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