1) All lab users are legally obligated to report all pollution incidents and hazards through the H2O Online system or by calling security. 2) To avoid fines, all floor drains must be covered, chemicals and waste disposed of properly, and hazardous waste production reduced according to NSW laws. 3) Risk assessments identifying hazards and controls are required to avoid environmental liabilities from spills or discharges under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.

1. Report all pollution incidences or hazards
All lab users are under legal
obligation to report all pollution
incidents to the authorities.
You can log a hazard/incident report
through H2O Online Environmental
and OHS reporting system available
through MyUNSW. In case of
emergency call security at x56666.

2. No chemicals down the drain
To ensure compliance with environmental laws
and the “Sydney Water Waste Trade
Agreement,” UNSW has this policy which is
applicable to all laboratories on campus.
YES bleach is a chemical.

3. Cover all floor drains
Pollution of any waters is a Tier 2
offence under the Protection of the
Environment Operations Act.
To avoid spills, and discharge to
waterways, all floor drains in the
laboratory area should be covered.

4. Always dispose according to the UNSW hazardous waste
procedures.
Willful or negligent disposal of any
waste in a manner that harms or is
likely to harm the environment is a
Tier 1 offence.
All hazardous chemical waste must be
disposed of according to the UNSW
hazardous waste procedures.

5. Reduce hazardous waste production
It is mandatory under the NSW
Waste Avoidance and Resource
Recovery Act 2001 (fines of up to
$22,000 for individuals and $44,000
for cooperation for not complying),
to put in place procedures for
reducing hazardous waste
production.

6. Minimising waste and maximising resource recovery opportunities are
critical elements of UNSW’s sustainability strategy.
UNSW recycles and re-uses a wide range of materials. This is how UNSW
deals with recyclable waste and reuse opportunities.
Visit http://www.sustainability.unsw.edu.au/recycling/ for more
information.

7. Avoid emitting contaminants to the atmosphere
Under the Protection of the Environment
Operations Act Section 126, air pollution is a
Tier 2 offence.
To avoid penalties under this act, laboratory
managers must make sure that:
• all laboratory contaminants emitted to the
outside atmosphere (through stacks, vents
and exhausts) are not harmful to the
environment
• all the relevant documents and permits are
maintained

8. • e.g. hazardous • Consequences of
chemicals, spills, u the risk identified
ncompatible • Likelihood of the
chem storage risk to happen
Identifying Assessing
hazards risks
Monitoring Applying
& review controls
• Check • Put controls in
effectiveness of place to minimise
control measures or eliminate the
• Get updated with risk
new standards
A comprehensive risk assessment based on the identification of hazard and risk to
the environment should be completed before initiating any work on Dangerous
Goods.
Click here for more information….

9. Risk assessments can prove compliance and help avoid
liabilities
In the case of a spill or accidental
discharge of hazardous chemicals,
risk identification, assessment and
elimination can prove critical for
avoiding liabilities under the
Protection of the Environment
Operations Act.

10. Know where to find and how to use the MSDS
All laboratory personnel and students must have access to and
must use supplier provided MSDS’s for information on chemical
use and in case of emergency.

11. All labels must meet minimum standards
It must contain:
• Product name (both chemical and
common)
• Risk and Safety phrases
• Date
• Contact details for supplier
• Emergency information (at a glance)
• Hazard warning word/dangerous
goods class and symbol (e.g.
Flammable)

12. Always update your chemicals register
All UNSW laboratories should have an up-
dated Chemicals Register, with details of
stored chemicals.
Access it’s template from this link.
A centralized system for tracking and record
keeping of all chemicals ordered and used in
schools is more efficient for resource
recovery and hazardous waste reduction.