This policy procedure sets out how hazardous substances are assessed, used and stored, explains the hazard and PPE pictograms, and points to the register and assessment form that record them.

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This policy template is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:

• Policy number and title
• Information-classification
• Version
• Page number / total pages

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Further Reading

Further guidance on hazardous substances:

• Hazardous Substances
• Storage of Oils and Chemicals
• Environmental Spills - Prevention and Response
• Health and Safety knowledge base

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Hazardous Substances Policy Procedure Template

The Hazardous Substances Policy Procedure is a Word template that sets out how a business identifies, assesses and controls substances that are hazardous to health. It covers assessing each substance, reviewing the tasks where workers could be exposed, the control measures required, rules for using chemicals safely, the hazard pictograms and their meanings, PPE pictograms and the selection and use of PPE.

Title, File Location, Issue No, Issue Date, Controlled By and Approved By fields and an Amendment Record support document control, and the footer carries a Business Use information classification. The procedure closes with pointers to further advice from the health and safety regulator.

What the Policy Covers

• Amendment record, summary, scope and applicability - the purpose of the policy, its scope across all company activities and locations, who it applies to and how guidance sections are marked
• Assessing the substances - how each substance is reviewed using product information, suppliers and other sources, the forms hazardous substances take and the register of assessments
• Reviewing the tasks - avoiding or reducing hazardous substances, the routes of exposure to consider and the control measures required before anyone uses a substance
• Using chemicals safely - the rules employees follow when handling substances, from reading data sheets and checking labels to correct storage and never mixing substances
• Hazard pictograms - the red bordered diamond hazard pictograms, what each one means and the older orange symbols that may still appear on older stock
• PPE pictograms, selection and use - the blue circle PPE pictograms, guidance on coveralls, eye protection, footwear, hearing protection and gloves, and choosing PPE that fits and works together

Built for Safe Handling of Substances

• Every hazardous substance used or stored identified and assessed, with the assessments listed on a register
• No one to be exposed to a hazardous substance without being aware of it
• Assessments and safety data sheets made available before a substance is used
• Hazard pictograms explained with their meanings and typical products, such as drain cleaners and pesticides
• No smoking, eating or drinking while using hazardous substances

Who Needs a Hazardous Substances Policy Procedure?

Any business that uses or stores chemicals, cleaning materials or other substances that are hazardous to health. It is written for the people who assess and buy substances and for the employees who use them.

How the Policy Fits Together

Completed assessments are listed on the F-HS4 Hazardous Substances Register, which also records where each substance is used, and each assessment is recorded on the F-HS5 Hazardous Substances Assessment Form.

Using the Policy

Edit the sources used to assess substances, the safe use rules and the PPE guidance to match the substances and tasks in your business, and decide how assessments and safety data sheets are made available before use. Name the person in the Controlled By field, give it top level approval and brief employees before they handle hazardous substances.

Related Documents

The GG-7-06 Hazardous Substances Guidance and TT-7-06 Hazardous Substances Training Talk can be used to brief employees on working safely with hazardous substances.