Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in Workplace – Code of Practice Checklist
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What This Checklist Is
This checklist is a practical self-review tool that helps businesses reflect on how hazardous chemicals are identified and managed in the workplace. It is commonly used during internal reviews, planning activities, or improvement discussions where chemicals are stored, handled, or used. The checklist is intended for owners, managers, and supervisors who want a clear way to sense-check everyday chemical safety practices.
It is a practical review tool, not a compliance test and not legal advice.
How This Checklist Relates to the Code of Practice
A WHS Code of Practice describes accepted ways of managing Work Health and Safety risks in Australia. This checklist reflects the key themes of the Code by focusing on hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk control for hazardous chemicals in real work situations. Answering “Yes” and “No” helps highlight where current practices appear effective and where gaps or weaknesses may exist.
The checklist supports understanding of good practice without claiming legal alignment.
Why Use a Code of Practice Checklist?
Chemical risks can be overlooked when substances are used routinely or in small quantities. A checklist like this helps clarify what “good practice” looks like when managing hazardous chemicals in everyday work. It supports early identification of weak or missing controls and helps set clearer priorities for WHS improvement.
It also supports more informed discussions with workers, advisors, or inspectors about workplace safety.
Key Features
Simple Yes / No checklist format
Written in plain English
Designed for Australian WHS Codes of Practice
Suitable for small and medium businesses
How to Use This Checklist
Work through the questions honestly, based on how chemicals are actually stored, handled, and used rather than how procedures say they should be managed. The checklist is most useful when answers reflect real tasks, work areas, and behaviours.
Treat “No” answers as areas needing further attention. Use the results to prioritise practical actions and revisit the checklist when chemicals, work activities, or risks change.
What Inspectors Commonly Expect to See
Inspectors generally focus on how hazardous chemical risks are identified and managed in practice, not just on written documents. They look for evidence that chemicals are recognised as hazards, risks are assessed, and controls are applied and maintained. Tools like this checklist support informed decision-making by showing that chemical risks have been actively reviewed.
Action and understanding usually matter more than paperwork alone. Inspectors often want to see that issues identified lead to practical changes.
Notes or action lists from checklist reviews
Changes made to risk controls or work practices
Records showing issues were identified and addressed
FAQs
What are hazardous chemicals in a workplace?
They are substances that can cause harm through exposure, such as cleaning products, fuels, solvents, or industrial chemicals. The checklist helps review how these risks are managed in everyday work.
Is this checklist only for workplaces that use large amounts of chemicals?
No. Small quantities can still present risks. The checklist is useful wherever chemicals are stored, handled, or used.
Does completing the checklist mean chemical risks are controlled?
No. The checklist helps identify strengths and gaps but does not control risks on its own. It supports review and improvement.
When should chemical risks be reviewed?
Reviews are useful when new chemicals are introduced, tasks change, or incidents occur. Many businesses also review periodically to catch issues early.
Articles and Further Reading
Regulation s351–s356 – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals – Establishes duties to identify hazardous chemicals, assess exposure risks, and implement appropriate control measures in the workplace.
Hazardous Chemicals – Provides practical guidance on chemical identification, storage, handling, labelling, and risk control under the Model WHS framework.
About the Author
About the Author
Nathan Owen
Nathan has worked in construction for 15 years, primarily in health and safety and site management. He has frontline experience including operating plant and machinery and post-graduate qualifications in health and safety.