The safety and environmental management aspects may pose organizations with various challenges and complexities, consequently, robust safety intervention and systematic implementation of controls is required to mitigate chemical incidents and their occupational and environmental impacts.

A combined taskforce has been setup, which includes WorkSafe Victoria, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the fire services to further investigate and remove the stockpiled chemicals at sites particularly in Epping and Campbellfield. To raise the standard of chemicals management in the workplace will require organizations to undertake robust due diligence risk assessments to ensure that all hazards and risks are well controlled, and the potential impacts mitigated. More importantly, businesses need to understand their obligations to the communities they work within.

The new legal framework under the EPA coming into effect from 1^st July, 2020 is a general environmental duty which requires the minimization of risks of harm to human health and the environment from pollution and waste. This means all businesses need to understand fully their legal obligations, assess their current management practices specific to the industry in which they are in, and with reference to the area of chemicals management, they are required to comply with all interrelated legal jurisdictions pertaining to permits, licenses and OHS laws.

So, does this mean, more costs for businesses to get their workplaces in order?

In 2017, the Global Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals came into effect in Australia.  The goal of the GHS is to ensure consistency in setting rules for classifying hazards, the content of labels and of Safety Data Sheets to be used around the world. Complimentary workplace reviews are required in implementing chemical safety processes and procedures. This would include:

• integrating chemical safety risks into existing emergency response plans;
• assessing all licenses and permits required to storage chemicals at site;
• conducting necessary training and awareness with employees in chemical usage and management; undertaking risk reviews on site hazards and sources,
• identifying associated risks
• implementing control measures required to be implemented and monitored over time.

So, it should not cost any more to ensure chemical management compliance in the workplace, it would be ‘business as usual’ with OHS and Environmental compliance. Where it does become costly is not the initial prevention and mitigation of these risks, it is in the cleanup following a significant spill or release.

For more information and registration for this area of HSW consulting training and other HSW support please contact us on 03 8662 5333 or hsw@victorianchamber.com.au to discuss your needs.

Supporting References: https://www.epa.vic.gov.au