Colour Rating System FAQ
What are ChemAlert Reports?
ChemAlert Reports are comprehensive, independently researched, toxicological and chemical evaluations
of products, presented in a user-friendly format. ChemAlert reports provide information in relation to:
chemical ingredients; health hazards; precautions for use, safe handling, storage and transportation; and
emergency and first aid requirements.
What is the Colour Rating System?
RMT have adopted a distinct colour rating system to allow for easy interpretation of the potential hazard
associated with chemical substances. The three distinct colours include the following:
n Green Colour Rating = Low Hazard
n Amber Colour Rating = Moderate Hazard
n Red Colour Rating = High Hazard
Coupled with the assignment of a colour rating, personal protective equipment graphics are also displayed
for each product where appropriate. Both visual indicators serve to provide the user without chemical
experience a basic guide to risk assessment. These visual indicators also serve as educational tools for
individuals with a poor grasp of the English language.
Who Compiles ChemAlert Reports?
RMT employ chemists, toxicologists, occupational physicians and hygienists with specialised skills to
assist with the compilation of ChemAlert Reports.
Information is researched from current national and international chemical and toxicological studies, and
where appropriate from industrial experience, and legislative standards and requirements.
How is a Colour Rating Assigned?
The following outlines the criteria addressed in order to assign one of three colour ratings:
n Chemical ingredients
n Product form (i.e. solid, liquid, or gas);
n Potential route of exposure (i.e. eye, respiratory, skin absorption, ingestion);
n Inherent toxicity of chemical ingredients (i.e. physiological effects - acute and chronic,
carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, reproductive effects – Additive and Synergistic effects
are also taking into account);
n Irritancy and corrosive nature (i.e. mild irritation versus corrosive damage, reversible or irreversible);
n Dose/Response (i.e. concentration required to cause a toxic response: LD50, LCLo, TC50, TCLo, etc.);
n Exposure Standard (i.e. Time Weighted Average - TLV; STEL; IDLH);
n Chemical reactivity (i.e. spontaneously explosive, radioactive, etc.);
n Flammability (i.e. flammable, non-flammable, combustible); and
n Legislative requirements (i.e. Poison Schedule Classification, Dangerous Goods Classification,
Hazardous Substances Classification).
A scale is adopted for each of these criteria. The relevant information is then considered in the overall
hazard the product presents to the safety of the individual intending to handle the product.
ChemAlert Colour Rating System FAQ continued…
Example
The following is an example of how a Colour Rating may be assigned to a product:
Product: Hydrofluoric Acid
Exposure Standard: TWA: 3 ppm (2.6 mg/m3);
Chemical ingredients: Hydrofluoric acid (~50%);
Chemical reactivity: Strong oxidising agent
Product form: Liquid;
(destroys living/organic tissue);
Potential route of exposure: Eye, inhalation, skin
Flammability: Non-flammable, however flammable
and ingestion.
hydrogen gas forms upon contact with metals;
Inherent toxicity of chemical ingredients:
Legislative requirements:
Exposure may result in lung damage; burning
§ Poison Schedule 7: Require license to obtain;
sensation (corrosive effects may be delayed), bone
§ UN Number: 1790; Dangerous Good Class: 8
damage (osteosclerosis, skeletal fluorosis) and
(Corrosive); Subsidiary risk: 6.1; Packaging
ligament damage. Potentially fatal via inhalation,
Group: I (High danger);
skin contact or ingestion.
§ Classified as Hazardous according to
Irritancy and corrosive nature: Highly corrosive,
NOHSC Criteria:
irreversible damage.
§ R26/27/28 (very toxic),
Dose / Response: Fatal dose: 1 gram; TCLo:
§ R35 (causes severe burns).
100mg/m3/1hr (man); LCLo: 20 ppm/ 30 mins;
OVERALL COLOUR RATING: RED: HIGH HAZARD
ChemAlert Colour Ratings
RMT have adopted a distinct colour rating system to allow for easy interpretation of the hazard associated
with chemical substances. The three distinct colours and their meaning are as follows:
Green
Low Hazard
Amber
Moderate
Hazard
Red
High Hazard
This product presents a Low hazard with normal use. User Check List:
¨ Read the ChemAlert Report thoroughly before using the product
¨ Clarify any concerns you might have about the product or its application
¨ If PPE is specified, are workers experienced in its use?
This product presents a Moderate hazard with normal use. User Check List:
¨ Read the ChemAlert report thoroughly before using the product
¨ Clarify any concerns you might have about the product or its application
¨ Is there a safer substitute?
¨ Is the area adequately ventilated?
¨ Does the area of application need to be isolated?
¨ Is air monitoring required to evaluate exposure levels?
¨ Have safe work practices or procedures been established?
¨ If PPE is specified, are workers experienced in its use?
This product presents a High hazard with normal use. User Check List:
¨ Read the ChemAlert report thoroughly before using the product
¨ Clarify any concerns you might have about the product or its application
¨ Does the product need to be used (can the product or task be eliminated)?
¨ Is there a safer substitute?
¨ Is the area adequately ventilated?
¨ Does the area of application need to be isolated?
¨ Is there a first aid officer or nurse available?
¨ Is air monitoring requires to evaluate exposure levels?
¨ Have safe work practices or procedures been established?
¨ Are medical records kept for those handling this product?
¨ If PPE is specified, are workers experienced in its use?