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Hazardous Substances Regulatory Package

The Hazardous Substances Regulatory Package forms a blueprint for the legislative control of hazardous substances used in the workplace.

The regulatory package consists of Model Regulations (which are intended to be adopted by the States and Territories), National Standards, Codes of Practice and Guidance Material.

A hazardous substance is a substance that has been classified as hazardous in accordance with the Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(2004) (Approved Criteria) (PDF 2.11MB). The classification used by the Approved Criteria is based on the health effects of the substance (i.e. toxicology).

Substances which have an exposure standard listed in the Adopted National Exposure Standards For Atmospheric Contaminants In The Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] (PDF 148kB) may also be considered hazardous substances. See Exposure Standards for more information. (Note: This package does not apply to radioactive substances, substances that are solely classified as dangerous goods, or substances hazardous to the environment.

A number of substances classified as hazardous may be found in the Hazardous Substances Information System (HSIS). Substances not listed in HSIS should be classified in accordance with the Approved Criteria.

Regulatory Documents	Amendments & Previous Versions
Model Regulations
National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)] (PDF 501kB)	October 2007 (PDF 40kB)
National Model Regulations for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1005(1994)] (PDF 501kB)	November 2001 (PDF 36kB) April 2003(PDF 36kB) April 2003 (PDF 25kB)
National Model Regulations for the Control of Scheduled Carcinogenic Substances [NOHSC:1011(1995) (PDF 44kB)
National Standards
Approved Criteria for Classifying Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:1008(2004) (PDF 2.11MB)	NOHSC:1008(1999)
National Standard for Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:1004(1990)] (PDF 681kB)
National Standard for the Control of Inorganic Lead at Work [NOHSC:1012(1994)] (PDF 106kB)
Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:1003(1995)] (PDF 148kB) (also listed in the HSIS)
Codes of Practice
National Code of Practice for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances [NOHSC:2007(1994)] (PDF 142kB)
National Code of Practice for the Control of Scheduled Carcinogenic Substances [NOHSC:2014(1995)] (PDF 115kB)
National Code of Practice for the Labelling of Workplace Substances [NOHSC:2012(1994)] (PDF 2.2MB)
National Code of Practice for the Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2011(2003)] (PDF 907kB)	[NOHSC:2011(1994)]
National Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Synthetic Mineral Fibres [NOHSC:2006(1990)] (PDF 681kB)
National Code of Practice for the Control and Safe Use of Inorganic Lead at Work [NOHSC:2015(1994)] (PDF 193kB)
Code of Practice for Safe Removal of Asbestos 2nd Edition [NOHSC:2002(2005)] (PDF 1546kB)	[NOHSC:2002(1988)]
Code of Practice for the Management and Control of Asbestos in the Workplace [NOHSC:2018(2005)] (PDF 805kB)	[NOHSC:3002(1988)]
National Code of Practice for the Safe Handling of Timber Preservatives and Treated Timber [NOHSC:2003(1989)] (PDF 165kB)
National Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Vinyl Chloride (PDF 74kB)
Guidance Note
Guidance Note for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances in the Retail Sector [NOHSC:3018(1994)] (PDF 580kB)
Guidance Note for the Assessment of Health Risks Arising from the Use of Hazardous Substances in the Workplace [NOHSC:3017(1994)] (PDF 1.16MB)
Guidance Note on the Interpretation of Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment [NOHSC:3008(1995)]
Guidelines for Health Surveillance [NOHSC:7039(1995)] (PDF 1.82MB)
Core Training Elements for the National Standard for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances (PDF 76kB)
Guidance Note on the Membrane Filter Method for Estimating Airborne Asbestos Fibres 2nd Edition [NOHSC:3003(2005)] (PDF 1.49MB)	[NOHSC:3003(1989)]
Guidance Note for the Safe Use of Ethylene Oxide in Sterilisation/Fumigation Processes [NOHSC:3016(1992)] (PDF 51kB)
Guidance Note for the Safe Handling of Timber Preservatives and Treated Timber [NOHSC:3007(1989)] (PDF 119kB)
National Guidance Material for Spray Painting (PDF 852kB)