GG-7-06 Hazardous Substances Guidance
| File Reference : | GG-7-06 Hazardous Substances Guidance |
This guidance explains the hazard pictograms, how workers can be exposed, and the rules for using, storing and disposing of hazardous substances safely.
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Further guidance on hazardous substances:
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Hazardous Substances Guidance
A general guidance document on hazardous substances, for everyone at work who uses or handles them. It explains how to find out whether a substance is harmful, the ways workers can be exposed, safe working practice, hazard and PPE pictograms, and safe storage and disposal.
Topics Covered
- Looking at each substance - finding out how a substance is harmful from its label, safety data sheet or supplier, and whether it could be replaced
- Thinking about the task - how workers can be exposed, by breathing in, skin contact, swallowing, eye contact or skin puncture
- Using substances safely - reading the safety data sheet and risk assessment first, wearing protective equipment, never mixing substances and no eating or drinking
- Hazard pictograms - the red-bordered diamond pictograms, what each hazard means and its typical hazard statements
- PPE and safety instruction pictograms - blue circle pictograms showing the protective equipment to use or the safety instructions to follow
- Storage and disposal - secure, labelled storage in original containers, keeping substances that could react apart, and disposal as hazardous waste
Who Is It For?
All workers who use, handle or store hazardous substances, and the managers responsible for hazardous substance risk assessments.
Included in the ISO 45001 Toolkit
This guidance is supplied with the TT-7-06 Hazardous Substances Guidance training talk, which is part of the ISO 45001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it.
Using the Guidance
Issue it to anyone who works with hazardous substances before they start, and keep it alongside your safety data sheets as a reference for the pictograms. Record who has received it, for example on the training matrix.
Hazard Pictograms Explained
A table sets out each hazard pictogram, from toxic and flammable to corrosive and gas under pressure, with what the hazard means and its typical hazard statements. Everyday examples such as bleach, drain cleaners and petrol are given for some. Workers are also told to treat older orange square symbols the same way and ask for an up-to-date safety data sheet.
Adapting the Guidance
Edit the guidance to match your own arrangements - your hazardous substance risk assessments, the designated storage areas on your site, the PPE pictograms you use and how hazardous waste is disposed of.
Related Documents
Other documents that work alongside this guidance:
Would you rather we prepared it for you?
Our assessment preparation service prepares the assessments for the hazardous substances your people actually use - what they do with each product, in the quantities you use, and the controls in place - so the guidance can point to an assessment for every product.
Hazardous Substance Assessment Preparation