Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p14
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 36818–39789

not known, this should be clearly marked on the container,
for example, 'Caution - do not use: unknown substance'. Such a container should be stored in isolation until its contents can be identified and, if it is then found to be hazardous, the container
is appropriately labelled. If the contents cannot be identified, they should be disposed of in accordance with relevant local waste management requirements.

2.4 Other sources of information
Additional information regarding hazards and risks associated with the use, handling, generation and storage of hazardous chemicals can be obtained from the following sources:
    * incident records
    * previous risk assessments
    * Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail
    * European Chemical Substances Information System (ESIS)
    * The Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP)
    * National Industrial Chemical Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS)
    * regulatory authorities
    * trade unions and employer associations
    * work health and safety consultants
    * internet searches of authoritative websites, such as those of international work health
      and safety agencies like the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or the European Commission Joint Research Centre's Institute for Health and Consumer Protection.

3. ASSESSING RISKS

A risk assessment is not mandatory for hazardous chemicals under the WHS Regulations, though it is required for specific situations, for example when working with asbestos. However, in many circumstances it will be the best way to determine the measures that should be implemented to control risks. It will help to:
    * identify which workers are at risk of exposure
    * determine what sources and processes are causing that risk
    * identify if and what kind of control measures should be implemented
    * check the effectiveness of existing control measures.
Where the hazards and associated risks are well-known and have well established and accepted control measures, it may not be necessary to undertake a risk assessment, for example, where there are a small number of chemicals in a workplace and the hazards and risks are well understood.
Your risk assessment should also consider foreseeable failures of plant and equipment, as well as any control measures, for example:
    * A power failure may impact on the operation of a mechanical ventilation system at the workplace.
    * Accidental spills have the potential to corrode or impact on nearby plant or equipment.
Documenting risk assessments is not mandatory, but may help when reviewing where improvements can be made and risks controlled more effectively.
Appendix F and Appendix G provide an overview and checklist of the risk assessment process.

3.1 Decide who should do the assessment
Assessments are based on a thorough understanding of what happens, or might happen, in the workplace and should be carried