Chemical Spill Response Procedure

Suits workshops, stores, depots, farms, cleaning, laboratory and hospitality workplaces that use or store hazardous chemicals. It gives workers a clear first-minutes response and managers the duties behind it, built on the hazardous chemicals rules in Part 7.1 of the Regulation.

What Is Included In Our Chemical Spill Response Procedure?

• Policy statement with an approval sign-off
• Minor spill and major spill working terms, with no volumes
• Spill containment and emergency equipment duties (WHS Regulation ss 357 and 360)
• Read the SDS, stop the source, remove ignition sources, get people clear
• When to call Triple Zero (000) and what to say
• Containing and cleaning up, protecting drains and waterways
• Keeping chemicals that react together apart
• First aid for skin, eyes, fumes and swallowed chemicals
• Notifiable incident test for a spill, and other reports to check
• Records, training and review

Legislation and Codes of Practice Referenced

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld): s 19 (primary duty of care), s 26A (approved codes of practice), s 28 (duties of workers), ss 35 to 39 (notifiable incidents, including s 37(a) uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage), ss 47 and 49 (consultation)
• Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld): ss 32 to 38 (risk management), s 39 (information, training and instruction), s 43 (emergency plans), ss 44 to 46 (personal protective equipment), s 52 (ignition sources)
• The same Regulation, Part 7.1 (hazardous chemicals): s 328 (application), s 344 (safety data sheets), s 346 (register), s 351 (management of risks), s 354 (physical or chemical reaction), s 355 (fire and explosion), s 357 (containing and managing spills), s 360 (emergency equipment), s 361 (emergency plans above a manifest quantity)
• Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 (Qld): s 133 (employer’s duty to report an injury)
• Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 (Qld), an approved code of practice: containing spills (section 4.2) and emergency equipment (section 6.2). Under s 26A of the WHS Act a business must follow an approved code or manage the risk in a way that gives an equivalent or higher standard
• First Aid in the Workplace Code of Practice 2021 (Qld), an approved code of practice: section 3.3 (eye wash and shower equipment)
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2021 (Qld), an approved code of practice: the SDS sections on first aid measures, accidental release measures and disposal considerations
• Environmental and waste laws apply to chemical spills and chemical waste. They are not covered by this document and no sections are cited, so get advice on them
• This document is general information for Queensland workplaces and is not legal advice

What You Get

• An editable Microsoft Word document (7 pages), A4 portrait
• Business details and document control typed once and filled in on every page, plus a space for your logo
• Purpose, scope and a policy statement with an approval sign-off
• Definitions, and responsibilities for each role
• A step-by-step procedure that says who does what
• Records, training, monitoring and review, related documents and a revision history

Review it and adjust it to suit your business, your sites and the way your team works, and talk it through with your workers. If you have any trouble downloading this template, you can contact us at any time. Please make sure you read our Disclaimer before downloading.