Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000 and Code of Practice

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1 Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000 and Code of Practice Fact Sheet Introduction The Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000 came into effect on 5 December 2000 and all parts of the Regulations came into operation on the 1 January The objective of the Regulations is to provide for the safe storage and handling of dangerous goods. These Regulations replaced the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations An accompanying Code of Practice was introduced on the 8 December 2000 to provide further guidance and encourage implementation of the Regulations. On 1 January 2009, some new legal requirements came into effect in Victoria to improve the safety of goods transport. Victorian law is now consistent with an updated national framework for transporting dangerous goods by road or rail. The framework, which is the responsibility of the National Transport Commission (NTC), closely aligns with international standards for the safe transport and storage of dangerous goods. The following is a brief summary only of a selection of the Regulations. The full Regulations and the Code of Practice should be consulted for specific requirements. Application of the Regulations The Regulations and Code of Practice apply to manufacturers and suppliers of dangerous goods and occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled. The Regulations cover workplaces and non-workplaces where the storage of minor quantities of dangerous goods is exceeded. Dangerous Goods under the Regulations are substances designated in the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail and also include combustible liquids having a flash point higher than 61 C, but less than 150 C. The Regulations and the Code of Practice do not apply to the following: dangerous goods that are explosives; dangerous goods used in the manufacture of explosives; dangerous goods in batteries that are in use; dangerous goods in a fuel container on a vehicle or boat; dangerous goods that form an appliance, or machinery that forms part of a vehicle or boat; dangerous goods in a fuel container of a domestic or portable fuel burning appliance; dangerous goods in fire fighting equipment or portable safety or medical equipment; asbestos; and receptacles that have contained dangerous goods but have been thoroughly cleaned.

2 What are dangerous goods? Dangerous Goods are classified on the basis of immediate physical or chemical effects such as fire, explosion, corrosion and acute poisoning that may affect property, the environment or people. Dangerous Goods under the Regulations are segregated into the following classes: Class 2 Gases Class 3 Flammable Liquids Class 4 Flammable Solids Class 5 Oxidizing substances, organic peroxides Class 6 Toxic substances Class 8 Corrosive substances Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles C1 Combustible Liquid a combustible liquid with a flash point greater than 61 C and less than 150 C. Duties of manufacturers and suppliers Classifying, packaging and package marking The manufacturer or first supplier of dangerous goods must first determine if the substances are dangerous goods and assign the appropriate Class, Subsidiary Risk (if any) and Packing Group to the substances. Before the dangerous goods are supplied, they are required to be packed in accordance with the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Rail and Road. The dangerous goods packages must be appropriately labelled. Preparation of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) A MSDS must be prepared for the dangerous goods and provided on, or before, the first occasion the dangerous goods are supplied for use. The MSDS must be written in English and include the following information: the date of preparation or, if the MSDS has been reviewed, the date it was last reviewed; the manufacturer s or first supplier s name and their Australian address and telephone number; telephone number for information in the event of an emergency; the product name of the dangerous goods, together with: o the proper shipping name, UN number, class, subsidiary risk and packing group; o its chemical and physical properties; o the names of the individual ingredients in the dangerous goods; o the proportion or proportion ranges of the ingredients identified with a chemical or generic name; o any relevant health hazard information, including first aid information; o information on the precautions for the safe use of the dangerous goods; and o a statement that the goods are dangerous goods.

3 The MSDS must be reviewed as often as necessary to ensure it contains accurate and current information and at least every five years. Duties of occupiers Occupier An occupier includes a person whom: is the owner of the premises; exercises control of the premises under a mortgage, lease or franchise; or is normally or occasionally in charge of or exercises control or supervision at the premises as a manager or employee or in any other capacity. Consultation with workers The occupier must consult with any person who could be affected by dangerous goods and any Health and Safety Representative in relation to the following: induction; training and information provision; hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control; and any proposed changes that are likely to increase the risk to affected persons. Induction, information, training and supervision The occupier is required to ensure that persons involved in the storage and handling of dangerous goods are provided with induction information, training and supervision. A record of induction and training activities must be retained for a minimum of five years. Hazard identification and risk assessment All hazards associated with the storage and handling of dangerous goods at the premises must be identified. The hazard identification will need to have regard to the following: information about the hazardous properties of the dangerous goods, including the information provided on the MSDS. the chemical and physical properties of the dangerous goods. the manufacturing, transport and any chemical reaction processes. the structures and plant used in the storage and handling of dangerous goods. the physical location. any plant or systems of work that could interact with the dangerous goods. chemical and physical reactions between the dangerous goods and other substances and articles. the type and characteristics of incidents associated with dangerous goods. Where a hazard is identified, a risk assessment is required to determine: those risks that need to be controlled; and the priority order in which risks should be controlled. Where dangerous goods are stored and handled in the same or similar circumstances and they have similar properties and characteristics, a generic risk assessment can be conducted. Risk control general duty The occupier has a general duty to ensure that any risk associated with the storage and handling of dangerous goods is eliminated or, where this is not practicable, reduced as far as practicable.

4 Specific risk control duties In addition to the general duty of care that must be provided by the occupier, specific risk control duties are prescribed under the Regulations. The hierarchy of control applies and the occupier should as far as practicable not rely solely on administrative controls or personal protective equipment as a control measure. Specific risk control measures are required and the occupier must ensure: visitors are provided with information, safety instructions and supervision; access by unauthorised persons is prevented; goods do not inadvertently become unstable, decompose or change to create a hazard; any areas of risk are isolated from other areas; incompatible goods cannot react with each other; structures and plant are installed, tested and maintained in a safe condition; bulk containers are installed, tested and maintained in a safe condition; receptacles that are no longer intended for use are cleaned free of all dangerous goods or their contents neutralised or chemically deactivated; Dangerous goods and any structure or plant is protected against damage from impact with vehicles, mobile plant, etc; that appropriate spill containment is provided; transfers are conducted in a safe manner to control any spills or leaks, the generation of static electricity, vapors or any chemical incompatibility with vessels and pipe work; as far as practicable, no ignition sources are present within any hazardous area; and that the hazards associated with any flammable, explosive or asphyxiant atmospheres are controlled. Obligations associated with quantities stored and handled A range of obligations under the Regulations is associated with the quantity, class and packing group of dangerous goods being stored and handled. Schedule 2 of the Regulations specifies the various action levels. A summary of Schedule 2 and the associated obligations are detailed as follows.

5 Class or Description of DG Packing Group Placarding Quantity kg/l Manifest Quantity kg/l Fire Protection Quantity kg/l / Aerosols Cryogenic Fluids 3, 4, 5, 6 or I II III Mixed Packing Groups Same Class II III Mixed PG Mixed Classes below specified quantity C1 stored with fire risk D/Gs C1 Bulk stored in isolation C1 Packages stored in isolation Manifest Where premises exceed the Manifest Quantity in Schedule 2, a manifest must be located in a position readily accessible to the emergency authority (usually in a cabinet adjacent to the front entrance to the property). The Manifest must contain the following information: name and address of the Occupier emergency contact numbers summary of all the dangerous goods on site (Class, Packing Group, Maximum quantity) details of any 'bulk' storages (Name, Class, Tank Id. Tank type and capacity) details of packaged goods of Class 2.3 or PG I (Name, Class, Maximum quantity) details of other packaged goods (Class, Maximum quantity) details of Dangerous Goods in Manufacture details of any goods in transit a site plan containing a storage area floor plan showing the location of each category of dangerous goods The manifest must be revised as soon as possible after any change. Placarding Premises which exceed the Placarding Quantity in Schedule 2 must placard the premises as required. Three types of notices are required: an outer warning placard (HAZCHEM Notice);

6 a placard for package stores; and a placard for bulk. An outer warning placard should show the word HAZCHEM in red lettering on a white or silver background. HAZCHEM An outer warning placard should be located at every vehicular entrance into the workplace. Placards for packaged dangerous goods should show the Class label for each dangerous good stored in that location. e.g. The placard should be located in several key places including: the main entrance to a building or structure where dangerous goods are stored and handled, so that the warning is clearly visible at all approaches to the site; at every entrance to a room or compartment within a building where dangerous goods are stored; and Adjacent to an outdoor storage area where dangerous goods are stored. Placards for tanks and bulk stores should indicate the contents of a tank or bulk store for a single item. They display the proper shipping name, the UN Number, Dangerous Goods diamond and HAZCHEM Code. They must be displayed on or adjacent to any bulk storage. Placards must be revised as soon as possible if there is a change in the storage Fire protection premises exceeding Fire Protection Quantity Occupiers of premises which exceed the Fire Protection Quantity specified in Schedule 2 must seek the advice from the Dangerous Goods Section of the Fire Protection Authority. Planning for emergencies Where the quantities stored on site exceed the Manifest Quantities in Schedule 2, the site must have written emergency plans associated with the dangerous goods kept at the premises. In developing or reviewing those plans, the occupier must request the written advice of the emergency services. Notification to the Authority The occupier of a premises that exceeds Manifest Quantity in Schedule 2 must notify WorkSafe Victoria with the following information: which includes:

7 name of the occupier address of the premises contact details the nature of the business the Class and maximum quantities stored in bulk or in packages maximum quantity of any C1 Combustible Liquids stored in bulk or packages details of any goods too dangerous to be transported. For further assistance in preparing for the onset of this legislation in your workplace, please contact VECCI s team of OHS consultants for a quote on Disclaimer The information contained in this document has been prepared by VECCI in this format for the convenience and benefit of its members and is provided as a source of information only. VECCI does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of the information or its relevance or applicability in particular circumstances. The information does not constitute, and should not be relied on, as legal or other professional advice about the content and does not reflect the opinion of VECCI, its employees or agents. VECCI and its employees, officers, authors or agents expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person, whether a member of VECCI or not, in respect of any action or decision to act or not act which is taken in reliance, whether partially or wholly, on the information in this communication. Without limiting the generality of this disclaimer, no responsibility or liability is accepted for any losses incurred in contract, tort, negligence, or any other cause of action, or for any consequential or other forms of loss. If you are uncertain about the application of this information in your own circumstances you should obtain specific advice. Version 1-8/04/2010