Hazard and Waste Management

In accordance with the legislation, Southern Cross University ensures regular audits are performed to identify asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM), maintains a register of all the materials identified and implements an Asbestos Management Plan. 

To reach our goal of being asbestos free, Southern Cross University is continuously planning asbestos removal works. 

Warning labels have been placed on all identified materials and listed on the Asbestos Register. 

Property Services maintain the Asbestos Register and Asbestos Management Plan. For more information, please contact propertyservices@scu.edu.au.

Reporting Suspected Materials

If you suspect a material contains asbestos, immediately notify Property Services (propertyservices@scu.edu.au). For more information, please refer to the Asbestos Management Plan. 

Maintenance/Construction/Demolition/Servicing Works Performed in an Area Containing Asbestos

Any trade staff or contractors attends site for works must complete the required induction which includes an Asbestos Acknowledgement. When attending site for works the workers should consult with the Asbestos Register and Property Services Project Mangers before commencing work.

All safety documentation must be completed and returned in addition to the above requirements.

Asbestos Management 

In accordance with the legislation, Southern Cross University ensures regular audits are performed to identify asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACM), maintains a register of all the materials identified and implements an Asbestos Management Plan. 

Asbestos Documentation

Asbestos Management Plan

Asbestos Register

Asbestos Management Plan SCU Lismore G Block 

Asbestos Management Plan SCU Lismore O Block

Asbestos Management Plan SCU Lismore S Block

Asbestos Management Plan SCU Lismore U Block

Relevant Legislation

NSW - Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017

QLD - Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011

NSW - Code of Practice: How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace

QLD - Code of Practice: How to manage and control asbestos in the workplace

Acquisition (purchase or donation)

Prior to the initial purchase or donation of a chemical, the following should occur:

1. A copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall be obtained from the manufacturer/supplier or accessed via.
2. A risk assessment is to be undertaken to determine if the product is a Dangerous Good, Hazardous Substance or Scheduled Drug or Poison.
3. Verify that the controls identified in the risk assessment have been implemented prior to acquisition.

 Registers and Manifests

Each area where Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Substances are stored is required to maintain a register or manifest. Any person who could be exposed to a Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Substance must have access to these documents.

Regulations require that the minimum information that must be included in a register is a list of all Dangerous Goods / Hazardous Substances present, together with the applicable Safety Data Sheet.

Prior to disposing of chemicals a manifest must be provided to the Chemical Storage drop off location. The manifest must itemise the chemical names, quantities, and dangerous goods and packaging classifications.

 Labelling Protocols

Labels on hazardous chemicals identify hazards and give instructions on how to use them safely.

Ensure hazardous chemicals containers are labelled with GHS compliant labels. The label should be clearly legible and firmly fixed to the container; it should not be obscured or in a spot where it could be removed, for example on the lid. Containers that are to be reused for other purposes than the original shall have all references to the Dangerous Goods removed.

SCU hazardous chemical labels are distributed by Workplace Health and Safety. To request labels, please email whs@scu.edu.au. 

Risk Assessment

The Risk Assessment process should be undertaken to define the requirements of the fire and emergency systems for a specific Dangerous Goods store or product. These shall be included in the Emergency plan of the area and the site if deemed significant enough to do so. Staff, students and visitors should be trained in the safe handling of all chemicals used in your workplace.

Spill Kits

Wherever chemicals are used, handled or stored, a spill kit must be available and be appropriate for the material stored / handled.

Disposal and Waste

Waste disposal shall be in accordance with statutory guidelines and University licence requirements. The SDS shall be consulted for guidance on environmental consequences.

1. Chemical waste adhesive labels (supplied by WHS) are to be filled out by the custodian (including class of chemical and contents) and attached to containers prior to disposal.
2. An electronic manifest must be provided prior to delivering chemicals to the University chemical drop off locations for disposal.
3. Chemicals stored in drop off locations in preparation for disposal must be segregated into the appropriately marked areas, i.e. flammables, corrosives.

Campus Storage and Disposal Locations

Access to these areas are restricted to designated department or faculty representatives:

We need your help!

Our vision is to minimise environmental harm from our waste generation, management and disposal by decreasing the quantity of waste generated, and increasing the rate of recycling and recovery. To assist staff, students and visitors to support this vision the University provides bins that enable correct sorting and disposal of waste as follows.

General Waste

General waste bins can be identified by RED LID.

• Soiled food containers
• Food scraps
• Plastic bags and cling wrap
• Glazed wrappers

Confidential Waste

Confidential bins can be identified as PADLOCKED BLUE bins. All confidential papers that require shredding need to be placed in these bins. They are emptied ‘as required’ by raising an Archibus to have the bin emptied.

Recycling

Co-Mingled: Recycling waste bins can be identified by YELLOW LID.

• Plastic bottles and containers
• Glass bottles and jars
• Aluminium and tin cans

Paper: Individual under-desk paper recycling bins are available to all staff by raising an Archibus. These bins become the responsibility of staff to empty into the larger blue recycling bins when full:

• Office paper
• Envelopes and manila folders
• Newspaper, magazines and small books
• Light cardboard

Cardboard: Cardboard collection cages are provided at each campus. Telephone 02 6620 3222 to confirm these locations. Please take your cardboard waste to these cages, ensuring you flatten all boxes to further minimise waste disposal. The cages are emptied by a contractor on a regular schedule.

Toner cartridge: Toner cartridge are to be sent to Stores at W block, by internal mail, to be placed in bins for collection. The following items can be recycled:

• Inkjet cartridges
• Laser cartridges
• Toner bottles
• Fuser and drum units
• Print heads

Batteries: Spent batteries can be disposed of in the following locations:

• Lismore: The outward mail collection point in your building or the W block mailroom.
• Gold Coast: A central drop off box can be found outside the Shared Services Hub on the ground floor of Building A.

E-Waste

E-Waste includes all electronic appliances/equipment which are are no longer functioning or are obsolete. These appliances/equipment contain toxic chemicals and metals that could harm the environment if placed in landfill which is Items which is why Property Services encourage those working on site to utilise our e-waste bin facilities. General waste or cardboard is NOT acceptable. Items which can be disposed in an E-Waste bin include:

• Televisions/monitors
• Computers
• Photocopiers and printers
• CDs and DVDs

• Lismore: The E-Waste bin is located at W Block. When you wish to dispose of E-Waste please present to the W Block Property Services Office to request permission and obtain the key.
• National Marine Science Centre & CHEC: Please email your disposal request to propertyservices@scu.edu.au.