RSPhys Chemical Purchasing

As part of the improvements to WHS across the University, RSPhys has a process on purchasing, storing and the use of chemicals in the Research School. Please read the section on Chemical Safety on the RSPhys SharePoint for further chemical safety protocols: 

RSPhys Chemical Safety & CMS

Purchase of new chemicals

Information and documents on Chemical Purchasing can be found on the RSPhys WHS Sharepoint.

Chemical Purchasing

• All new chemicals are to have a fully completed Hazardous Chemicals Purchasing Form attached to the purchase request. The form can be found here: RSPhys Chemical Purchasing Form
• A Risk Assessment (3.03.01-01) (RSPhys Risk Assessment) must be completed before purchase.
• For all processes that have a residual risk level of High – approval for use must be granted by the Director or above.
• Enter the details of the chemical and ensure the correct Safety Data Sheet (SDS) into ChemWatch.  The SDS must be in an Australian Standard format and from the actual manufacturer – other SDS are not acceptable.
• Please forward your completed Hazardous Chemicals Purchasing Form and purchase request to purchasing.physics@anu.edu.au for processing.
• Please forward completed risk assessment and safe work procedure forms to whs.physics@anu.edu.au for collation and record keeping.
• Ensure a copy of the Risk Assessment and Safe Work Procedure is available for all staff and students using the laboratory.

Purchase of replacement chemicals (restocking)

All replacement chemicals are to have a fully completed Hazardous Chemicals Purchasing Form attached to the purchase request – for the first request only.

Check and update the following as required:

• The attached Risk Assessment (3.03.01-01) and Safe Work Procedures (3.03.01-04) must be completed and reviewed by the supervisor/HOD before any work in undertaken.  Risk Assessment and SWP’s should be reviewed annually.
• For all processes that have a residual risk level of High – approval must be granted by the Director or above.
• Ensure the details of the chemical and the correct Safety Data Sheet (SDS) into ChemWatch.  The SDS must be in an Australian Standard format and from the actual manufacturer – other SDS are not acceptable.
• Please forward completed forms to whs.physics@anu.edu.au for collation and record keeping.  If the forms don’t require updating please ensure that a copy of the current forms are forwarded as well.
• Ensure a copy of the Risk Assessment and Safe Work Procedure is available for all staff and students using the laboratory.​​​​​​​

Store staff purchasing steps

1. Need to have a completed Hazardous Chemicals Purchasing Form with the purchase request.  If this form is completed, then confirmation regarding purchase is not required from RSPhys WHS staff.  If there are any queries, please contact the end user/supervisor in the first instance, then RSPhys WHS staff.
2. Need to confirm that the chemical is listed in ChemWatch in the correct quantity and location.  Double checking sections C & D in the form.

It is not necessary for you to sight the General Hazard Management Form or Safe Work Procedures.  E

Ensure that Section E is completed with “YES” to Q 8 to 11, including details for storage (to assist with Chemwatch).

1. Please forward completed forms to whs.physics@anu.edu.au once you have sited them.
2. Process the purchase request.