Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 29852–33722

on the hazard.  Some key properties to note include:
                                                          * physical state: is it solid, liquid or gas?
                                                        -          if solid – what is the potential for dust explosion?
                                                        -          if liquid – is it mobile/viscous/volatile/miscible?
                                                        -          if gas (and vapours) – is it lighter/heavier than air?
                                                          * flashpoint, fire point and explosive limits
                                                          * viscosity
                                                          * density
                                                          * particle size
                                                          * vapour pressure
                                                          * solubility and pH
                                                          * reactivity
                                                          * boiling and/or freezing point or range
                                                          * electrical and/or heat conductivity
                                                          * the nature and concentration of combustion products.
Use situations that may generate hazardous chemicals  Examples may include:
                                                          * use of welding rods which may liberate hazardous fumes and vapours
                                                          * directions for use of chlorine bleach, warning that harmful levels of chlorine gas may be generated if the substance is mixed with incompatible chemicals
                                                          * warnings that some metals, including alkali metals, in contact with water or acids, liberate flammable gas
                                                          * information on by-products or breakdown products like formation of explosive peroxides in ether
Environmental hazards                                 The SDS should contain information on environmental hazards and risks. An awareness of this information will assist you to meet any environmental laws in your state or territory.

Chemicals which are generally for domestic use and considered safe in the home may present greater risks in the workplace depending on the manner and quantities in which they are used. This is particularly relevant, for example, where domestic cleaning chemicals are purchased from
a supermarket and used in a workplace environment. You should always follow label directions.  However, if you are using a domestic chemical in a manner different to normal household use, you should also obtain the SDS in order to determine the level of risks to workers and the appropriate controls. The SDS should contain more detailed information on hazards and risks, for example on incompatibilities with other chemicals and risks from use in enclosed areas.

Providing access to SDS in the workplace
Regulation 344: A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure the current SDS is readily accessible to workers who use the hazardous chemical at the workplace and an emergency service worker, or anyone else, who is likely to be exposed to the hazardous chemical
The SDS should be kept in a location near the work area where the substance is used. You must ensure that all workers likely to be exposed to the hazardous chemical know how to find the SDS.  In some cases it may be practicable to provide workers with access to SDS via an electronic database, for example in universities where potentially thousands of chemicals may be used, stored or handled at the site. However, the electronic database should be readily available