Comcare - Australian Goverment
Comcare - Australian Goverment
Putting you first at the centre of what we do. Keeping you healthy and safe at work. Supporting you when you are harmed at work. Ensuring your scheme works and is sustainable.

FAQs on hazardous substances

What does a hazardous substance look like?

A hazardous substance can be a solid, liquid or a gas. It can be a pure substance (one ingredient) or a mixture of substances and it can harm the health of people exposed to the substance.

What is the definition of a hazardous substance?

Regulation 6.03 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 defines a hazardous substance as a substance that:

  • is described in the Hazardous Substances Information System, as in force on 10 March 2005;
  • has been determined to be a hazardous substance by its manufacturer in writing and in accordance with the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008 (2004) 3rd edition]; and
  • has been listed in Schedules 1A, 1 or 2 of the Safety Standards Regulations.

The definition takes into account the inherent properties of a substance and the effect it would have on a person's health if there was exposure. For further information refer to:

Do hazardous substances have specific labelling requirements?

Each container that holds a hazardous substance must be labelled in accordance with regulation 6.07 of the Safety Standards Regulations. This will clearly indicate that the chemical is a hazardous substance.

Do I need Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hazardous substances?

Yes, each chemical product is required to have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which must also indicate whether the chemical is a hazardous substance. A MSDS provides the necessary information for you to understand and deal with the potential risks associated with a particular substance.

What if I am not sure if a chemical is a hazardous substance?

An unknown substance should be treated as a hazardous substance until it is proven not to be hazardous. If you encounter an unknown and unlabeled chemical or substance you should notify your manager. The employer is required to identify the substance and obtain appropriate safety information for the substance or safely dispose of the unknown substance.

What should I do when I encounter a hazardous substance?

Read the MSDS carefully before you use any hazardous substance for the first time or any time you are unsure about the risks or necessary precautions. The MSDS can help you to reduce the risks (but not the underlying hazard) associated with the materials in your workplace. Although it is the responsibility of the supplier of the chemical to provide an MSDS, the employer is responsible for ensuring there is an up-to-date MSDS for every hazardous substance at the workplace and that the MSDS is readily accessible to each employee who could be exposed to the hazardous substance.