Understanding hazardous materials
Hazardous substances, dangerous goods, combustible liquids and lead are examples of hazardous materials classified according to their relevance to workplace health and safety
Hazardous materials can cause adverse health effects such as severe poisoning, asthma, skin rashes, allergic reactions, allergic sensitisation, cancer, and other long term diseases from exposure to substances as well as physical effects such as fire, explosion, release of hazardous gases and corrosion.
Hazardous materials, if not stored or handled correctly, can cause harm to workers, members of the public, property and the environment due to their physical, chemical, and biological properties.
Hazardous materials include many commonly found industrial, commercial, pharmaceutical, agricultural and domestic chemicals.
Examples of some hazardous materials include:
- paints
- drugs
- cosmetics
- cleaning chemicals
- degreasers
- detergents
- gas cylinders
- refrigerant gases
- pesticides
- herbicides
- diesel fuel
- petrol
- liquefied petroleum gas
- welding fume.
Materials are classified as hazardous substances if they meet the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances (PDF, 405 KB) (non-Queensland Government link). Materials are also classified as hazardous substances if their name appears in the NOHSC publication titled 'List of Hazardous Substances' and are found above the stated cut-off concentrations in that publication.
NOTE: NOHSC publications are now available through Safe Work Australia.
Materials are classified as dangerous goods if they meet the criteria established by the United Nations and documented in Australia by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
Hazardous substances and dangerous goods are chemicals for which a manufacturer or importer must prepare, amend, provide and review a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
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