SafeWork SA reminds businesses to comply with GHS 7

SafeWork SA reminds businesses to comply with GHS 7, confirming this system remains the only accepted method for classifying and labelling hazardous chemicals across Australia. Manufacturers and importers must align their processes with this framework to protect workers and maintain safety standards throughout their operations.

Quick summary: South Australia adopted the Seventh Revised Edition of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS 7) on 1 January 2023. Any hazardous chemical manufactured or imported after this date must comply with GHS 7 labelling and classification rules, with no exceptions permitted for older editions of the system.

Why GHS 7 Matters for Australian Industry

South Australia adopted GHS 7 on 1 January 2023, replacing earlier editions used across various sectors of industry. This move brings the state into closer alignment with international chemical safety standards recognised throughout Australia and beyond.

"GHS 7 is now the only system that PCBUs manufacturing or importing hazardous substances must use to classify and label newly manufactured and imported hazardous chemicals," SafeWork SA said.

Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) operating within manufacturing, construction, or plant-based industries face direct obligations under this framework. Correct classification reduces risk exposure for employees handling dangerous substances during production, storage, or transport.

What Businesses Must Do to Comply

SafeWork SA urged suppliers of hazardous chemicals to ensure any product manufactured or imported on or after 1 January 2023 complies fully with GHS 7. Businesses across industry sectors should review current labelling practices against this updated standard without delay.

Key compliance steps include:

• Reviewing classification of hazardous chemicals against GHS 7 criteria to identify potential health and physical hazards
• Updating product labels to reflect correct pictograms, signal words, and hazard statements
• Ensuring safety data sheets align with revised classification requirements
• Training relevant staff on updated hazard communication protocols relevant to their industry
• Auditing transport documentation for hazardous chemicals moved between sites or interstate

Risk Reduction Across Manufacturing and Plant Operations

Consistent classification under GHS 7 lowers risk for organisations managing plant equipment, chemical storage, or industrial processing lines. Workers handling hazardous substances within manufacturing plants benefit from clearer hazard information, reducing uncertainty during daily operations.

Industry sectors relying heavily on chemical transport, including construction and healthcare, must also confirm their supply chains meet GHS 7 requirements. Poor classification can increase risk during transport, storage, and handling, particularly where plant machinery interacts directly with hazardous materials.

Businesses seeking additional guidance can review our article on SafeWork SA's approach to silica exposure risks, which highlights similar hazard classification challenges within industry.

Supporting Safety Across Industry Sectors

SafeWork SA continues supporting industry through compliance campaigns designed to strengthen chemical safety awareness nationwide. These initiatives complement broader safety resources published by Safe Work Australia, reinforcing consistent standards across every state and territory.

Organisations managing hazardous chemicals within plant environments should also consider related safe work method statements, such as our guidance on working with contaminated soil, which addresses handling procedures relevant to chemical exposure.

For businesses managing broader safety obligations, our resource on SafeWork SA assisting businesses with psychosocial hazards outlines further compliance considerations relevant across Australian workplaces.

Health and Safety Outcomes Under GHS 7

Correct implementation of GHS 7 supports better health outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals daily. Clear labelling reduces confusion, supporting faster emergency response and safer handling procedures across manufacturing and plant-based industry settings.

Businesses transporting hazardous chemicals interstate should note that GHS 7 compliance applies uniformly across Australia, removing inconsistencies previously created by mixed adoption of earlier editions. This consistency benefits industry supply chains reliant on interstate transport of classified substances.

Companies managing vegetation near industrial or plant sites should also review our guidance on regular tree maintenance requirements, which supports broader site safety alongside chemical handling obligations.

Next Steps for Compliance

For more information regarding classification obligations, hazard communication, and transport requirements, visit the SafeWork SA website. Businesses operating internationally, including within New Zealand, can also review our safety documents for New Zealand businesses for comparable compliance guidance.

Maintaining accurate hazard classification protects workers, strengthens safety culture, and reduces risk exposure across every stage of chemical handling, storage, and transport within Australian industry.