New Work Health and Safety Regulations: Are You Ready for the GHS?

The Globally Harmonised System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) becomes mandatory under the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 from 1 st of January 2017. The GHS was designed as a universal standard for labelling chemicals to identify requirements to allow for the safe transport and handling of substances and to improve knowledge of the health hazards from chemicals.

If you have hazardous chemicals in your workplace, you will need to:

  • Ensure safe systems of work are in place to manage the risks associated with hazardous and dangerous chemicals in the workplace
  • Regularly review your chemical inventory and dispose of chemicals which are out of date or are no longer used.
  • Talk to your chemical suppliers to check you will receive GHS labelled stock and up-to- date
  • safety data sheets.

It is okay to keep using, handling and storing hazardous chemicals labelled in accordance with a previous labelling code in your own workplace if the product was supplied to you before 1 January 2017.

If you have any concerns about chemical handling, storage, or labelling requirements under the GHS, Adelaide OHS Consultants is able to provide advice.

For more information about GHS requirements, feel free to contact our office on 8296 4405 for free advice.