Guidance Sheet 4: Chemical Spill Management provision of drip trays chemicals are The purpose of this or purpose built decanted Guidance sheet is to provide chemical storage information on how to safely and how spills cupboards/cabinets prevent chemical spills are cleaned up with inbuilt spill and/or manage and respond ensuring employees, retention; and to spills in the event that students, volunteer they do occur. storage of chemicals in workers or contractors their respective have appropriate Appropriate spill Dangerous Goods training in safe containment procedures and Classes taking into chemical equipment must be account handling/SWP. implemented to control or incompatibilities within reduce the risk from any spill a class. Refer to for Spill Management or leak of any chemical in more detailed your workplace. Be prepared to respond to a information. spill by: All spills should be cleaned Ensuring appropriate up immediately. The cause chemical spill equipment and of the spill should be response kit readily procedures are in place investigated and appropriate available for decanting chemicals. measures implemented to keeping the spill kit This may include: prevent any recurrence. fully stocked and provision of regularly maintained automated Spill Prevention dispensing units predetermining spill Spills can be prevented in procedures and provision of the workplace by: training relevant appropriate Ensuring appropriate employees accordingly equipment for chemical containers are decanting chemicals ensuring appropriate used with seals that are in (i.e. easy pour PPE is provided and good condition (i.e. glass funnels, trays, used containers for corrosive containers etc.) knowing the location chemicals). It is prohibited provision of Personal and proper use of to use drink or food Protective Equipment clean-up material containers (new or (PPE) such as knowing how to turn discarded) to store gloves, goggles, equipment and energy chemicals. coats/aprons etc., sources off (i.e. air Ensuring all chemicals and conditioning, gas, are stored appropriately. development of local electricity etc.) This may include: Safe Work maintaining and provision of locked Procedures (SWP) or reviewing the relevant cupboards and storage instructions on how Safety Data Sheets areas;
Guidance Sheet 4: Chemical Spill Management The purpose of this Guidance sheet is to provide information on how to prevent chemical spills and/or manage and respond to spills in the event that they do occur. Appropriate spill containment procedures and equipment must be implemented to control or reduce the risk from any spill or leak of any chemical in your workplace. All spills should be cleaned up immediately. The cause of the spill should be investigated and appropriate measures implemented to prevent any recurrence. Spill Prevention Spills can be prevented in the workplace by: Ensuring appropriate chemical containers are used with seals that are in good condition (i.e. glass containers for corrosive chemicals). It is prohibited to use drink or food containers (new or discarded) to store chemicals. Ensuring all chemicals are stored appropriately. This may include: provision of locked cupboards and storage areas; provision of drip trays or purpose built chemical storage cupboards/cabinets with inbuilt spill retention; and storage of chemicals in their respective Dangerous Goods Classes taking into account incompatibilities within a class. Refer to for more detailed information. Ensuring appropriate equipment and procedures are in place for decanting chemicals. This may include: provision of automated dispensing units provision of appropriate equipment for decanting chemicals (i.e. easy pour funnels, trays, containers etc.) provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, coats/aprons etc., and development of local Safe Work Procedures (SWP) or instructions on how chemicals are decanted safely and how spills are cleaned up ensuring employees, students, volunteer workers or contractors have appropriate training in safe chemical handling/SWP. Spill Management Be prepared to respond to a spill by: chemical spill response kit readily available keeping the spill kit fully stocked and regularly maintained predetermining spill procedures and training relevant employees accordingly ensuring appropriate PPE is provided and used knowing the location and proper use of clean-up material knowing how to turn equipment and energy sources off (i.e. air conditioning, gas, electricity etc.) maintaining and reviewing the relevant Safety Data Sheets
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