The below folders contain SDS and hazardous chemical information, relating to each CA pool contract. Below these is some information about using SDS documents. Bellingen and Dorrigo Pools use the same chemicals, and therefore can share the same unique SDS/ Hazardous chemical information.
Special Note: Common Chemicals used in Commercial Swimming Pools are below.
- Sodium Hypochlorite (Liquid Chlorine): Most common primary sanitiser for large pools; easy automated dosing; provides free chlorine; corrosive.
- Calcium Hypochlorite (Granular/Dry Chlorine): Used for shock dosing or manual addition; high available chlorine; increases calcium hardness; oxidising and corrosive.
- Stabilised Chlorine (e.g., Trichloroisocyanuric Acid – Trichlor; Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate – Dichlor): Tablets/granules with cyanuric acid stabiliser; protects chlorine from UV degradation in outdoor pools; common in commercial settings; oxidising.
- Hydrochloric Acid (Pool Acid/Muriatic Acid): Lowers pH and total alkalinity; highly corrosive; essential for balancing after chlorine addition.
- Sodium Bisulphate (Dry Acid): Alternative to hydrochloric acid for pH reduction; milder but still acidic; used to avoid liquid handling risks.
- Cyanuric Acid: Stabiliser added to protect chlorine in outdoor pools; prevents rapid UV breakdown; must be monitored to avoid over-stabilisation.
- Sodium Bicarbonate: Raises total alkalinity and pH; buffers water to prevent fluctuations.
- Calcium Chloride: Increases calcium hardness; prevents corrosion of pool surfaces/equipment in soft water areas.
- Sodium Thiosulphate: Dechlorinator/neutraliser for super-chlorination or draining; reduces chlorine levels quickly.
Using SDS Sheets for Chemicals Safety
Why are Safety Data Sheets Important?
The SDS provides critical information about hazardous substances and chemicals. It’s important to read and understand SDSs for products used at your facility. SDS information is located within all plantroom and at facility POS area (with staff resources).
The ultimate purpose of an SDS is to provide information for the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances. Understanding the SDS helps you assess and minimize your risks so you can safely handle hazardous substances. Staff should always familiarise themself with the hazards of a product before using it, make sure to know the hazards, understand how to store and safely handle the hazardous product – and what to do in an emergency.
The 16 Sections of SDS are?
- Identification
- Hazard Identification
- Composition/Information on Ingredients
- First-Aid Measures
- Fire Fighting Measures
- Accidental Release Measures
- Handling and Storage
- Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
- Physical and Chemical Properties
- Stability and Reactivity
- Toxicological Information
- Ecological Information
- Disposal Considerations
- Transport Information
- Regulatory Information
- Other Information
NOTE: There is valuable information in each section. Staff should always read the entire SDS, however the most critical information for staff health and safety is found in:
- Section 2: Hazard identification
- Section 4: First aid measures
- Section 7: Handling and storage
- Section 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
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Section 1 – Identification |
Contains the product identifier or trade name, contact details of the manufacturer or importer responsible for supplying the chemical, and the telephone number to contact in case of an emergency. The information in this section should be consistent with the label. |
| Section 2 – Hazard(s) Identification | Gives details on the potential health and physical hazards of the chemical. This information can be used to help assess the risks to the health and safety of workers, other people, and the environment. The information in this section should be consistent with the information on the label. In some cases, there may be more information on the SDS than on the label. |
| Section 3 – Composition and information on ingredients | If the chemical is a mixture, this section should provide the information on the identity and proportions of hazardous ingredients in the mixture. |
| Section 4 – First Aid measures | Describes the necessary first aid measures to be taken in case of an accident. |
| Section 5 – Firefighting measures | Gives specific information on fighting a fire involving the chemical, including the most suitable extinguishing media and other protective measures.
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| Section 6 – Accidental release measures | Describes what actions need to be taken if there is an accidental release or spill of the chemical to minimise adverse effects on people, property and the environment. |
| Section 7 – Handling and storage | Contains details on how to handle and store the chemical safely to minimise the potential risks to people, property and the environment. |
| Section 8 – Exposure controls and personal protection | Provides information on control measures that can be used to reduce exposure, for example, engineering controls, information on exposure standards and guidance on required personal protective equipment (PPE). |
| Section 9 – Physical and chemical properties | Provides detailed information on the physical and chemical properties of the chemical, for example, appearance, odour, pH, flash point, melting/boiling point or any other relevant physical data. |
| Section 10 – Stability and reactivity | Contains details of any hazardous reactions that may occur if the chemical is used under certain conditions and details of any incompatible materials. |
| Section 11 – Toxicological information | Provides detailed information on the toxicological properties of the chemical. This section is used primarily by medical professionals, toxicologists and WHS professionals. |
| Section 12 – Ecological information | Provides detailed information on the ecological hazard properties of the chemical. |
| Section 13 – Disposal considerations | Explains how the chemical should be disposed of correctly or recycled or reclaimed. |
| Section 14 – Transport information | Contains basic classification information like UN number and transport hazard classes and packing groups that relate to the transport of the chemical by road, rail, sea or air. |
| Section 15 – Regulatory information | Provides advice on other international or national regulatory information specific to the chemical, such as the Montreal protocol (ozone depleting substances), the Stockholm Convention (Persistent organic pollutants), Poisons scheduling or any other applicable Australian prohibition, notification or licensing requirements. |
| Section 16 – Any other relevant information | Provides any other information relevant to the preparation of the SDS, including the date of its preparation, a key or legend to abbreviations acronyms and references used. |