Purchasing, Handling and Storage

Purpose

A lot of WHS risk on a remedial and painting job is bought in or stored on site. This procedure covers how RPD buys, receives, handles, stores and disposes of those items — hazardous substances, paints, solvents, silica-generating materials, plant, equipment, PPE, deliveries, manual handling and waste.

Procedure

Field	Requirement
Applies when	RPD purchases, hires, receives, stores, uses, moves or disposes of plant, equipment, tools, chemicals, materials, PPE, consumables or waste.
Owner	Project Manager approves project purchases and hire. Site Supervisor checks delivery, storage and site use. Workers and subcontractors follow SDS, SWMS and site storage rules.
Before work starts	Confirm the item is suitable for the task, required SDS is available, storage is safe, manual handling risks are controlled, plant/equipment records are current and any hazardous substance or dangerous goods requirement is understood.
Minimum controls	Buy fit-for-purpose items, check supplier information, obtain SDS, label containers, segregate incompatible substances, secure storage, control manual handling, inspect plant/equipment before use and manage waste safely.
Hold point	Do not bring a hazardous substance, plant item, powered tool or hire equipment onto site until SDS, inspection, competency, storage and SWMS requirements are confirmed.
Breadcrumb function	SDS, hazardous substances register, plant and equipment records, plant/operator inductions, permits, pre-starts, site alerts and incident/hazard reports where storage or handling creates a risk.
Stop / escalate	Stop use where an item is damaged, unlabelled, lacks SDS, is incompatible with site storage, creates uncontrolled exposure, or has missing plant/equipment evidence. Escalate repeat or high-risk issues into PIMS.

Purchasing and Hire Checks

Item	Check before purchase or hire
Hazardous substances	SDS current, suitable controls, ventilation, PPE, storage, spill response and disposal method.
Paints, solvents, membranes, adhesives and sealants	SDS, flammability, fumes, skin contact, compatibility, curing requirements and occupied-building controls.
Silica-containing materials	Cutting/grinding/drilling method, dust suppression, extraction, respiratory protection and waste controls.
Plant, powered tools and equipment	Fit for task, guarding, inspection/service records, electrical test status, operator competency and SWMS controls.
PPE	Correct type, standard, fit, compatibility with task and replacement requirements.
Manual handling items	Weight, shape, delivery point, mechanical aid, team lift, access path and storage height.

Handling and Storage

Materials must be stored so they do not create fire, spill, trip, collapse, exposure, access or public-interface risks. Storage must suit occupied buildings, residents, common areas, loading zones, roof areas, scaffolds and restricted access sites.

Hazardous substances must stay in labelled containers. Decanted products must be labelled. Incompatible substances must be separated. Spill controls must be available where spills could enter drains, occupied areas or public spaces.

Waste from demolition, breakout, painting, lead paint, silica work, waterproofing and hazardous substances must be managed under the SWMS, SDS and client/site waste requirements. Do not dry sweep silica-containing dust. Do not dispose of hazardous waste through general waste unless approved by the Project Manager.

Records and Evidence

Record	System / location	Evidence required
SDS and hazardous substances register	Breadcrumb	Current SDS, product name, supplier, issue date, risk controls and storage requirements.
Plant and equipment records	Breadcrumb	Item details, inspection/service status, operator induction, test/tag where required and pre-start evidence.
Purchase or hire records	Project file	Supplier, item, scope, hire period, certificates, instructions and relevant WHS conditions.
Storage and handling controls	Breadcrumb / project file	Site inspection, photos, permit, SWMS controls or storage plan where required.
Waste disposal evidence	Project file	Disposal docket, waste classification or contractor evidence where required.
Hazard or incident related to purchasing/storage	Breadcrumb / PIMS where formal	Report, immediate action, corrective action and escalation where required.
Corrective actions and non-conformances	PIMS	Formal finding, root cause, action, close-out and effectiveness check.

Quick Guide

Step	What RPD checks
1. Buy suitable items	Confirm the item is fit for the task and the site conditions.
2. Get the SDS	Do not use hazardous substances unless the SDS is available and controls are understood.
3. Check plant and tools	Confirm inspection, service, electrical test status and operator competency before use.
4. Store safely	Keep materials secure, labelled, separated, stable and clear of access, residents and emergency routes.
5. Control exposure	Apply SWMS and SDS controls for fumes, dust, lead, silica, asbestos unexpected finds, skin contact and spills.
6. Manage manual handling	Plan deliveries, access paths, lifts, trolleys, team lifts and storage height.
7. Dispose correctly	Follow SDS, SWMS, client and legal requirements for waste.
8. Escalate unsafe items	Stop use and record the issue where evidence, labelling, storage, controls or condition is not acceptable.