemicals Registers) when required.
  
  WIC Hazardous Chemicals v1.02, Sep 2015

1. POLICY/PROCEDURES

• Q1. Is there a local (Unit) instruction or SOP which details the requirements for the management of Hazardous Chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Where can the Instruction or SOP be found?

  obective

  sharepoint

  Routine Oders

• Ref: Unit Hazardous Chemicals Management System Standing instruction Template.

• Q2. Does the unit have an appointed and trained Hazardous Chemicals Safety Advisor, (HCSA)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 05-01 Provision of information, Training and Instruction.

• Q3. Is the HCSA or equivalent known to workers within the Unit/workplace.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS Act 2011 Part 5

• Q4. Is there a local procedure/standing instruction for the introduction of all new hazardous chemicals to the work place(ie. Local procurement and/or introduced by contractors)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-04 Acquiring local supplies of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q5. Is there a procedure in place for the timely disposal of Hazardous Chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 04-01 Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals and Waste.

2. COMMUNICATION, CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION.

• Q6. Is there a system in place that enables collaboration between units holding hazardous chemicals in a shared facility?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 00-00 Defence Hazardous Chemicals Management Program.

• Q7. Are workers in shared facilities made aware of the the respective hazards and controls associated with the use of hazards chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 00-00 Defence Hazardous Chemicals Management Program.

• Q8. Is the method of reporting hazardous chemicals incidents clearly communicated and available to all workers with the unit?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: Defence WHS Manual, Volume 2, Part 5, Chapter 1 - Notification & Reporting. Ref: HC: 00-00 Defence Hazardous Chemicals Management Program.

• Q9. Do Units/workplaces storing hazardous chemicals in shared facilities collaborate to ensure segregation requirements are met?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS Act 2011 Part 5

• Q10. Are Safety advisors within the Unit/workplace aware of the base planning requirements including safety and emergency plans?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS Act 2011 Part 5

3. INDUCTION, INFORMATION, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

• Q11. Is supervision provided to the workers to protect them from any risks associated with their work with hazardous chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC:05-01 Provision of Information Training and Instruction.

• Q12. Is a training program available on:

• Chemical hazardous and their effects.?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Legislative requirements and responsibilities.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The risk assessment process?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• How to control hazards in the workplace.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Monitoring and health surveillance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC:05-01 Provision of Information Training and Instruction.

• Q13. Is induction, refresher and other training programs reviewed each time there is a change in available hazard information?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC:05-01 Provision of Information Training and Instruction.

• Q14. Are records of induction and training programs available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC:05-01 Provision of Information Training and Instruction.

4. EMERGENCY PLANS AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT

• Q15. Is there a documented Emergency Plan which is regularly reviewed and updated and available to all Workers?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-24 Emergency Planning and Response for Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q16. Are there written procedures for dealing with likely emergencies including incidents involving spills of hazardous chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-24 Emergency Planning & Response for Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC: 3-15 Notification of Hazardous Chemicals Manifest Quantities, Pipeline and Abandoned Tanks?

• Q17. Are workers provided with induction training in emergency procedure at the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-24 Emergency Planning and Response for Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q18. Is there an appropriate reporting system available for recording near misses, incidents, accidents and emergencies?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-24 Emergency Planning and Response for Hazardous Chemicals.

5. CONTROL OF RISK

• Q19. Is there a written policy available for the assessment of risk at the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q20. Have all hazardous chemicals in the workplace been identified?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q21. Is the assessment of risk recorded in ChemAlert for each product? (Unless not required IAW procedure HC: 01-08)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q22. Is a risk assessment conducted prior to local procurement of a hazardous chemical? (Unless not required IAW procedure HC: 01-08).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q23. Are risk assessments reviewed when new evidence or changes occur or at no more than 5 year intervals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q24. Is the hazard and control readily accessible to all workers likely to be exposed?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q25. Are risk control measures used to control exposure to hazardous chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If yes answer Q 26.

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q26. Are the workers trained in control measures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q27. Are all risks from hazardous chemicals controlled to acceptable levels without the need for PPE?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the answer is no go to question Q 29.

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q28. Where the requirement for PPE is identified, does the following apply:

• PPE is the appropriate type?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it readily available?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Workers are trained in correct fitting, use, storage, cleaning and maintenance?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

• Q29. Are there clear lines of communication between the assessment team that conducted the risk assessment and the managers/supervisors who have the authority to implement the recommendations of the assessment process?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 01-08 Hazardous Chemicals Risk Management.

6. SAFETY DATA SHEETS

• Q30. Is an SDS is obtained on or before but no later than when the hazardous chemicals is first supplied for use at the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-07 Safety Data Sheets.

• Q31. Are WHS Reg compliant SDS held for all hazardous chemicals used, stored or handled in the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Q32. Are SDS:

• Current?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Within 5 years from date of issue/review?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-07 Safety Data Sheets.

• Q33. Are SDS readily accessible to all workers, emergency services or anyone else who is likely to be exposed to the hazardous chemical at the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-07 Safety Data Sheets.

• Q34. Do workers know where to locate and when to refer to SDS for hazardous chemicals they use, handle, store?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-07 Safety Data Sheets.

• Q35. Is there a procedure in place for dealing with non-compliant SDS?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-07 Safety Data Sheets.

7. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS REGISTER

• Q36. Is ChemAlert being used as the Defence workplace register for hazardous chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q37. Have workers been trained in the us of ChemAlert?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q38. Have all hazardous chemicals used, stored or handled in the workplace been recorded in the ChemAlert Stock Holding module?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q39. Is the hazardous chemical register (hard copy) readily accessible to all workers and emergency services?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q40. Are quantities in ChemAlert been recorded as:

• Maximum likely quantities to be held?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Volume held in e.g. Litres, grams, kilograms; (a half full 20 litre drum is recorded as 20 litre).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q41. Does the hazardous chemical register include notations on the status of risk assessment completion:

• C - completed;<br><br>IP - in progress;<br><br>NR - not required;<br><br>NCN - no controls necessary; or<br><br>NS - not started?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q42. Are vessels, tanks or pipe work containing hazardous chemicals (e.g. Fuel or gas tanks, chemical storage vessels) been recorded in the ChemAlert Stock Holding register?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q43. Is the hazardous chemical register (ChemAlert) maintained?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-06 Registers for Hazardous Chemicals,

• Q44. Is there a process for maintaining the integrity of ChemAlert database?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

8. LABELLING

• Q45? Are container labels in English and conform to WHS Reg Schedule 9 Part 3 Correct Labelling and Defence requirements?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-17 Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Are replacement labels being applied where a container label is:<br><br>Missing;<br><br>damaged;<br><br>illegible;<br><br>obscured; or<br><br>has a non-compliant label (e.g. Overseas or Defence NSN stock label).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-17 Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q47. Is there a procedure in place for labelling containers into which a substance is decanted and not used immediately?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-17 Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Is pipe-work/pipelines within the workplace (e.g. Fuel or gas tanks, pipelines, chemical storage vessels) identified by a label, sign or another way on or near the pipe line?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-17 Labelling of Hazardous Chemicals.

9. PLACARDS AND SAFETY SIGNS

• Q49. Are workplaces with hazardous chemical holdings exceeding placard ping threshold quantities, displaying the appropriate hazardous chemical placarding forDefence chemical storage areas and workplace facilities?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-14 Placarding of Storage Facilities. Ref: HC: 02.4 Acquiring Local Supplies of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q50. Are placards clearly legible by people approaching the placard and separate from any other sign or writing that contradicts, quantifies or distracts attention from the placard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-14 Placarding of Storage Facilities. Ref: HC: 02.4 Acquiring Local Supplies of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q51. Are safety signs displayed in the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-14 Placarding of Storage Facilities. Ref: HC: 02.4 Acquiring Local Supplies of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q52. Are safety signs displayed next to the hazard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-14 Placarding of Storage Facilities. Ref: HC: 02.4 Acquiring Local Supplies of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q53. Are safety signs clearly legible by people approaching the sign and separate from any other sign or writing that contradicts, quantifies or distracts attention from the placard?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-14 Placarding of Storage Facilities. Ref: HC: 02.4 Acquiring Local Supplies of Hazardous Chemicals.

10. MANIFEST OF SCHEDULE 11 HAZARDS CHEMICALS

• Q54. Are there any:

• Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals in amounts that exceed manifest quantity thresholds? (WHS Reg 347).

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Abandoned tanks? (WHS Reg 366, 367)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Pipelines that transfer schedule 11 hazardous chemicals across a public place? (WHS Reg 391)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If yes answer Q 55 and 56.

• Ref: HC: 03-15 Notification of Hazardous Chemicals Manifest Quantities, Pipeline and Abandoned Tanks.

• Q55. Have the appropriate Notifications been submitted to Comcare (WHS Reg 348)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-15 Notification of Hazardous Chemicals Manifest Quantities, Pipeline and Abandoned Tanks.

• Q56. Is a Manifest of schedule 11 Hazardous Chemicals (web-form AE513) available at the workplace and being maintained. (WHS Regs 347)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-15 Notification of Hazardous Chemicals Manifest Quantities, Pipeline and Abandoned Tanks.

• Is a site plan available at the workplace being maintained (WHS Regs, Schedule 12, section 7)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

11. STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMS

• Q58. Are hazardous chemicals:

• In quantities above placard thresholds correctly stored?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Segregated by classification/category?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Separated by distance/barriers are appropriate for class/division and quantity held?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC: 03.11 Minor Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC 03-11A Cabinets and Cages for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q59. Are cabinets appropriate for the type of hazardous chemicals being stored in them?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC: 03.11 Minor Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC 03-11A Cabinets and Cages for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q60. Are cabinets labelled appropriately including contents classification, custodian details and recorded in ChemAlert?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC: 03.11 Minor Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC 03-11A Cabinets and Cages for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q61. Has sufficient information and training been given to workers regarding hazardous chemicals storage?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC: 03.11 Minor Storage of Hazardous Chemicals. Ref: HC 03-11A Cabinets and Cages for the Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q62. Are gas storage areas separated from other from other hazardous chemical storage areas?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q63. Are cylinders containing different gasses appropriately seggregated?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q64. Are gas cylinders stored outside the building or in an open well ventilated area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q65. Are full cylinders stored separately from empty cylinders?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q66. Are stored gas cylinders secured to prevent accidental dislodgement?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q67. Are cylinders stored away from artificial sources of heat, ignition sources and combustible material?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q68. Is access to gas storage areas controlled to prevent unauthorised access?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q69. Are the fire extinguishers located at or near the gas storage area, appropriate for type of hazardous chemicals being stored and are readily accessible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q70. Where gas cylinders stored inside a building , has it been assessed for the following:

• Combustibility of the storage structure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ventilation?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Separation distance from other hazardous chemicals?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Note: Heavier than air gasses need to be stored with caution to avoid gasses collecting in low lying places, e.g Argon, CO2, LP Gas and Nitrogen.

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q71. Are appropriate warning signs in place, e.g 'No smoking' or 'No naked Flames'?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q72. Are gas connection valves closed/capped if not in use?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q73. Are regulators kept clean and checked for leaks?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q74. Are flashbacks arresters used in fuel gas supply lines?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q75. Are gas hoses correctly colour coded (IAW AS 4289-1995)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q76. Are pressure relief devices fitted to all processes, which exceed cylinder pressure?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q77. Are specialised mechanical aids available for moving gas cylinders and have been certified for lifting where required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q78. Is appropriate PPE being provided?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q79. Does the hazardous chemical register contain all gas types that are stored in the vicinity of the store?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-09 Storage of Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q80. Are damaged or leaking cylinders stored in a well ventilated area, marked as damaged and arrangements in place for collection?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

12. SPILLS AND DAMAGE

• Q81. Are spill kits held held at the workplace that are:

• Appropriate for the type of chemical and compatible with the chemicals being used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Regularly checked and restocked?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Sufficient to deal with quantities being stored/used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-25 Managing Hazardous Chemical Spills

• Q82. Have workers have been trained in emergency and spill procedures?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 03-25 Managing Hazardous Chemical Spills. Ref: HC: 03-24 Emergency Planning and Response for Hazardous Chemicals.

13. HEALTH MONITORING

• Q83. Has a workplace assessment identified that workplace monitoring is required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If yes answer Q 83, 84, 85

• Ref: HC: 02.11 Health Monitoring for Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q84. If 'health monitoring' is required, is there a process that ensures personnel are monitored and results are assessed, stored and kept as a confidential record, only being released following permission from the worker?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02.11 Health Monitoring for Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q85. If 'atmospheric monitoring' is required, is there a process that ensures atmospheric monitoring is conducted and the results are recorded in a register which is accessible to personnel in the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02.11 Health Monitoring for Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q86. Are procedures in place to allow implementation of the outcomes and recommendations stemming from monitoring (including resources)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02.11 Health Monitoring for Hazardous Chemicals.

14. PROHIBITION, AUTHORISATION AND RESTRICTED USE

• Q87. Prohibited carcinogens are NOT being used, handled or stored in the workplace (WHS Reg 380 and schedule 10, Table 10.1 column 2)?<br><br>If No answer Q 87, 88

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS Reg 380 Ref: HC: 01.05 Prohibited and Restricted Carcinogens and Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q88. If prohibited carcinogens are being used, handled or stored, it is only for genuine research and analysis purposes an authorisation has been obtained from Comcare?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS Regs 384.

• Q89. Are records of exposure produced, maintained and stored if any prohibited carcinogens are used or handled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: HC: 02-11 Health Monitoring for Hazardous Chemicals.

• Q90. Restricted carcinogens are NOT being used, handled or stored in the workplace?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS Reg 381, Schedule 10, Table 10.1 column 2. Ref: WHS 384. Ref: HC: 01.05 Prohibited and Restricted Carcinogens and HC.

• Q91. If any restricted carcinogens are being used, handled or stored have they been authorised by Comcare?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS 384. Ref: HC: 01.05 Prohibited and Restricted Carcinogens and HC.

• Q92. Are records of exposure produced, maintained and stored if any restricted carcinogens are used or handled?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ref: WHS 384. Ref: HC: 01.05 Prohibited and Restricted Carcinogens and HC.

• Q93. Restricted hazardous chemicals are not being used or handled or stored in the workplace (WHS Reg 382, Schedule 10, table 10.3, column 2)?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Select date

  Date

• Lead inspector

  Sign

• Is corrective action required?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is a separate corrective action report attached?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Unit Safety Advisor

  Sign

• Select date

  Date