Chemical User Codes: Can you tell me how I can access the most up-to-date version of the Chemical Safety in Schools (CSIS) Manual? I have noticed that some of your user codes are different to those given in the CSIS package. Should I use your user codes or CSIS codes; which is correct? Should the CSIS user codes be included on GHS labels?
Submitted by sat on 25 May 2016
Answer reviewed 9 February 2023
The Chemical Safety in Schools Package (CSIS)1 is a resource developed by the NSW Department of Education to help schools meet their legislative requirements under the WHS Act and Regulations, and provides information on the safe use and handling of chemicals. The CSIS Package is available online1 via the Department’s intranet to staff in government schools in NSW. Access to the CSIS package may also available to Independent and Catholic schools under a licence agreement. You are advised to contact the NSW Department of Education for further information regarding current access.
The CSIS package includes a colour-coded user code system, whereby a user code is assigned for each chemical which may be used in NSW government schools. The user code signifies the teaching level at and below which the chemical is deemed to be suitable for use. Bottles of the chemical can be marked with a coloured dot corresponding to the user code, which acts as a quick visual reference in the classroom and storage areas. This is a departmental requirement, in addition to the minimum labelling requirements mandated by the health and safety regulators.
If your school is not a NSW Department of Education school, you need to follow the policies of your school sector. NSW schools which are not in the government school system, but are using the CSIS package, may decide to use the CSIS colour-coded system.
Science ASSIST has assigned user codes to the chemicals in the List of recommended chemicals for science in Australian schools.2 These codes have been assigned independently of the CSIS user codes, taking into consideration the hazards of the chemicals as well as curriculum requirements. For many chemicals, you will find that they match the user codes in the CSIS for the same chemical.
The decision as to whether to use a chemical should always be based upon a local or site-specific risk assessment, which takes into consideration school facilities, staff training and student behaviour.
1 NSW Department of Education, ‘Chemical Safety in Schools (CSIS)’ resource package. NSW DoE website, https://education.nsw.gov.au/ DoE Intranet, login required.
2 Science ASSIST. (2021). List of recommended chemicals for science in Australian schools 2021, Retrieved from the Science ASSIST website, https://assist.asta.edu.au/resource/4669/list-recommended-chemicals-science-australian-schools-2021