IMS9.4.6.14 Hazardous Substances & Dangerous Goods Procedure

1.0   SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must be readily available for all hazardous substance or dangerous goods in the work area.

• All chemical purchases are to be authorised by the Supervisor (or delegated person) only.

• Hazardous chemicals are not to be used without the correct SDS.

• Staff are not to use hazardous chemicals if they haven’t read the SDS or so not fully understand the safety precautions required

• Personal Protective Equipment must be used as detailed in the relevant SDS and kept in good condition.

• Chemical spills must be immediately cleaned up as stated in the SDS applicable to that hazardous chemical.

• Report all hazardous chemical spills immediately to Supervisor or Master on vessel.

• Appropriate medical treatment for chemical exposures must be sought as soon as any symptoms become apparent.

2.0   SCOPE OF PROCEDURE

This procedure applies to all depots, staff, contractors and operational activities conducted by SeaLink employees.

Under the Work Health and Safety Act (2011), it is a legal requirement, that hazardous chemicals are handled according to details outlined in the relevant SDS.

By failing to abide by the requirements of the SDS, employees are contravening the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. As a result, both individuals and SeaLink can be prosecuted for failing to observe the Act or Regulations.

3.0   PROCEDURE

3.1   Supervisor’s Responsibility

1. It is the Supervisors responsibility to make sure that there access to the Hazardous Chemical Database (ChemWatch), of all hazardous chemicals in their work area.
2. Checks are to be conducted on a monthly basis using the database to determine if the SDS’ are current with the hazardous chemical manifest.
3. Before using any new hazardous chemical the Chemical Risk Assessment Database (ChemWatch) is to be reviewed to determine if the hazardous chemical is approved for use. If there is not a suitable chemical already in use then a risk assessment is to be undertaken. This can be done either by the supervisor of the area or the Support Services Section. Details of the risk assessment is to be entered in to the Chemical Risk Assessment Database.
4. Hazardous chemicals must not be used without an applicable SDS.
5. All hazardous chemicals held at the depot must have a current SDS. The SDS must be readily available to all staff who are likely to come into contact with the hazardous substance.
6. The Supervisor must ensure that the SDS is in an acceptable format. It must contain the following:
   1. Page of x of Total y.
   2. Date of Issue (SDS must not be more than five (5) years old).
   3. Statement of Hazardous Nature according to the criteria of
   4. Company Details
   5. Identification
   6. Physical Description / Properties
   7. Other Properties
   8. Ingredients
   9. Health Hazard Information
   10. First Aid
   11. Advice to Doctor
   12. Precautions for Use
   13. Safe Handling Information
7. Supervisors must ensure that the information stated in the SDS for hazardous chemicals is communicated to all the staff that use the chemical and the requirements of the SDS are adhered to..
8. All chemicals must be stored as detailed in the appropriate SDS.
9. Supervisors must issue and ensure personnel have been appropriately trained/instructed in the use of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), whilst handling the chemicals as detailed in the relevant SDS.
10. Chemical spills must be immediately cleaned up using the method stated in the SDS. Where appropriate the Supervisor must notify the emergency services or other authorities as detailed in the SDS. If necessary the workplace must be evacuated.
11. Empty chemical containers, or unused chemicals must be disposed of as detailed in the relevant SDS.
12. Supervisors must ensure that the appropriate treatment for hazardous substance exposures is available.

3.2   Employees Responsibility

1. Employees must make sure that they understand the appropriate SDS before using any chemicals. If you are unsure ask your Supervisor. If you do not know how to handle a chemical correctly, you must not touch it.
2. Personal Protective Equipment supplied by the company must be used by the employee in the appropriate manner for which it was intended.
3. All Personal Protective Equipment supplied by the company must be well maintained. Damaged or faulty PPE must be reported to your Supervisor immediately and replaced.
4. Hazardous chemical spills must be immediately cleaned up as stated in the relevant SDS and reported as soon as practicable to your Supervisor.
5. Contaminated clothing must be treated as detailed in the relevant SDS.
6. Any hazardous chemical exposure to employees must be reported as soon as they become apparent and appropriate medical treatment sought immediately.

3.3   SDS Availability

1.  Each SDS can be accessed through the online platform ChemWatch
2. The SDS are to be arranged in manifests for each vessel and location:
3. Each SDS file is to contain an index of the contents of the file.
4. Each individual SDS is to contain a reference to its allocated code in the Hazardous Substance Database
5. Consideration is to be given to the storage location of the hazardous chemicals. If the distance from the Master File to the hazardous chemical storage location may cause delay in the individual receiving the correct and timely treatment for the hazardous chemical exposure then a copy of the relevant SDS must be placed at the storage location.