More chemicals added on the Hazardous Chemical Information System

Australia's Hazardous Chemical Information System has been updated, with Safe Work Australia adding or updating more than 300 chemicals on the database.

The HCIS is an online tool that provides chemical hazard information for substances classified in accordance with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Workers, employers and safety professionals rely on this classification data to understand hazards, exposure limits and risk controls associated with specific substances.

What Does This Update Mean for Workplace Safety?

Added entries give businesses access to current information when conducting risk assessments for hazardous substances used on site. Accurate hazard information supports better decision-making around storage, handling and disposal of dangerous goods, reducing risk to workers who come into contact with these materials daily.

Employers managing hazardous chemicals should review updated listings to confirm their current safety documentation, such as a Hazardous Chemicals SWMS, reflects the latest classification standards. Keeping documentation aligned with HCIS updates helps organisations maintain compliance and protect worker health.

Why Search Hazardous Chemicals Through HCIS?

Searching hazardous chemicals through this system allows businesses to:

• Confirm correct classification of substances used in daily operations
• Identify exposure limits relevant to specific chemical hazards
• Support risk assessments required under workplace safety obligations
• Access reliable chemical hazard information from a trusted national source

Businesses handling dangerous goods should also ensure their Hazardous Chemicals/Dangerous Goods Management Plan reflects any newly added or amended entries, particularly where risk to worker health has changed following reclassification.

Supporting Documentation and Ongoing Compliance

Reviewing an organisation's Hazardous Chemicals Management Policy alongside HCIS updates gives safety teams confidence their procedures reflect current chemical classification standards. This is particularly important for construction, manufacturing and healthcare sectors, where exposure to hazardous substances carries significant risk.

Businesses can also strengthen their broader safety documentation by reviewing resources under Hazardous Substances Policies & Procedures and the Chemical Management Plans category, ensuring every hazard identified through HCIS is matched with a corresponding control measure.

For further reading on regulatory developments affecting chemical safety, see Safe Work Australia's announcement on the upcoming ban on engineered stone, which highlights the ongoing focus on reducing risk from hazardous materials in Australian workplaces.

To learn more about the updated database, visit the Safe Work Australia website.