Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 42229–45118

will require control measures, including the use of protective clothing and gloves and that the chemical must be kept away from incompatible materials. Without such an assessment, skin irritation
  or intoxication by toxic gas when handling the cleaning agent could have occurred.
  b)      In a generic assessment, an assessment is made of a particular workplace, area, job or task and the assessment is then applied to similar work activities that involve the use of the chemical being assessed.
  For example, a business or industry association might do a generic assessment for a number of workplaces that use, handle, generate or store identical chemicals (such as service stations or dry cleaners). When conducting a generic assessment, it is important that the workplace, tasks and hazardous chemicals being assessed are identical in characteristics, properties, potential hazards and risks. Generic assessments are not appropriate for very high risk chemicals such as carcinogens.
  c)      A detailed assessment may be needed when there is a significant risk to health and for very high risk chemicals such as carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants or sensitisation agents in the case of health hazards. Information on the label and SDS will allow you to determine whether the chemical has these hazards. Schedule 10 of the WHS Regulations provides further information on the hazardous chemicals that are restricted or prohibited for use (see Appendix C of this Code). A more detailed assessment may also be required when there is uncertainty as to the risk of exposure or health.
In order to complete a detailed assessment, further information may be sought and decisions taken to:
    * eliminate the uncertainty of any risks
    * select appropriate control measures
    * ensure that control measures are properly used and maintained, and
    * determine if air monitoring or health monitoring are required.
It may be necessary to engage external professional assistance to undertake a more detailed assessment.

Structuring risk assessments
Risk assessments can be simplified by evaluating the nature of the work in smaller, more manageable parts. You do not need to do a risk assessment covering each work activity in the whole workplace. Instead, evaluate the nature of the work by:
    * Dividing up the workplace - If it is not practicable for the workplace to be assessed as a whole, divide it into smaller units (locations/areas or processes) to make risk assessment more manageable. Walking through the workplace and looking at floor plans or process plans will help you decide how to divide up the workplace.
    * Grouping similar work - Workers performing similar work or using similar substances
      may be grouped together if it has been established that their exposures are representative
      of their group. These are referred to as similarly exposed