Storage of dangerous substances and equipment policy.

Aim

• To ensure the centre has procedures that are consistently implemented to ensure clear labelling and safe storage of medications, detergents/cleaning products, garden chemicals and other potentially dangerous products.

• To ensure that staff respond using correct first aid procedure in case of swallowing, inhalation or contact with potentially dangerous products.

• To minimise the use of toxic products and other potentially dangerous products without compromising hygiene practises.

• When purchasing, storing and/or using any dangerous chemicals, substances, medicines or equipment, our service will:

  • Select and make use of the least hazardous substance or equipment.

  • Aim to purchase and make use of substances which have child resistant lids or caps. Educators will ensure that such lids or caps are properly fixed at all times.

  • Adhere at all times to manufacturer's advice and instructions when using products to clean furniture and equipment at the service.

  • Ensure dangerous substances/ chemicals are supplied with SDS (Safety Data Sheets)

  • Keep a register of all hazardous chemicals, substances and equipment used at the service.

  • Store all dangerous chemicals, substances and medicines in their original containers provided by the manufacturer. All labels and/or use by dates should be kept intact at all times. Any substance found to be stored in a different container than originally provided, or with destroyed labels and/or unknown use by dates where appropriate will not be used under any circumstances. Containers should be disposed of correctly following local council guidelines, and not reused under any circumstances.

  • All dangerous chemicals, substances and equipment must be stored in a locked place or facility which is labelled, secure and inaccessible to children. These materials may include, but are not limited to, all cleaning materials, detergents, poisonous or dangerous substances, dangerous tools and equipment including those with sharp and razor edges and toiletries.

  • Educators should follow the instructions of manufacturers, particularly of any product which may need to be stored in a refrigerated environment pursuant to the aforementioned directives.

  • Particularly dangerous and hazardous materials such as pesticides, herbicides, petroleum, kerosene, solvents, and equipment which is operated by an engine or hazardous to children, will be stored in a locked facility external to the main building of the service. The facility must have bonded floor and be inaccessible to children clearly labelled as storing dangerous substances and/or equipment. Such facilities should be separate from children's play or outdoor environments.

  • All hazardous containers and equipment should be properly discarded pursuant to local council guidelines.

  • Any substances that need to be refrigerated must be stored in a labelled, child resistant container, preferably in a separate compartment or in a part of the refrigerator inaccessible to children.

  • Educators will wear appropriate personal protective clothing recommended on the manufacturer’s instructions

  • regularly implement the Poison Safety Checklist attached to this policy or on the centres app to ensure we protect the health and safety of all children and adults at the service.

Implementation:

Medications

• All medications must be in their original container and clearly labelled with the name of the medication, the child’s name, expiry date and dosage instructions. All medications will be kept out of children’s reach as per the Medications Policy.

Detergents/Cleaning Products

• All detergents, cleaning products and other potentially dangerous products will be stored in locked areas which are inaccessible to children.

• Warning signs are posted where potentially dangerous products are stored.

• All detergents and cleaning products are kept in their original packaging or containers and are clearly labelled.

• Detergent and warm water buckets are clearly labelled and kept out of reach of children at all times.

• We will minimise the use of toxic products and other potentially dangerous products without compromising hygiene practises by only using chemicals and cleaning products as stated in the policies:

• Blood and Body Fluids Precaution Policy

• Hygiene and Centre Policy on Cleanliness and Maintaining the Environment

• Nappy Change Policy.

Dangerous Materials

All dangerous materials including garden products, and gardening equipment i.e., leaf blower will be stored in the outdoor shed on a high shelf out of the children’s reach. The shed is to remain locked at all times while there are children on the premises. All staff are required to keep their personal bags which may contain toiletries/medications on an upper shelf in a locked storeroom which is locked and inaccessible to the children at all times. All first aid items are to be stored in the first aid cupboard which is locked and out of reach for children. The outdoor first aid items are to be stored in the shed which is locked at all times. All sharp or jagged objects i.e., knives, scissors etc. which may pose a hazard to the children are stored safely out of reach from the children. In the example of scissors children will have supervised access to child safe scissors throughout the day. All medications that require refrigeration will be stored in the fridge in the kitchen which is inaccessible to children at all times.

Dangerous Products

Kitchens

• Children must not gain access to any harmful substance, equipment, or amenity.

• The kitchen has a door, half-gate, or other barrier to prevent unsupervised entry by children into the kitchen.

• The preparation of bottles for children under the age of 2 years is both safe and hygienic at all times and separate from nappy change area.

FIRST AID PROCEDURE FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PRODUCTS

If you think the child has swallowed anything poisonous call the POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE 131126 and an Ambulance "000". For all First Aid treatment always follow DRSABCD.

• immediately ring the emergency services on 000 if there is any major emergency involving a hazardous chemical or equipment, a gas, fire or explosion hazard

• implement the first aid procedures in the Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy, and if required the emergency procedures in the Emergency Management and Evacuation Policy, if a child or any other person is injured by a chemical, substance or equipment .

Swallowed Chemicals

1. Call Poisons Information Centre - 131126

2. Do Not try to make the child vomit as this can cause further harm.

3. Wipe away any residual chemical around the mouth and face.

4. Find out what chemical the child swallowed and tell the Poisons Information Centre to help them determine the correct medical treatment. Keep the container to show a doctor.

5. If the child loses consciousness, place them in the recovery position. Assess their condition. Be prepared to resuscitate. If breathing, leave child in recovery position. Call 000 for an ambulance.

Drug Poisoning

6. Call Poisons Information Centre - 131126

7. Do Not try to make the child vomit as this can cause further harm. If the child is sick, keep a sample to show a doctor.

8. Try to find out when the child took the medication and how much was swallowed. Examine the label on the medication bottle and give the information to the Poisons Information Centre.

9. If the child is unconscious call 000 for an ambulance. Place the child in the recovery position. Open the child’s mouth and hook out with a finger any drugs you can see. Check breathing and pulse and be prepared to resuscitate. If the child is breathing leave them in the recovery position and stay with them until help arrives.

Chemical Burns to Skin

Recognising Chemical burns

• Fierce, stinging pain

• Redness or staining followed by

• Blistering and peeling

1. If chemical has been spilt on clothing, cut off clothing from the affected area, unless you can slip it off without touching other parts of the body.

2. Call 000 for an ambulance - notify parent/guardian wash away all traces of the chemical by holding the affected area under cool running water for at least 20 minutes.

Chemical Burns to Eyes

Recognising chemical burns to the eye

• Fierce pain in eye

• Difficulty opening eye

• Redness and swelling

• CALL 000 for an ambulance - notify parent/guardian.

• DO NOT let the child rub the eye. The eye will be shut in spasm and pain, so gently pull the eyelids open.

1. Hold the child over the basin or bath and gently run cold water over the contaminated eye for at least 20 minutes. Make sure that both sides of the eyelid are thoroughly washed and that the water drains away from the child’s face and other eye.

2. When the injured eye is thoroughly washed, cover it with a sterile eye pad or dressing. Bandage the pad in place and secure this with tape.

In the Event of a Spill

Procedure

• Remove children from the area.

• Contain the spill. Ensure that it is cleaned up thoroughly and promptly.

• Approach with care when cleaning. Some chemicals may lack colour or odours but may still be dangerous. Never assume a chemical is harmless.

• Identify chemicals and potential hazards by using the appropriate Safety Data Sheet.

• Use the manufacturer's recommendations to clean up the spill appropriately.

• Decontaminate any equipment or clothing associated with the spill.

• Dispose of any equipment should the spill have made it unsafe for further use.

• Reflect on procedures to analyse how this incident occurred and how the incident could be prevented in the future.

The Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor will:

• notify the appropriate Workplace Health and Safety Authority if there is any major emergency involving a hazardous chemical or equipment, a gas, fire or explosion hazard or a child or any other person is seriously injured by a chemical, substance or equipment.

Source: Education and Care Services National Regulations

Staying Healthy - Preventing Infectious Diseases in Early Childhood Education and Care

Services (6th edition)

St. John Ambulance Australia: Australian First Aid

National Quality Standard

Centre Support

Poison Safety Checklist

Month: _________________________

Educators Name: __________________________________

Educators Signature: __________________________________

This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.