Hazardous chemicals

The use of chemicals is widespread throughout our community.

When properly used they do not present a problem, but when uncontrolled or in large amounts they can present a health risk.

There is a comprehensive framework of legislation in Australia and WA which controls chemicals in general and hazardous chemicals in particular.

The Environmental Health Directorate has roles in both risk prevention and response, and employs toxicologists and other experts to provide advice and guidance in these areas.

Legislation

• Health Act 1911 (external site)
• Poisons Act 1964 (external site)
• Health (Pesticides) Regulations 2011 (external site)

Codes of practice

• Code of practice for the safe use and management of registered pesticides containing 1080, PAPP and strychnine (PDF 254KB) or (Word 512KB)

Guidelines

• Draft guidance note: local government possible responses to police notification of clandestine drug laboratory (clan lab) discovery (PDF 50KB) 
• Public Service Circular 88 (PSC 88) Use of Herbicides in Water Catchment Areas (PDF 116KB).  PSC 88 is a government circular designed to provide advice to on the use of herbicides in drinking water catchment areas including approved chemicals, application methods, safe storage and disposal.
  PSC 88 was established to protect WA drinking water resources from unnecessary exposure to herbicides. It is overseen by the Department and is binding to government departments. Currently the Pesticides Advisory Committee (PeAC), a statutory committee established under the Health Act, is undertaking a review of PSC 88 with the view of replacing it with a Code of Practice that will cover all pesticides and to have it apply to all of the population and not just government departments.

More information

Hazards Unit, Environmental Health Directorate
Phone: 9222 2000
Email: ehinfo@health.wa.gov.au