This Chemical Management Information is being created via Haztech Environmental (HTE) as part of a Body of Chemical Management Information knowledge, with a specific focus on Dangerous Chemicals Situations that Must be Avoided.
It initially will include chemical management information from the the HTE Submissions to the Australian Parliaments in late July and late Nov 2023.
As more Chemical Management Information on Dangerous Chemicals Situations that Must be Avoided becomes available, this will be added.
As this occurs, similar Dangerous Chemicals Situations information will be grouped to aid in understanding and alerting each other.
Dangerous Chemicals Situations
Please send further Dangerous Chemicals Situations to Jeff.Simpson@haztech.com.au to be added to this webpage.
1/ Charging Lithium Batteries which fail by electrical discharging (causing fire by the very high temperatures), but the electrical reaction continues until fully discharged.
2/ Which common chemicals in Domestic Use and Business Use must not be mixed.
-Hypochlorite bleach and Hydrochloric Acid can release toxic Chlorine gas.
-Cleaning up an Unsaturated Oil with a High surface area absorbent (in a pile) can lead to a spontaneous combustion (Dangerous Goods Class 4) fire (like a compost heap).
3/ 2-Butanone Oxime (a Cat 1B serious cancer inhalation hazard) is released from most Silicone sealants when being applied and for the following 2 days, which building contractors commonly use without respiratory protection.Nor alerting those nearby on the day or will be near the following days.
4/ Cleaning with solvents in poor ventilation, such as tanks, refrigerators or rooms, that are really confined spaces, has caused many deaths.
5/ Flammable aerosol sprays near ignition sources.
6/ Cutting & welding drums / tanks, with flammable residues. Slow release of flammable vapours (even from water based products) in part empty drums & tanks that have only a flash hazard.
7/ Working with Engineered Stone in building kitchens where the sole trader contractor has been responsible for training, and appropriate procedures to avoid Silicosis. And the Senior Building Executive has NOT checked that they know what to do to protect themselves and those persons nearby.
8/ Aluminium Phosphide fumigant tablets that react with moisture to release toxic Phosphine fumigation gas. e.g. When a sealed freight transport container is opened where air humidity moisture enters and reacts to release it.
9/ Electrical equipment in hazardous areas with flammable vapours/gases or combustible dust deposits or clouds.
10/ Hazardous atmospheres inside Shipping Containers. e.g. From leaking containers. e.g. From unreacted fumigation chemicals (also see under 8/ above).
11/ Lead Contamination (WA in 2006 & 2007): Lead Carbonate ore was transported in bulk in sealed trucks, but then put on a conveyor open to the wind at the Port!
The required classification Division 6.1 TOXIC was not picked up by either the Mine Business nor the Authorities, until the incident was investigated!
12/ Chemical Waste taken for “disposal” was allowed by chemical industry General Managers, who did not ensure the EPA Vic Regulations for Chemical Waste reporting were complied with.
13/ The latest alarming Chemical Management 101 problem: Hydrocarbon liquids being poured into IBCs have recently caused two fires in Melbourne and killed two workers. One in Derrimut suburb in Oct 2023 and one in Dandenong South suburb in Dec 2023. Chemistry & Physics knowledge of Static Buildup hazards, Bonding and Earthing seem to be a lost art!. In July 2024 the Derrimut Chemical Warehouse burnt down in a major fire.
14/ Not adequately securing 1000L Intermediate Bulk Containers of Dangerous Goods Flammables / or Toxics / or Corrosives, on a truck trailer that potentially topple off onto to adjacent vehicle, potentially split open and be a major dangerous chemical hazard to the adjacent vehicle occupants (e.g. family in a car passing on the downside of tight curve).
15/ Very fine dry organic powders (including very fine food powders) may be a Dust Explosion Hazard. This hazard is already covered in the USA, where the very dry winters mean they manage Grain and Flour (and similar dust producing foods) Silo storage as USA GHS Dust Explosion Hazards.
16/ Very fine respirable food powders may become Dangerous Goods Class Class 4, BUT no testing is is routinely carried out, unlike industry’s expectation to do a Closed Cup Flash Point for Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
17/ Some curing Polymers release Hydrogen gas, which will accumulate in enclosed and sealed spaces and can build up to be a Hydrogen Gas Explosion Hazard.
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