All lab users are under legal
obligation to report all pollution
incidents to the authorities.
You can log a hazard/incident report
through H2O Online Environmental
and OHS reporting system available
through MyUNSW. In case of
emergency call security at x56666.
Report all pollution incidences or hazards
To ensure compliance with environmental laws
and the “Sydney Water Waste Trade
Agreement,” UNSW has this policy which is
applicable to all laboratories on campus.
YES bleach is a chemical.
No chemicals down the drain
Pollution of any waters is a Tier 2
offence under the Protection of the
Environment Operations Act.
To avoid spills, and discharge to
waterways, all floor drains in the
laboratory area should be covered.
Cover all floor drains
Willful or negligent disposal of any
waste in a manner that harms or is
likely to harm the environment is a
Tier 1 offence.
All hazardous chemical waste must be
disposed of according to the UNSW
hazardous waste procedures.
Always dispose according to the UNSW hazardous waste procedures.
It is mandatory under the NSW
Waste Avoidance and Resource
Recovery Act 2001 (fines of up to
$22,000 for individuals and $44,000
for cooperation for not complying),
to put in place procedures for
reducing hazardous waste
production.
Reduce hazardous waste production
Minimising waste and maximising resource recovery opportunities are
critical elements of UNSW’s sustainability strategy.
UNSW recycles and re-uses a wide range of materials. This is how UNSW
deals with recyclable waste and reuse opportunities.
Visit http://www.sustainability.unsw.edu.au/recycling/ for more
information.
Under the Protection of the Environment
Operations Act Section 126, air pollution is a
Tier 2 offence.
To avoid penalties under this act, laboratory
managers must make sure that:
• all laboratory contaminants emitted to the
outside atmosphere (through stacks, vents
and exhausts) are not harmful to the
environment
• all the relevant documents and permits are
maintained
Avoid emitting contaminants to the atmosphere
• Put controls in place to minimise or eliminate the risk
• Check effectiveness of control measures
• Get updated with new standards
• Consequences of the risk identified
• Likelihood of the risk to happen
• e.g. hazardous chemicals, spills, uncompatible chem storage
Identifying hazards
Assessing risks
Applying controls
Monitoring & review
A comprehensive risk assessment based on the identification of hazard and risk to the environment should be completed before initiating any work on Dangerous Goods.
Click here for more information….
In the case of a spill or accidental
discharge of hazardous chemicals,
risk identification, assessment and
elimination can prove critical for
avoiding liabilities under the
Protection of the Environment
Operations Act.
Risk assessments can prove compliance and help avoid liabilities
All laboratory personnel and students must have access to and
must use supplier provided MSDS’s for information on chemical
use and in case of emergency.
Know where to find and how to use the MSDS
It must contain:
• Product name (both chemical and common)
• Risk and Safety phrases
• Date
• Contact details for supplier
• Emergency information (at a glance)
• Hazard warning word/dangerous goods class and symbol (e.g. Flammable)
All labels must meet minimum standards
All UNSW laboratories should have an up-dated Chemicals Register, with details of stored chemicals.
Access it’s template from this link.
A centralized system for tracking and record keeping of all chemicals ordered and used in schools is more efficient for resource recovery and hazardous waste reduction.
Always update your chemicals register