The manifest of hazardous chemicals is also a key document in your worksite’s Emergency Plan. It contains essential information for emergency services when they attend your site during an incident. This post will help you determine if you need a chemical manifest – and if you do – how to prepare your chemical manifest so you can meet your WHS legal obligations.
IMPORTANT: If your workplace does not have an accurate, up-to-date manifest of hazardous chemicals in place, you could face heavy penalties under WHS law.
What is a Hazardous Chemical Manifest
A manifest of hazardous chemicals is a written summary that contains important information about your workplace and the hazardous substances that you have onsite.
Identifying and noting what HAZCHEM are onsite is essential for health and safety.
The manifest identifies significant chemical hazards and the quantities of dangerous goods that emergency services are likely to encounter when they attend your site during an emergency such as a spill, fire or explosion.
IMPORTANT: Don’t confuse a manifest of hazardous chemicals with a register of hazardous chemicals, as these are two separate documents. A hazardous chemicals register is required at all worksites that hold hazardous chemicals (regardless of the quantities). Your hazardous chemicals register must include a copy of the current safety data sheet (SDS) for each of the chemicals.
Does Your Workplace Need a Manifest Of Hazardous Chemicals?
You will need a Manifest of Hazardous Chemicals if your worksite exceeds the threshold quantities defined in the WHS Regulation (Schedule 11).
The Regulation displays threshold quantities for scores of different classes of chemicals including, but in no way limited to:
- Flammable gases
- Self-reactive substances
- Unstable explosives
- Substances with acute toxicity
- Organic peroxides
If you exceed the threshold of any of the hazard classes, you only need to notify the quantities of that chemical on your manifest.
For example: your workplace holds 3,000 litres of Flammable Gases (below threshold), 60 kg of organic peroxides (above threshold) and 400 litres of Flammable Liquids (below threshold) — your manifest will only indicate the organic peroxides.
The threshold quantities include chemicals being used, handled, stored, or manufactured at the worksite. Goods in transit are included in certain circumstances but you should check the ADG Code for the full details.
NOTE: If your site has more than 10,000 litres of hazardous chemicals, you will also need to notify the Regulator in your state or Territory. You can find the contact details of your local regulator by visiting the Safe Work Australia website.
Preparing a Dangerous Goods Manifest
Your manifest of hazardous chemicals must be prepared carefully so it is an accurate indication of the chemicals held at the worksite — it must also be updated as quantities change.
The manifest must include:
Business Information
- Name of the PCUB (person conducting the business or undertaking).
- Address of the workplace where the chemicals are stored.
- Date the manifest was prepared (or the last time it was updated).
Emergency Contact Details
- Emergency contact details of 2 people at the worksite, who can be contacted if there is a notifiable incident.
- Make sure there are business hours phone numbers as well as after hour phone numbers.
Quantities of Bulk Chemicals
- Name of the chemical and the quantities stored.
- Information about the tanks/containers including identifying numbers or codes, container types, capacity, diameter (in some cases).
Hazardous Chemical Information
- Chemical name (proper shipping name and UN code) and quantity held onsite.
- Hazard Class (including sub-classes of certain chemicals eg, flammable liquids).
- Product Identifier (for flammable liquids) next to the words ‘combustible liquid’
- Name of the chemical (for unstable chemicals like explosives) next to the words ‘goods too dangerous to be transported’
Quantities of Packaged and Manufacturing Chemicals
- Indicate the largest quantities of packaged chemicals or manufacturing chemicals likely to be held onsite.
Hazardous Chemicals in Transit
- Remember, any operations that fall under the umbrella of your workplace may have to be considered and included in the manifest. Refer to the ADG Code for further information that may apply to hazardous chemicals that are in transit for your organisation.
Site Plan
- A plan of the workplace drawn to scale with a legend for each item (and an indicator of true North).
- Location of chemicals (bulk, packaged containers and IBCs, chemicals being manufactured, chemicals in transit).
- Main entrance, exits, and access points; all drains; essential services (electrical mains, hydrants) the nature of adjoining sites.
- The location of the Manifest itself.
- Additional information: street names, environmental features (waterways, canals), fencing and site topography, satellite images with annotations.
REMEMBER: For more detailed information about your obligations in regard to your manifest of chemicals, you can refer to the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, Part 7.1 Hazardous Chemicals.
Installing the Manifest
One you have prepared your manifest you’ll need to decide on the best place to keep it.
Consider the following when installing your dangerous goods manifest in your workplace for emergency services to access:
- Chemical manifests should be stored in a sturdy document box in a definitive colour (like red).
- Make sure your document box is clearly labelled so that emergency services can quickly identify the location of your chemical manifest.
- Laminate key documents (eg, the site map) to ensure the longevity of the information.
- Do not include non-essential items (like SDSs) that can cause confusion and delay emergency services from responding to the incident. SDS should be stored within your register of hazardous chemicals, not your manifest.
- Consult with your official local emergency services (eg, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) to discuss the best location for installation.
- Educate staff about the manifest and ensure they understand how to keep it safe and secure.
- Make sure your dangerous goods manifest is repaired or replaced during/after weather damage to the site, renovations or construction, theft or vandalism.
IMPORTANT: The manifest must be updated if threshold quantities change, bulk or packaged containers stores are moved/transferred, or the overall layout of the worksite changes and an emergency response could be affected.
Risk Management for Hazardous Chemicals
Now that can have a better understanding of how to determine if you require a manifest - as well as how to prepare and maintain one - you can take the steps towards a safer and more compliant workplace. Keep in mind though, that creating a dangerous goods manifest is only one small step in complying with WHS legislation. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of how to control chemical hazards at your site, why not download a copy of our eBook How to manage the risk of Hazardous Chemicals. Our guide shows practical safety measures for businesses working with harmful chemicals, so you can reduce your risk. Grab your copy today.
