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.

Share materials with child sites

When cascade is available and the site has child sites, create and edit forms include Share with Child Sites. New materials are shared by default. Open child sites can view shared materials as read-only inherited records; sealed child sites do not. For the full cascade model across Risks, see Share risks content with child sites.

How to Create a Hazardous Material Record

1. Go to Risks in the main navigation and open Hazardous Materials

2. Click New Hazardous Material

3. 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

   • PPE Requirements — select one or more from the standard PPE list. Each selected requirement appears as a pictogram with its label on the detail page, scan view, and register.

   • PPE Notes — optional free-text notes for additional detail such as respirator rating or glove type.

4. 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

PPE requirement types

CalmCompliance supports the following standard PPE requirements. You can select any combination for a single material.

• Head Protection

• Eye Protection

• Ear Protection

• Respiratory Protection

• Face Mask

• Face Protection

• Hand Protection

• Foot Protection

• Protective Clothing

• High-Visibility Clothing

• Fall Protection (Safety Harness)

How to filter the register by classification

1. Go to Risks > Hazardous Materials

2. Open the filter controls

3. 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.

1. Open the hazardous material record from the Hazardous Materials list

2. On the Details tab, find the attachments area

3. 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.

1. Go to Settings > QR Code Printing

2. Open the Hazardous Materials tab

3. Select the materials you want to print, or use Select All

4. Switch to the Preview tab to check the layout. The preview shows each material’s name and its classification pictograms.

5. Click Print QR Codes in the top-right corner

6. 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, PPE requirements, storage guidance, document download, and supplier contact. No login is required.

1. Open your phone's camera app and point it at the QR code

2. Tap the notification that appears

3. 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.

How to Edit PPE Requirements on an Existing Material

Open any hazardous material record and find the PPE Required section on the detail page. Click the section to enter edit mode, select the PPE requirements that apply, and add any notes in the Notes field. Click Save to keep the changes, or Cancel to discard them.

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.

Where PPE Data Appears

PPE requirements and notes are shown in four places:

• Detail page — the PPE Required section on the material record shows selected requirements as pictograms with labels, plus any notes.

• Scan view — scanning the material's QR code shows a PPE Required card when PPE data exists.

• Hazardous materials register — the table includes a PPE Required column with PPE icons.

• Export — spreadsheet exports include a PPE Required column with human-readable labels.