Hazardous chemicals are common on farms, and poor storage or handling can cause serious harm. Early risk identification and safe practices help protect workers, animals and the environment.
What are hazardous chemicals?
Hazardous chemicals are those classified under the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Examples include fuels, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), pesticides, some herbicides, fertilisers, acids and industrial gases.
Exposure to a hazardous chemical can cause pain, injury, serious illness or death.
Learn more about hazardous chemicals.
Safe storage and transport
Most farmers use, store and transport hazardous chemicals as part of routine farm activities. To prevent leaks, spills and unintended exposure, ensure hazardous chemicals are stored and transported safely by:
- ensuring containers are clearly labelled
- storing chemicals in a well-ventilated and lockable area
- keeping chemicals upright during storage and transport
- segregating chemicals by storing incompatible products separately.
Safe handling
A hazardous chemical’s label provides information about the chemical’s identity, hazards and safe handling requirements.
You must maintain a register containing a list of all hazardous chemicals at your property, along with the corresponding safety data sheets (SDS) and ensure that workers can readily access and understand this information. To manage risks when handling hazardous chemicals, ensure the following controls are in place:
- train workers to handle chemicals safely
- keep a hazardous chemical register at the workplace
- ensure SDS are available for all chemicals on site
- ensure emergency eye wash stations and showers are immediately available and maintained
- provide workers handling chemicals with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, face shields, gloves, aprons, masks or respirators.
Resources and guidance
- First steps to farm safety: Guide
This guide provides farmers with a foundation for establishing good safety practices on farms. Note the checklists in this guide are not exhaustive and cover the key points to get you started. - Safe storage and handling of dangerous goods on farms: Pamphlet
This pamphlet includes some handy tips on how to safely store and handle dangerous goods on farms. - Stay safe when storing diesel in polyethylene tanks: Information sheet
This information sheet is intended for farmers and their workers to highlight the importance of storing diesel safely and correctly. - Fumigating a silo: Poster
This poster warns of the extreme toxicity of aluminium phosphide and the importance of safe transport to prevent deadly phosphine gas exposure. - Chemicals
This video shows to safely handle farm chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides with tips on SDS, PPE, storage and also how to prevent injuries. - Agricultural chemical transport
This webpage highlights safe practices for transporting chemicals on farms, including load restraint, product segregation, and compliance with dangerous goods regulations. - Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace: Code of practice
This code of practice provides practical guidance on how to manage health and safety risks associated with hazardous chemicals in the workplace. - Transporting aluminium phosphide for fumigation: Poster
Learn how to safely transport aluminium phosphide used for fumigation on farms. - Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals: Code of practice
This code of practice provides practical guidance on labelling hazardous chemicals manufactured or imported for use, handling or storage in Australia.