Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

238.   Inventory of chemicals and physical agents

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    (1)   An employer shall make or cause to be made and shall maintain an inventory of all hazardous chemicals and all hazardous physical agents that are present in the workplace.

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    (2)   The inventory required under subsection (1)—

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      (a)     shall contain such information as may be prescribed, and in addition shall include—

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        (i)     toxic properties, including both acute and chronic health effects to any part of the body,

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        (ii)     chemical or physical characteristics, including flammable, explosive, oxidizing and dangerously reactive properties,

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        (iii)     corrosive and irritant properties,

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        (iv)     allergenic and sensitizing effects,

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        (v)     carcinogenic effects,

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        (vi)     teratogenic and mutagenic effects,

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        (vii)     effects on the reproductive system;

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      (b)     shall be prepared in consultation with the committee or safety and health representative, if any, for the workplace or with an employee selected by the employees to represent them, if there is no committee or safety and health representative.

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    (3)   Where an inventory required by subsection (1), is amended during a year, the employer, not later than the first day of February in the following year, shall prepare a revised version of the inventory incorporating all changes made during the preceding year.

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    (4)   Where an employer is required to identify or obtain the identity of the ingredients of a hazardous chemical, the employer shall not be in contravention of this Act if the employer has made every effort reasonable in the circumstances to identify or obtain the identity of the ingredients, but has been unable to do so due to circumstances beyond the employer's control.

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    (5)   An employer shall advise the Department of Labour in writing if, after making reasonable efforts, the employer is unable to identify or obtain the identity of the ingredients of a hazardous chemical as required under this Act.

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    (6)   Except as may be prescribed, subsection (1) does not apply to an employer who undertakes to perform work or supply services on a construction site in respect of chemicals to be used on the site.

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    (7)   The employer shall keep readily accessible at the workplace a floor plan showing the names of all hazardous chemicals and their locations and shall post a notice stating where the floor plan is kept in a place or places where it is most likely to come to the attention of employees.