The risks of injury associated with transport and handling of hazardous chemicals makes personal protective equipment (PPE) a fundamental requirement for many occupations and activities that blur traditional industry sectors lines. Relative to other injury types, incidence of serious claims relating to chemicals trail far behind more prevalent complaints such as slips and falls or body stresses.

While just over 800 serious workplace injury claims relating to chemical exposure were lodged in 20181, the potential severity of chemical injury has necessitated the development of multiple codes of practice to minimise risk throughout the supply chain.

For safety and operations managers, responsibility extends beyond immediate employees to encompass other parties in the supply chain including chemical decanting and fuel transfer crews, maintenance and painting teams and cleaning or production staff. It also incorporates contractors and site visitors required to enter chemical handling areas including independent or industry consultants carrying out safety audits, government officials inspecting the site, customers placing or receiving orders and logistics providers carrying or unloading goods.