Symmetrical Group

Policies and Procedures

OHS&E\SAFETY PROCEDURES

SG-PR-33-07 Chemicals & Hazardous Substances

• Introduction

In this section the word “Hazardous Substance” refers to any chemical or material that has hazardous/toxic characteristics or properties (i.e. Chemicals, Asbestos, Solvents, Benzene, Acids and Alkalis)..

Exposure and/or environmental control measures must be evaluated and implemented.  Control measures are introduced in the following hierarchy or order of preference:

• Elimination of the need for the hazardous substance.
• Substitution with a less hazardous substance.
• Engineering measures, such as enclosure and/or ventilation.
• Administrative measures, such as restricting access/exposure by job rotation.
• Use of personal protective equipment.
• Purchasing And Usage Control

No hazardous substance shall be introduced to the workplace unless:.

• it has been approved for use, by the Directors of Symmetrical Group
• its use, presence or production is essential, and there is no alternative product or process available,
• applicable National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessments Scheme requirements are met,
• an approved Material Safety Data Sheet is available to those who will be handling or using the substance,
• all statutory and company requirements can be met for:
• Packaging,
• Labelling,
• Storage,
• Transport,
• Emergency procedures,
• Waste disposal and environment protection.
• General Safety Rules For Hazardous Substances
• Safety Showers

Safety showers and eyewash stations are identified by green fluorescent light.  Familiarise yourself with the location and operation of these showers in your own work area.  If contamination occurs, irrigate the eyes and/or wash the contaminated area for at least 20 minutes under the shower.  Remove contaminated clothing in the shower.

• General Safety Rules

Hazardous substances shall be handled only by personnel properly trained in its use and protected by appropriate personal protective equipment.

MSDS and Job Safety Analysis shall be used to identify all potential risks. Note:  All spills must be reported, cleaned up and or neutralised.

• Breaking Into Hazardous Substance Pipelines

1.4.1.  Before starting work, the Work Permit Authoriser  must ensure that all persons who are to work on the pipeline, and associated equipment or vessels  have:

• Received instruction on the chemical properties of the hazardous substance concerned,
• Received instruction/training on the required PPE,
• Received instruction/training on relevant safe work practices and precautions to be taken,
• Obtained a Work Permit , and Special Permit if required,
• Dressed in the required PPE, or have the required PPE at hand, as appropriate.

1.4.2.  The Work Permit must include the precautions to be taken  e.g.

• Location and testing of safety shower,
• Arranging to have running water available,
• Barricade  area or posting a guard,
• Placement of warning signs,
• Appropriate PPE CLASS (1, 2, 3).

1.4.3.  When opening any pipeline by breaking a flange, the following precautions are to be taken:

• Work up-wind of the flange to be broken.
• Slacken the bolts on the far side of the joint first.
• Break the flange away from your body.
• Beware of a sudden release of fluid when and after the flange has been broken.
• Beware of flammable gas that may be released.
• Contain or collect any residual fluid and return it to the process.
• Clean away any spillage immediately.
• Wash and clean any tools and equipment used.
• Leave the job in a safe condition.
• Decontamination Of Equipment

Many items of equipment such as pipes, valves and pumps are in contact with hazardous substances whilst in service.  When these items need to be taken out of service for transportation and/or repair off site or on site, they must be decontaminated so that persons involved in the transportation or repair can handle them safely.  This applies also to hire equipment that has been in contact with any hazardous substance.

Forms Relevant to this Procedure

F-S-04_Request for New or Alternate Chemical or Material

F-S-22-Hazardous_Substance_Register

Date published: 25/07/2013

* -25/07/2013 12:27:06 PM