Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p19
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 50122–52942

with the Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work.

The physical form and concentration
Some substances may be virtually harmless in some forms (such as a block of metal, a piece
of wood or granulated solid chemicals) but may be very hazardous in another form (such as fine dust particles or fume that can be readily inhaled or solutions that may be splashed and readily absorbed through skin). This is also an important consideration in assessing risks from physicochemical hazards.
The concentration of hazardous ingredients is also an important factor in the overall risk.  Concentrates or pure substances may be extremely hazardous, while dilute solutions of the same chemical may not be hazardous at all.

The chemical and physical properties of the substance
Gases or liquids with low boiling points or high vapour pressures can give rise to high airborne concentrations in most circumstances, whereas high boiling point liquids such as oils are only likely to create a hazardous airborne concentration if they are heated or sprayed. Chemicals with a very low or high pH (for instance, acids and caustics respectively) are corrosive to the skin and eyes.
Some substances give off distinctive odours which can alert workers to the presence of a hazardous chemical.  For example, hydrogen cyanide has a smell of bitter almonds. However, not everyone can smell hydrogen cyanide and higher concentrations of hydrogen cyanide can also overload nasal receptors resulting in workers being unable to detect it. Hazardous chemicals can also have no odour. Thus, odour should not be relied on as a means of detecting the presence
of hazardous chemical.
The chemical and physical properties are also important in assessing risks from physicochemical hazards, described later in this chapter.

Determining who could be exposed, and when this could occur
Workers can come in contact with a hazardous chemical and any waste, intermediate or product generated from the use of the substance if they:
    * work with it directly
    * are in the vicinity of where it is used or likely to be generated
    * enter an enclosed space where it might be present
    * disturb deposits of the substance on surfaces (for example, during cleaning) and make them airborne
    * come into contact with contaminated surfaces.
You should consider all people at the workplace, including those who may not be directly involved in using, handling, storing or generating a hazardous chemical, such as:
    * ancillary or support/services workers (be aware that cleaners, maintenance and laboratory staff are often exposed to both the hazardous chemicals they use in the course of their work, such as cleaning products, and the hazardous chemicals used in the workplace by other workers)
    * contractors
    * visitors