Hazardous Substances and Dust Management Policy

Purpose. Controls the purchase, storage, use and disposal of adhesives, coatings, solvents and other hazardous substances, and the management of wood dust and glass dust across all sites.

1.Scope

This policy covers every chemical product used in the business, including contact adhesives, polyurethane and water-based coatings, thinners, glass cleaners, cutting oils and foam adhesives. It also covers wood dust from machining and sanding and dust generated by glass edging and drilling. It applies at every Craftline site and on customer sites where products are used.

2.Register and safety data sheets

The Quality and Safety Manager must keep a hazardous substances register that lists every product, its location, quantity and the date of the current safety data sheet. A safety data sheet no more than five years old must be available at the point of use. No new product may be purchased until it is assessed and added to the register.

• Register reviewed every six months
• Safety data sheets held in the spray booth, upholstery workroom and glass plant
• Products not on the register are removed from site

3.Isocyanate coatings

Two-pack polyurethane coatings contain isocyanates that cause occupational asthma. Spraying must only occur in the filtered booth with the extraction running, and operators must wear an air-supplied or approved half-face respirator with fresh filters, gloves and coveralls. Operators must be fit tested annually and complete health monitoring as required by the Victorian regulations.

4.Wood dust

Dust extraction must be running on every machine before it is started, and the extraction system must be inspected weekly and serviced quarterly. Dry sweeping is prohibited on the factory floor; use the vacuum or the extraction hose. P2 respirators must be worn when sanding by hand or emptying extraction bags. Hardwood dust is a recognised carcinogen and exposure will be kept as low as reasonably practicable.

5.Storage and disposal

Flammable liquids must be stored in the bunded flammable goods cabinet with the total quantity kept under the limit shown on the cabinet. Waste solvent, empty containers and used rags must be placed in the labelled waste drums and collected by the licensed waste contractor. Nothing may be poured to the stormwater drain or the sewer, in line with the Environment Protection Act 2017 (Victoria).

6.Training

Every worker who uses a hazardous substance must complete the induction module on safety data sheets and personal protective equipment before first use, and supervisors must record this in the training matrix. Spray booth operators must complete the isocyanate training and fit test before they are rostered to spray.