Who must maintain Hazardous Chemicals Register + manifest (WHS Reg)?

PCBUs handling hazardous chemicals must maintain a register + (above threshold) a manifest.

Model WHS Regulations Chapter 7 require PCBUs handling hazardous chemicals to: identify, maintain a register (SDS + quantities), maintain a manifest if quantities exceed Schedule 11 thresholds, notify the regulator + manage risks (control + storage + emergency planning).

Applies when the business has industry: Manufacturing / Mining & resources / Agriculture, forestry & fishing. Where the business has industry: Construction (residential & commercial), check whether you use, handle or store hazardous chemicals.

How the regulator frames it: PCBUs handling hazardous chemicals above prescribed thresholds.

What triggers it: Holding hazardous chemicals.

Jurisdiction: Commonwealth law, so the test is the same in every state and territory.

Outcome across the 35 industries Rules Mate maps (3 of 35: yes; 1 of 35: only if a further fact applies; 31 of 35: no).

Structure does not change the answer in the 4 industries it can reach: for every structure the answer is "depends on size or structure".

Size does not change the answer in the 4 industries it can reach: at every size band the answer is "depends on size or structure".

Each line is one run of the Rules Mate applicability engine for a single business profile, with the reason the engine gives:

• Pty Ltd company in manufacturing with 6–19 employees, turnover $1M–$3M: applies. Industry: Manufacturing.
• Pty Ltd company in real estate agents with 6–19 employees, turnover $1M–$3M: does not apply. Requires industry: Manufacturing / Mining & resources / Agriculture, forestry & fishing.
• Pty Ltd company in construction (residential & commercial) with 6–19 employees, turnover $1M–$3M: check whether it applies. applies only if you use, handle or store hazardous chemicals.

The engine shows this obligation as "check whether this applies" when a business has industry: Construction (residential & commercial). It then applies only if you use, handle or store hazardous chemicals. That fact is not something Rules Mate can infer from industry, structure or size.

When due

Continuous; manifest update on quantity change.

Frequency

Ongoing

Evidence to keep

Hazardous chemicals register; manifest; SDS; regulator notification.

Status

Current

Priority

Critical

Maximum penalty: WHS penalties + Cat 1/2/3 exposure for serious breach.

Rules Mate has not yet classified the audit or assurance level for this obligation. Any audit, review or certification requirement is set by the regulator source listed below.

• Asbestos management — workplace + dwelling rules (state): Asbestos work requires licensed asbestos removalist + asbestos management plan.
• Comply with the respirable crystalline silica workplace exposure limit (0.05 mg/m³): From 1 December 2026 the 0.05 mg/m³ silica standard becomes a legally binding workplace exposure limit (WEL).
• Hold a Construction Induction (White Card) before construction site work: All construction site workers must have completed nationally recognised induction training (CPCWHS1001).
• Manage psychosocial hazards at work: WHS duty extends to psychosocial hazards — workload, bullying, harassment, role conflict.
• Hold a High Risk Work Licence for HRWL classes: Forklift, crane, scaffolding, dogging, rigging, EWP and other high-risk work requires a HRWL.

Across the 1,890 business profiles Rules Mate evaluates, these obligations apply to most of the businesses this one applies to, and are far more common among them than among businesses generally:

• Comply with the respirable crystalline silica workplace exposure limit (0.05 mg/m³): applies to 67% of the same businesses (7.8× the overall rate)

Rules Mate tracks 28 published obligations tagged "whs", 23 of them rated critical. For a professional services Pty Ltd company with 6–19 employees operating in every state, 16 of those apply outright. This obligation is rated critical priority and carries criminal liability, and is an ongoing duty.

Regulated by Safe Work Australia.

Safe Work Australia: Develops national WHS policy, model WHS laws, and codes of practice. Enforcement of WHS laws sits with state/territory regulators.

• Safe Work Australia

Model WHS Act: Model federal WHS Act adopted (with variations) in NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, ACT, NT, Commonwealth (Comcare).

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (model)

Free tools that help with this obligation:

• Payday Super readiness
• Right to Disconnect policy
• WGEA readiness