THE REPORTER | Volume 25, Issue 11 1 President’s Letter Hazmat & Environment Notes Chemistry in Australia Centenary Congress RACI Vic Branch Centenary Ball Vic Branch AGM 41 st Annual Synthesis Symposium HLM’s Presentation & Retirees Lunch HS&E Group Christmas Party Other Upcoming Victorian Events December / January 2016 / 2017 The Reporter Volume 25, Issue 11 CHEMISTRY AROUND AUSTRALIA IN THIS ISSUE It has been a month of much hyped elections, with the momentous election of committee and executive positions for the Victorian Branch being over-shadowed by the trifling affair in America. I am pleased to not be the most controversial presidential appointment (hopefully). The new committee, ratified at last month’s AGM, is as follows: President: David Turner Vice-President: Milena Dryza Secretary: Brittany Howard Immediate Past President: Kay Latham Treasurer: Richard Thwaites Committee Members: Colin Allison, Trent Ashton, John Franceschini, Greg Dicinoski, Yvonne Mah, Rajesh Ramanathan and Ian Thomas. After many years on the committee, including in the executive, Brian Salter-Duke has decided to leave and will be missed. The committee is pleased to welcome Trent and Rajesh as new members this year, with fresh faces always needed to reinvigorate the committee for the year ahead. I’m privileged to take on the role of branch president, although daunted by replacing Kay Latham who has been outstanding in the position over the last two years. Kay brought an infectious enthusiasm to the role and has been particularly active in gearing up the branch for the impending RACI centennial year. I am immensely thankful that Kay remains on the committee as immediate past- president to provide counsel in the months ahead. Thank you! At this point I should probably introduce myself, as you will be hearing quite a bit from me over the next couple of years. Originally trained in the UK as a supramolecular chemist, I am currently a senior lecturer at Monash University working in the broad areas of supramolecular and coordination chemistry, with a particular interest in metal-organic frameworks and polyhedra. I’ve been involved with the branch committee for the past three years, President’s Letter by David Turner
Transcript
THE REPORTER | Volume 25, Issue 11 1
President’s Letter
Hazmat & Environment Notes
Chemistry in Australia
Centenary Congress
RACI Vic Branch Centenary Ball
Vic Branch AGM
41st
Annual Synthesis Symposium
HLM’s Presentation & Retirees Lunch
HS&E Group Christmas Party
Other Upcoming Victorian Events
December / January
2016 / 2017
February2015
Issue 24, Volume 1
The Reporter
Volume 25, Issue 11
CHEMISTRY AROUND AUSTRALIA IN THIS ISSUE
It has been a month of much hyped elections, with the momentous election of committee and executive positions for the Victorian Branch being over-shadowed by the trifling affair in America. I am pleased to not be the most controversial presidential appointment (hopefully). The new committee, ratified at last month’s AGM, is as follows:
President: David Turner
Vice-President: Milena Dryza
Secretary: Brittany Howard
Immediate Past President: Kay Latham
Treasurer: Richard Thwaites
Committee Members: Colin Allison, Trent Ashton, John Franceschini, Greg Dicinoski, Yvonne Mah, Rajesh Ramanathan and Ian Thomas.
After many years on the committee, including in the executive, Brian Salter-Duke has decided to leave and will be missed. The committee is pleased to welcome Trent and Rajesh as new members this year, with fresh faces always needed to reinvigorate the committee for the year ahead.
I’m privileged to take on the role of branch president, although daunted by replacing Kay Latham who has been outstanding in the position over the last two years. Kay brought an infectious enthusiasm to the role and has been particularly active in gearing up the branch for the impending RACI centennial year. I am immensely thankful that Kay remains on the committee as immediate past-president to provide counsel in the months ahead. Thank you!
At this point I should probably introduce myself, as you will be hearing quite a bit from me over the next couple of years. Originally trained in the UK as a supramolecular chemist, I am currently a senior lecturer at Monash University working in the broad areas of supramolecular and coordination chemistry, with a particular interest in metal-organic frameworks and polyhedra. I’ve been involved with the branch committee for the past three years,
President’s Letter by David Turner
THE REPORTER | Volume 25, Issue 11 2
including an impromptu stint as vice-president, and was part of the group that initiated the young chemists group in Victoria. The RACI has both exciting and concerning times ahead; the congress and centenary are both exciting opportunities for promoting chemistry, but falling membership and engagement remain challenging problems. I look forward to working with our excellent committee and the wider membership on these and other issues. More on this next month . . .
The AGM was held on 14th November and saw the presentation of several awards, one of the highlights of the branch calendar. Chris Thompson (Monash) was formally acknowledged for his time and effort in presenting this year’s Hartung youth lecture at various venues around the state. Two of our 25 year members (Greg Dicinoski and Marcus Caulfield) were present to receive acknowledgement of their long-standing commitment to RACI (a particularly notable feat given declining membership). Sioe See Volaric (University of Melbourne) was presented with the Outstanding Technician of the Year award, an acknowledgement of her many years of exceptional service to teaching laboratories at Melbourne. Questions from the floor at the AGM focused heavily on the major issue affecting the society, namely engagement of members. This topic was also the focus of the National Assembly a part of a larger conversation which I will address in next month’s Reporter.
By the time you are reading this, the majority of branch events will have concluded for the year, with the final events being the WinC AGM, a symposium of the peptide users group, and the annual synthesis and inorganic symposia. January will also be a quiet month as we all take well-earned breaks, but we look forward to seeing you all at ChemBeers on 15th February – please come along and meet the new committee who are all eager to hear your thoughts.
2017 will be a huge year for RACI in terms of both the congress and considerable change in order to look forward to a strong society for the next 100 years. All that remains is for me, on behalf of the committee, to wish you all a safe and happy holiday period to recharge your batteries. You’ll be needing all that energy in the coming 12 months . . .
David Turner
RACI Vic Branch President
THE REPORTER | Volume 25, Issue 11 3
Hazmat & Environment Notes
Evaluation of AU Workplace Exposure Standards
16 Sept 2016: Safe Work Australia engaged Golder Associates Pty Ltd to undertake an evaluation of Australia’s list of 644 Workplace Exposure Standards. Golder Associates Pty Ltd will review of the current available scientific data for each chemical and, where necessary, recommend a new level for the Exposure Standard, to ensure worker health and safety in Australia is comparable with latest evidence and international best practice.
The scope of the Project includes:
developing a methodology for the assessment and evaluation of Workplace Exposure Standards
assessing the current 644 Exposure Standards using this methodology to develop a revised list
developing criteria for mandatory Exposure Standards based on risk and recommending a set of mandatory Exposure Standards using the criteria
considering whether an updated Standard is required for each chemical in the revised list, and if so, recommending a new level for the Standard
reporting on the key findings and recommendations, and
stakeholder information and consultations.
Exposure Standards are specified in the model Work Health and Safety Regulations as mandatory legal limits to assist in protecting the health of workers and minimise exposure to airborne contaminants in the Workplace. Exposure Standards aim to minimise the risk of adverse health effects by establishing precise targets for businesses to follow.
THE REPORTER | Volume 25, Issue 11 4
Public consultation sessions will be held and members of the public are invited to Subscribe to the ‘Chemical Exposure Standards’ Mailing List on the Safe Work Australia website. Plus you may include several related Subscriptions.
NZ: Workplace Exposure Stds & Biological Exposure Indices
June 2016 8th Edition: NZ Workplace Exposure Standards and Biological Exposure Indices.
The NZ Workplace Exposure Standards (WES), developed by Worksafe New Zealand, are intended to be used as guidelines for people qualified in occupational health practice.
Changes have been made throughout this edition to reflect the relevant content of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.
The information in this user-friendly, pocket-sized publication is used worldwide as a guide for evaluation and control of workplace exposures to chemical substances and physical agents. Threshold Limit Value (TLV®) occupational exposure guidelines are recommended for more than 700 chemical substances and physical agents. There are more than 50 Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs®) that cover more than 80 chemical substances. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry numbers are listed for each chemical. Introductions to each section and appendices provide philosophical bases and practical recommendations for using TLVs® and BEIs®.
ISBN: 978-1-607260-84-4
Cost: USA$54.95 plus USA$23.95 postage = USA$78.90.
New Guide: Managing Risks of Carcinogenic Chemicals
22 Sept 2016: Safe Work Australia has published a Guide to Managing Risks of Exposure to Carcinogens in the Workplace. The guide provides information on how to manage health and safety risks associated with the storage, handling, use and disposal of chemical carcinogens in the workplace. It explains specific duties related to prohibited or restricted carcinogens under work health and safety laws and supplements existing guidance on managing risks associated with hazardous chemicals.
Control of workplace carcinogenic chemicals presents unique challenges, and unlike many other chemical hazards, a carcinogenic effect may take many years to develop symptoms and there may be no early warning of adverse effects.
May 2016: The COSHH Essentials E-tool provides advice to workplaces on how to control exposure to hazardous substances for a range of common workplace tasks and chemicals. The E-tool will take you through an assessment based on your tasks and chemicals, and give you advice specific to your workplace.
New Zealand workplaces must be aware of several differences before using the COSHH Essentials E-tool. Explanations are made under the following headings: 1/ COSHH Regulations; 2/ Direct advice sheets; 3/ Frequently asked questions; 4/ HSNO classifications and H-statements; 5/ Confined spaces; 6/ HSNO controls; 7/ Advice or expert help; 8/ Disclaimer.
Food Standards News June 2016: FSANZ has published two reports on the use of nanotechnology in food additives and food packaging.
Some of the key findings of the reports were:
- The weight of evidence of nanoscale Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide and Silver in food does not support claims of significant health risks for food grade materials.
- Titanium Dioxide and Silicon Dioxide are used internationally in a range of food products and have been used safely for decades. They are approved food additives in Australia and New Zealand. Silver is also an approved additive in Australia and New Zealand but is permitted in very few foods.
Potential Health Risks Associated with Nanotechnologies in Existing Food Additives Report website: Report (May 2016, 106 page pdf)
Expert reaction to these Reports can be found on the Australian Science Media centre website at: https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/expert-reaction-fsanz-releases-food-nanotech-safety-reports
19 April 2016: Hazard Assessment of Lithium Ion Battery Energy Storage Systems, NFPA Webinar, 1hr 41min.
Currently standards developers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), emergency responders, and the ESS industry do not have a clear direction regarding the hazards of ESS installations and have few, if any, technical studies, reports, or scientific literature to rely upon when making decisions regarding the safe installation of these systems. The Hazard Assessment of Lithium Ion Battery Energy Storage System Webinar summarizes a literature review and gap analysis related to Li-ion battery ESSs, as well as full-scale fire testing of 100 kWh Li-ion battery ESSs.
UN Manual of Tests & Criteria, 6th Revised Edition
Reissued on 17-02-2016 with the February 2016 Corrigendum included.
The "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria" supplement the "Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations" and the "Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)". They contain criteria, test methods and procedures to be used for the classification of dangerous goods according to the provisions of Parts 2 and 3 of the Model Regulations, as well as of chemicals presenting physical hazards according to the GHS.
Editor: A particular change for Calcium Nitrate Tetrahydrate that was brought to my attention is on pages 388, 393 and 402. In particular where test results for 1050 D50
Victorian Branch AGM. Once again, this November, the Vic Branch AGM was held at Campari House in Melbourne. It was a great night had by all.
Our newly elected President, David Turner, gave a rousing speech about some of his hopes and wishes for the next year for members of the Vic Branch of the RACI.
We also acknowledged excellence in Technical fields, the Hartung Lecture and Current Twenty Five Year Memberships of the RACI.
Chris Thompson Receiving his Certificate for being the2016 See Sioe Volare this year’s Outstanding Technician
Hartung Lecturer from Vic Branch President David Turner
Marcus Caulfield and Greg Dicinoski receiving their 25 Year Membership Certificates
THE REPORTER | Volume 25, Issue 11 8
41st Annual Synthesis Symposium.
The Organic Chemistry Group (RACI, Victorian Branch), in conjunction with the School of Chemistry and the Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, is holding its Annual Organic Synthesis Symposium on Friday 2 December 2016, 9 am - 5 pm.
The DCC Plenary Lecture will be presented by:
Prof Michael A. Kerr, University of Western Ontario, Canada
Registration Fees:
RACI Members: $80.00
Non-Members: $100.00
RACI Student Members $50.00
Student Non-Members: $70.00
Please Click Here to Register
Please Click Here for the Flyer
Lunch will be provided, in addition to morning and afternoon tea and light refreshments at the conclusion of the symposium.
Vic Branch Committee Meeting! The last Vic Branch Committee meeting for 2016 is to be held on 5 December, 2016.
To be held at National Office 1 / 21 Vale Street North Melbourne
HLM Presentation and Retirees Lunch. The Final Retirees lunch for 2016 is being held at Graduate House. Not only are we celebrating the festive season and catching up with old friends, we will be honouring our 2016 Honorary Life Members with a presentation of their 50 year certificates and pins.
The Menu.
The luncheon will consist of a Traditional Christmas Menu.
Entrée
Prawn, Mango and Avocado Salad
Grilled Halloumi, Roasted Pepper and Zucchini Salad
Main Course
Seasoned Turkey Breast with Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing served with Gravy
Salmon with Lemon Butter and Caper Sauce served with Saffron and Sage Baked Potato
Dessert
Plum Pudding with Custard and Brandy Sauce
Pistachio Bavarois
Where: Graduate House 220 Leicester St, Carlton VIC 3053
A little bit more than Chemistry…. As many of our Members and Associates have interests outside of Chemistry as well as in, this month we thought we might feature a couple.
Our Vic Branch Coordinator Melissa Johnson is involved in a volunteer Friends Group replanting out the Ashburton Train Station. The group has been unlucky lately as Contractors have destroyed many of the plants through poisoning. An article has featured this week in the Progress Leader Newspaper
Also the Chair of the Vic Branch FNAC Group Megan Thornton has featured in a video with Gary Mehigan of Masterchef fame, on how different smells in a home can sway buyers during an inspection.
Other Upcoming Victorian Events 15 February - Chembeers
22 July - Centenary Gala Dinner & Ball
Want to Contribute to The Reporter? The Victorian Branch would like to hear from members who would like to send in information that may be of interest to the membership. Do you know of any interesting stories or projects that are making a difference, or events that you would like to share with readers? If so, please shoot an email to [email protected].
We are also on the lookout for advertisers for our Newsletter. If your organisation is interested in reaching more than 1500 professional Chemists each month in Victoria, we would be pleased to talk with you. Minimum rates are $200 per month for one-third A4 page. Contact the Vic Branch office on 03 9328 2033 or email [email protected].
The deadline for the next issue of The Reporter is 20 January 2017.
