Manage hazardous materials
The hazardous materials register in the Risks module lets you track substances, attach photos and documents and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and open records from the field with QR codes. Each material can have multiple hazard classifications, each shown with a standard pictogram.
Before You Start
You need the Risks module enabled for your site. To create or edit hazardous material records, you need the appropriate module role for the Risks module.
How to Create a Hazardous Material Record
Go to Risks in the main navigation and open Hazardous Materials
Click New Hazardous Material
Enter the material details:
Name
Classifications — select one or more from the standard hazard list. Each selected classification is shown as a pictogram alongside its name on the register, detail page, and scan view.
Description
Supplier and Contact Details
Storage and Control Measures
Recommendations
Save the record. The app opens the detail page, where you can add attachments and view the QR code.
Hazard classification types
CalmCompliance supports the following standard classifications. You can select any combination for a single material.
Explosive
Flammable
Oxidising
Gas Under Pressure
Corrosive
Acute Toxicity
Harmful
Serious Health Hazard
Environmental Hazard
Biological
Radioactive
How to filter the register by classification
Go to Risks > Hazardous Materials
Open the filter controls
Choose one or more classifications. The list updates to show any material that matches at least one selected classification.
How to Attach Photos and Documents
Each hazardous material record has a detail page with file attachments. Upload images so staff can recognise materials quickly on site, and attach PDFs or other documents such as safety data sheets.
Open the hazardous material record from the Hazardous Materials list
On the Details tab, find the attachments area
Upload images, PDFs, or other documents for this material
How to Print QR Codes for Hazardous Materials
Each material record has a QR code that opens the record on a phone. You can print QR codes for one or many materials from the QR Code Printing settings. The preview shows each material’s name and its classification pictograms.
Go to Settings > QR Code Printing
Open the Hazardous Materials tab
Select the materials you want to print, or use Select All
Switch to the Preview tab to check the layout. The preview shows each material’s name and its classification pictograms.
Click Print QR Codes in the top-right corner
In your browser's print dialog, set Scale to 100% and Margins to None
For more details on presets, test printing, and alignment, see Printing QR Codes.
How to Scan a QR Code in the Field
Scanning a QR code on a hazardous material label opens a mobile-friendly page with classifications, pictograms, storage guidance, document download, and supplier contact. No login is required.
Open your phone's camera app and point it at the QR code
Tap the notification that appears
View the material record directly in your browser
For more details on scanning with the in-app scanner or troubleshooting scan issues, see QR Code Scanning Workflow.
Common Questions
Do I need the CalmCompliance app to scan QR codes?
No. Most phones scan QR codes with the built-in camera app. No app or login is required to view a hazardous material record from its QR code.
Can I print QR codes on plain paper instead of labels?
Yes. Use Save as PDF in the print dialog, then print on plain paper and cut out the codes. Good for testing or temporary use.
What happens to attached files if I delete a hazardous material record?
Deleting a hazardous material record removes the record and its attachments. Before deleting, you will see a confirmation dialog with Don't Remove and Delete Hazardous Material options.
What happens to exports when a material has multiple classifications?
When you export the hazardous materials grid, the classification column lists each selected classification as a comma-separated label.