Formulated products Suppliers should advise formulators of the hazards of – HF and appropriate recommend alternatives. Formulators of products of > 10% strength should be encouraged to themselves become signatories to the Code. Formulations of > 10% strength should not be sold to the general public. Formulations should not be designed to be atomised, sprayed or heated except under strictly controlled conditions, and the design of the pack should facilitate safe dispensing. Threaded valves are recommended for packs over 5 L. Labels should state the exact percentage of hydrofluoric acid. Education and training Signatories should provide their staff with – comprehensive training on all aspects of hydrofluoric acid, including precautions, legal requirements and the obligations of the Code. Records of training should be kept for 5 years. Reporting of incidents Signatories and other parties are encouraged to report – in writing to PACIA all incidents involving hydrofluoric acid and a sample incident report form is provided. This information is to be circulated to signatories. The organisation representing scientific suppliers, Science Industry Australia, is a signatory to the Code and encourages its members to abide by the principles as detailed in the Code. PACIA were asked to supply information for this assessment on the take-up of the Code of Practice and experience with various aspects. They were not able to provide any information, except that incident reports for HF had not been received. Two respondents to the HF survey reported that they voluntarily restricted the concentration of HF products they were prepared to sell and others would sell only dilute concentrations to purchasers they did not know. It was found to be difficult to do this without the support of regulatory controls, especially when it was known that competitors would supply the higher percentage. Other examples of product stewardship reported by survey respondents include: Inspection of customer premises; verbal and written advice on hazard; supply of first aid products or advice on obtaining them; supply of gloves to customers; laminated aid card provided; product delivered by hand; and consultations with technical staff available.
Formulated products – Suppliers should advise formulators of the hazards of HF and appropriate recommend alternatives. Formulators of products of > 10% strength should be encouraged to themselves become signatories to the Code. Formulations of > 10% strength should not be sold to the general public. Formulations should not be designed to be atomised, sprayed or heated except under strictly controlled conditions, and the design of the pack should facilitate safe dispensing. Threaded valves are recommended for packs over 5 L. Labels should state the exact percentage of hydrofluoric acid. Education and training – Signatories should provide their staff with comprehensive training on all aspects of hydrofluoric acid, including precautions, legal requirements and the obligations of the Code. Records of training should be kept for 5 years. Reporting of incidents – Signatories and other parties are encouraged to report in writing to PACIA all incidents involving hydrofluoric acid and a sample incident report form is provided. This information is to be circulated to signatories. The organisation representing scientific suppliers, Science Industry Australia, is a signatory to the Code and encourages its members to abide by the principles as detailed in the Code. PACIA were asked to supply information for this assessment on the take-up of the Code of Practice and experience with various aspects. They were not able to provide any information, except that incident reports for HF had not been received. Two respondents to the HF survey reported that they voluntarily restricted the concentration of HF products they were prepared to sell and others would sell only dilute concentrations to purchasers they did not know. It was found to be difficult to do this without the support of regulatory controls, especially when it was known that competitors would supply the higher percentage. Other examples of product stewardship reported by survey respondents include: Inspection of customer premises; verbal and written advice on hazard; supply of first aid products or advice on obtaining them; supply of gloves to customers; laminated aid card provided; product delivered by hand; and consultations with technical staff available.
PEC19-Hydrofluoric-acid-HF.docx