HSNO Regulations - Managing Risk

Managing Risk

A general duty for managing risk associated with hazardous substances has been incorporated into the regulations.

In managing risks, the PCBU must have regard to the following:

• the quantity of the hazardous substances used, handled, manufactured, or stored
• the health and physico-chemical hazards associated with the hazardous substance
• any potential chemical or physical reaction between the hazardous substance and another substance, including a substance that may be generated by the reaction
• any ignition sources (for example, flames, heat, or sparks) that might ignite the hazardous substance
• any structure, plant, or system of work that is used in the use, handling, manufacture, or storage of the hazardous substance
• the nature of the work to be carried out by workers with the hazardous substance, including—
  • the workers’ risks of exposure to the substance; and
  • the likely degree of exposure:
  • any prescribed exposure standard for the hazardous substance:
• any restricted entry interval for the substance, if one has been set

The risk management and exposure / health monitoring provisions of the General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations also apply.

Any control measures that you have in place must be reviewed (and revised if necessary)

• significant changes to the safety data sheet or inventory information
• after any notifiable event involving a hazardous substance
• at least once every 5 years

This is in addition to the control measure review requirements of the General Risk and Workplace Management Regulations.