Chemical Management policy update

The Department have updated the Chemical Management policy, procedures and resources.

Importantly for Principals to note - 

Chemwatch GoldFFX (Chemwatch) is the department’s preferred chemical management system. It is available to all schools.

Benefits of Chemwatch

Chemwatch can help you streamline chemical management in your school. It can be used to:

• create and maintain a digital chemical register
• automatically update most safety data sheets 
• support risk assessments and identify product hazards
• generate storage and compatibility reports for dangerous goods and hazardous substances 
• create and print compliant product labels 
• help meet your school’s OHS legislative obligations.

Support with transitioning to Chemwatch

You can contact our Statewide OHS Services team for help to:

• access and use Chemwatch. Access is through a digital secure single login 
• build or review chemical registers
• interpret safety data sheets
• identify chemical hazards and support risk assessments 
• strengthen chemical management practices and help with safe work procedures.

Updates to policy, procedures and resources

We have consulted with school representatives and laboratory technicians across Victoria to update the Chemical Management policy, procedure and resources. The updates make chemical management in schools easier, safer and more consistent. 

Key updates are:

• information on how Chemwatch integrates with digital chemical registers, risk assessments and automatically updates safety data sheets
• links to Chemwatch training resources to help you use the system
• practical, step-by-step guidance to identify, assess and control chemical risks
• improved advice on the safe storage, use and disposal of chemicals
• new example risk management forms, risk assessments and safe work procedures
• more guidance on personal protective equipment, hazardous waste disposal, chemical emergencies and managing contractor activities.

Policy, guidance and resources

Our Policy and Advisory Library includes all related policy information, guidance and resources under the relevant menu tabs:

• Chemical Management
• Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools: Useful contacts.