Health & Safety, File # 125212 iStockphoto © Mark Ballantyne Date reformatted: 15 May 2013

Chemical Hazards in the Curriculum

Activity Scope**Due to the complex nature of chemical activities, additional sections can be completed on this word document and uploaded to OneSchool as an attachment.

This document provides a risk management process for activities that involve student use of hazardous chemicals in the curriculum. Hazardous chemicals may be used in a range of curriculum areas including but not limited to: Agricultural Studies: chemicals which are used in horticulture and animal

husbandry, veterinary products, fertilisers, scheduled poisons, and a range of other industrial hazardous chemicals.

Art: which includes reactants and waste generated from art processes (e.g. paints, glues, acids and kiln fumes) Home Economics: chemicals including LPG, detergents, cleaning agents, sterilising agents and propellants. HPE: activities that may use solvents, disinfectants, cleaning agents and compressed gases. Industrial Technology and Design (ITD): solvents, welding fumes, paints, primers, adhesives and MDF dust. Marine and Outdoor Education: including the use of reagents, fuels, lubricants and compressed gases. Science: including laboratory reagents and biological materials, gases, reaction materials and waste products.

All processes involving the use of designated hazardous chemicals in the curriculum require risk assessment and must comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld). The use of non-hazardous chemicals which pose no exposure risk may be assessed as part of the normal planning process.

This activity risk assessment template is a guideline and can be used to manage the: use, preparation, decanting, mixing and application of chemicals generation of hazardous substances and materials during curriculum activities including reactants, chemical waste

products, dust and fumes, and clean-up of apparatus, equipment, plant and machinery used during chemical processes.

Chemical users should consider the following questions as a starting point when using chemicals in the curriculum: Which students will be involved? Where will the students be? What will the students be doing? Who will be leading the activity? What will the students be using? What is the level of chemical exposure?

The risk assessment of chemical activities is dependent on the physical risks (e.g. toxicity) and health risk (injury and illness) associated with a chemical. Because these risks for a chemical are clearly defined in a safety data sheet, a chemical assessment results in a risk conclusion rather than a risk level, as is determined in non-chemical activities.

The result of this process means that there can only be an indicative relationship between the CARA risk levels of low, medium, high or extreme risk conclusions 1 to 4.

Com

paris

on Chemical Risk Assessment Conclusion 1 2 3 4

CARA Risk Level Low-Medium Medium-High Extreme DO NOT PROCEED

For further information about completing risk assessments for school curriculum activities, refer to the Managing Risks in School Curriculum Activities procedure. For information on chemical risk management, refer to the guideline for Managing Risks with Chemicals in Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) Workplaces.

This risk assessment may be used in conjunction with other supporting documentation (e.g. the safety data sheet for the designated chemical/chemical concentration, experimental instructions and standard operating procedures). As such, it is not a requirement to complete all fields. All documents referred to must be referenced in the relevant field and attached before submission for approval.

Once your chemical curriculum risk assessment has been completed, print up to and including section F, attach any relevant documentation, sign and submit it to the appropriate officer for approval as per Section D.

Health & Safety, File # 125212 iStockphoto © Mark Ballantyne Date reformatted: 15 May 2013

Note: Use this Chemical Use Risk Assessment for curriculum activities which involve the use of hazardous chemicals. You must adhere to all Safety Data Sheet recommendations, any identified control measures and operating procedures listed. The use of this template for the risk management of non-hazardous chemical usage is optional.

A Activity descriptionComplete each section below. If you attach related documentation, please enter “see attachment #” and number your attachments accordingly. All activities must take place in the presence of a registered teacher with appropriate demonstrated ability. This teacher is required to take overall responsibility for the activity.

Activity Description:       School risk assessment reference

     

Location of Activity:       Start Date:      (dd/mm/yyyy)

Finish Date:      (dd/mm/yyyy)

Teachers/Leaders:      

A current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) less than 5 years old is available for the substance(s) and has been reviewed. All actions indicated by the SDS for the control of hazards and risks associated with the substance will be complied with:

Yes No – do not proceed until you have reviewed the SDS and implemented the specified risk control measuresMinimum Teacher/Leader Qualifications: The qualifications listed in this section are minimums for each type of situation. Leaders are encouraged to seek training to raise their qualification level above the minimum listed. Teachers and activity leaders must have a demonstrated competency relevant to the curriculum area and the hazardous chemicals to be used. Personnel may demonstrate their competency to conduct this chemical activity through one or more of the following:

Specific knowledge of this activity and any associated hazards and risks

Experience (i.e. previous involvement and familiarity) in undertaking this activity

Demonstrated ability and/or expertise to undertake this activity

Possession of documented qualifications and expertise related to this activity

Number of students (approx):       Supervision ratio:       Supervision type: General Group Individual

Related Documentation (e.g. Safety Data Sheets, Safe Operating Procedures, Experiment Instructions, Chemical or Equipment Risk Assessments):      

Risk Assessment prepared by (Name):       Position:       Date:      (dd/mm/yyyy)

Is the product (stock, decanted or diluted) labelled in accordance with YES No – do not proceed until a suitable labelling has been

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Chemical Hazards in the Curriculum

regulations and is the labelling securely attached? securely attached to the container

Chemical Hazard Identification List the chemicals that will be used in the activity. Identify the volumes and concentrations that will be used. Record any key hazard information from the appropriate product safety data sheet. If you have existing risk assessment documentation for the concentration being used, complete columns 1 to 4 and enter ‘see attached risk assessment’ in column 5. Go to section B. If you do not have a prepared chemical risk assessment for the concentration listed, complete columns 1-6.

Substances to be used (List ALL substances, expected products and waste products)

1. Name of substances used 2.

Con

cent

ratio

n re

quire

d

3. Is

the

conc

entra

tion

haza

rdou

s?*

4.

App

roxi

mat

eQ

uant

ity

(e.g

. 500

mL)

5. Hazards from safety data sheet (i.e. flammable, corrosive, irritant.

Include reaction products/waste generated)

6. Exposure Route

No

risk

of

Eye

s

Ski

n

Inha

latio

n

Inge

stio

n

Inje

ctio

n

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

            Y/N            

Waste disposal method:      

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B Exposure HazardsDetermine the level of exposure to the chemical. People exposed to the hazards associated with the chemical must be consulted and advised of the risk management process. Consider the level of exposure during storage, handling, use and disposal processes. Refer to the Safety Data Sheet for chemical information. If you have attached an existing chemical risk assessment, go to B2.

B1 Did you identify any routes of entry as an exposure risk in section A? No, there are no exposure risks – go to C YES, there are exposure risks (indicate below)

     

B2 Who is exposed to the chemical/process?

Technical staff Teaching staff Cleaning staff Emergency personnel

Visitors Volunteers Students      

What is the duration of the exposure for the activity (how long will it take)?      

What is the frequency of exposure for the activity (how many times will you do the activity or use the chemical)?      

Have any health problems been reported as a result of previous usage or storage? No YES. Details:      

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C Chemical Activity Safety Control Measures (refer to guidance notes A and B)

What plant and equipment will be used in this activity in addition to the identified chemicals? (attach an existing protocol or equipment/apparatus lists)      

Hazard/risk ControlsPhysical Chemical Hazards      

     

Environmental hazards      

     

Students Instructions      

     

Equipment Materials      

     

Safety Management First aid Spills/Contamination Fire Supervision      

     

Is personal protective equipment required as described in the SDS?

Gloves Type:       Hearing protection Type:      

Protective clothing Type:       Respiratory protection Type:      

Eye Protection Type:       Hygiene control Type:      

Face protection Type:       Other:       Type:      

Is it necessary to provide ventilation (general, mechanical or cross ventilation) when undertaking this activity?

No

YES Type:      

Other:      

D Risk Assessment Conclusions (refer to guidance note C)

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Overall Risk Level Conclusion Action Required/Approval

Conclusion

1Risks are not significant now, and not likely to increase in the future (i.e. risks are low)

Comply with all requirements of the label and current SDS. Comply with the standard operating procedure for the substance(s). Manage and document through your regular planning processes and/or person(s) using

the chemicals should approve and sign the risk assessment.

Select 1 if you are using a concentration less than which is considered hazardous, or no precautions are required and it is unlikely that the use of the chemical(s) will adversely affect the health of persons at the workplace and the risk is not likely to increase in the future, e.g. you are using concentrations that are too small to constitute a risk, even if controls fail, or the operation strictly conforms to the information on the label and in the SDS.

Conclusion

2Risks are significant but effectively controlled, and could increase in the future (i.e. medium to high risk)

Comply with all requirements of the label and current SDS. Comply with the standard operating procedure for the substance(s). Implement the identified controls to minimise the chances of higher exposure

occurring. Determine and implement additional measures for regaining control if a high risk

event occurs despite the precautions already taken. Parental consent may be required.

Document controls in planning documents and/or complete this Chemical Use Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment.

The Principal or delegated head of program (i.e. DP, HOD, HOSES) to review and approve the risk assessment.

Select 2 if you are satisfied that adequate controls are in place. Select where serious health effects could result if the control measures fail or deteriorate. This usually results from the use of toxic hazardous chemicals or where the potential exposure is high. Risks, while presently adequately controlled, could increase in the future.

Conclusion

3Risks significant now and not effectively controlled (extreme risk)

The activity must not proceed. Alternatives to undertaking the activity must be found. Obtain additional information or expert advice to reach a conclusion of 1 or 2. Comply with all requirements of the current SDS. Comply with the standard operating procedure for the substance(s). Implement sufficient controls to ensure the safe use of the material. The Principal is required to review and approve the revised risk assessment prior to

conducting this activity.

Select 3 if the use of a chemical is likely to constitute a significant risk and further investigation may be necessary before proceeding (e.g. there have been persistent or widespread complaints of illness, discomfort, irritation or excessive odour, hazardous chemicals may be splashed, control measures are broken, defective or badly maintained, for example, a poorly maintained extraction system which no longer draws a hazardous chemical away from the work area).

Conclusion

4Uncertain about risksThere is not enough information, or there is uncertainty about degree or extent of exposure. DO NOT PROCEED.

The activity must not proceed. Alternatives to undertaking the activity must be found. Obtain additional information or expert advice to reach a conclusion of 1 or 2. In the meanwhile, implement work practices to ensure safety.

Select 4 if no SDS is available, if labelling is inadequate, if the level of exposure cannot be estimated with confidence or further investigation is necessary. Obtain additional information from other sources, such as suppliers, occupational health and safety consultants and industry or trade associations.

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Useful activity-specific links

Chemical Hazards Guidance Noteshttp://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/carmg/doc/guidance-notes.doc

Code of Practice - Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice 2003http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/resources/pdfs/hazardous-chemicals-cop-2003.pdf

Code of Practice – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks 2011http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Documents/633/How_to_Manage_Work_Health_and_Safety_Risks.pdf

Code of Practice - Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals 2011 – Code of Practice 2011http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/resources/pdfs/labelling-workplace-hazardous-chemicals-cop-2011.pdf

Code of Practice - Managing risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – Code of Practicehttp://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/697/Managing%20Risks%20of%20Hazardous%20Chemicals.pdf

Creating Healthier Workplaces website: Health and Safety Risk Management|http://education.qld.gov.au/health/safety/managing/risk.html

Electrical Safetyhttp://education.qld.gov.au/health/safety/hazards/electrical.html

Safe Work Australia – Safety Data Sheets (SDS)http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/whs-information/hazardous-chemicals/sds/pages/sds

Safety and Hazard Alertshttp://education.qld.gov.au/health/safety/alerts.html

Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld)http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/W/WorkHSA11.pdf

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONFor further support with risk management training and advice:

1. Contact trained staff such as your: Workplace Health and Safety Officer (WHSO) Workplace Health and Safety Representative (WHSR) Regional Senior Health and Safety Consultant

http://education.qld.gov.au/health/contacts/hscontacts.html

2. Visit the Risk Management page on the Creating Healthier Workplaces website http://education.qld.gov.au/health/safety/managing/risk.html

Disclaimer:This document is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this document or information in this document by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this document or any information in this document are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this document or the information in this document to a user’s particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this document or any information in this document.

Links in this document to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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