Chemical spills, storage and waste disposal
If your facility uses or stores chemicals, you should review your chemical management practices at least once a year. Your Work Health and Safety Coordinator (WHSC) should complete a chemical safety inspection checklist.
Spills
In an emergency:
Contact UQ Security on (07) 3365 3333.
Follow the Chemical Spill Response Procedure if a chemical spill occurs.
Preparation for chemical spills
Every organisational unit that generates or operates with chemicals and other waste must be prepared to clean up spills. Your area must:
- hold appropriate equipment, including spill kits
- have staff trained to clean up spills of the types of chemicals used on your site. Check the training and induction requirements for hazardous chemicals workers and laboratory workers.
Spill kits must be appropriate for the type and volume of chemicals being used and stored.The Chemical Spill Response Procedure list recommended items for a chemical spill kit. A chemical's safety data sheet (SDS) states what agents are suitable for treating or neutralising the chemical in the case of a spill.
Storage
To ensure chemicals are safely stored, follow the:
- Chemical Storage Safety Guideline
- Flammable and Combustible Liquids: Storage and Handling Procedure
- Storage of Chemicals in Fridges, Freezers and Cold Rooms Guidelines
- Storage and Handling of Gas Cylinders Guideline.
Waste disposal
All chemical waste must be disposed of in accordance with the UQ Chemical Waste Operating Procedure. See the Waste Management section of the Environmental Management System for the University-wide Chemical Waste Operating Procedure and site-specific procedures.
Do not discard chemicals down the laboratory sink, unless you have verified that this is an appropriate disposal method.
You should consider waste disposal requirements before you order chemicals. For all chemicals you'll be working with, you must read the safety data sheet (SDS) for:
- risk and safety information
- disposal requirements.
If you have any questions:
- ask your supervisor or laboratory management
- contact the UQ Science Store.
Training
You must complete training before you start work with hazardous chemicals or laboratory work. Check the training and induction requirements for hazardous chemicals workers and laboratory workers.