Hazardous chemicals

Hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods have the potential to affect the health of people in the workplace.

Chemicals are considered hazardous if they are listed on the national Hazardous Substances Information System and are above the concentration level which is harmful to human health. Hazardous chemicals can take the form of solids, liquids or gases.

Hazardous chemicals commonly found in the workplace include:

• sulphuric acid - used in car batteries
• sodium hypochlorite - used in household
• chlorine - used as a swimming pool sanitiser.

Dangerous goods are substances that have the potential to cause immediate harm to people, property and the environment due to their explosive, corrosive, toxic, oxidising or flammable nature.

Dangerous goods commonly found in the workplace include:

• fuel
• explosives - used in mining and construction
• farm pesticides.

If you store, handle or use Schedule 11 hazardous chemicals and they exceed the manifest quantities, then you are required to notify us in writing.

For schedule 11 notification requirements visit the hazardous chemicals notification page for further information.