Hazardous Chemicals Register

Purpose. This register lists every hazardous chemical held at Everlasting sites, where it is stored, the quantity, the safety data sheet date and the controls in place, as required by the hazardous substances regulations.

1.Scope

The register covers embalming fluids and cavity chemicals, disinfectants and sterilants, cosmetics and solvents used in the mortuary, fuels, oils and herbicides used by the grounds team, and the cleaning chemicals used across all sites. A chemical is added before it is first brought on site and removed only when the last container has been disposed of.

2.Register fields

Each entry records the product name, supplier, the hazard classification from the safety data sheet, the storage location, the maximum quantity held, the date of the safety data sheet, the PPE and controls required and the person responsible.

• Product and supplier
• Hazard classification and pictograms
• Storage location and maximum quantity
• Safety data sheet date, no older than five years
• Required PPE and engineering controls
• Spill and first aid response
• Responsible person

3.Embalming chemicals

Formaldehyde-based arterial fluids and cavity fluids are stored in the ventilated chemical cabinet in the embalming theatre. The theatre's downdraft table and extraction system must be running whenever these chemicals are open. Formaldehyde exposure monitoring results are held with the register.

4.Grounds and plant chemicals

Fuels, oils and herbicides are stored in the bunded chemical store at the Memorial Park depot. Herbicide application is carried out only by workers holding the required chemical user training and is recorded in the spray diary.

5.Safety data sheets

A current safety data sheet for every chemical is held in the register folder at each site and in the document library. Workers must read the safety data sheet before using a chemical for the first time.

6.Review

The Mortuary Manager reviews the register every six months and after any new chemical is introduced, any spill or exposure incident, or any change to the safety data sheet.