Potentially contaminated shipments of oleyl diamine

Comcare has received confirmed reports of potentially contaminated or incorrectly labelled shipments of oleyl diamine, a chemical used to prepare ethoxylated products, acid thickener, cationic surfactants and to flush and disperse pigments (yellow pigment).

Employees, contractors and individuals who are exposed, or have the potential to be exposed, to oleyl diamine should be aware that the flashpoint of this product may reduce from over 150 °C to less than 35 °C.

This is determined in accordance with AS 1940-2004 'The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids'.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 requires employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety at work of the employer’s employees and contractors. A breach can occur if an employer fails to take all reasonably practicable steps to:

• Provide and maintain a working environment that provides adequate facilities for the welfare at work of employees and contractors;
• Protect the health and safety of employees and those at or near their place of work;
• Take appropriate action to monitor the health and safety at work of employees and contractors; or
• Take appropriate action to monitor the conditions of the workplaces under the employer’s control.

Comcare recommends that the product should be treated as being flammable until it is established that it is not. It also recommends applying part 1 of the OHS Code 2008, Risk Management.

Anyone who encounters this product is encouraged to report the circumstances of contact with this product, where it is determined or suspected to have a flashpoint lower than that specified in the accompanying Materials Safety Data Sheet or equivalent, to a Comcare investigator immediately.

The obligation to notify Comcare of OHS-related events and the associated accompanying information required as set out in the Act and Regulations still applies.