16. Environment

Introduction

The University is making efforts to eliminate, substitute or reduce the amount of and exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.  If it is not possible to find a suitable substitute for a hazardous substance, all safety precautions must be used to manage the substance.

16.1  Legal Requirements

The Environmental Protection Act, 1994 (Qld) protects Queensland's environment while allowing for ecologically sustainable development.

The Toowoomba Regional Council Trade Waste Agreement provides guidelines for the disposal of hazardous substances. (A copy of this document is available through USQSafe or the Office of Facilities Management).

An international agreement called the Montreal Protocol limits the production and use of ozone-depleting substances. Many substances are ozone-depleting.  Examples are:

• chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) previously used as refrigerants, foam blowing agents and propellants in spray cans.  CFCs are now banned in Australia.
• carbon tetrachloride, used in dry cleaning;
• methyl bromide, used as an insecticide for soil fumigation;
• methyl chloroform;
• oxides of nitrogen.

16.2  Further Information

For more information on environmental protection, contact:

EPA Customer Service Centre
160 Ann Street
BRISBANE  QLD  4000
Phone: 13 74 68

16.3  USQSafe contact

Manager (USQSafe)

16.4  Status

Published October 1998
Reviewed October 2009
Reviewed November 2012

16.5  References

Work Health and Safety Act 2011(Qld)
Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 Hazardous Chemicals (Qld)
Hazardous Chemicals Code of Practice 2003
USQSafe, Workplace Health and Safety Procedures Manual, Section E1 - Emergency Procedures, Section H1 - Hazard Reporting