Tuesday, June 16, 2009

INTRODUCTION dangerous goods and Dangerous Goods Act

1. What are dangerous goods?
Dangerous goods are substances that may be corrosive, flammable, explosive, spontaneously
combustible, toxic, oxidising, or water-reactive. These goods can be deadly and can seriously
damage property and the environment. Therefore, it’s important that they are stored and
handled safely.
You should read this Code if you manufacture, supply, store or handle dangerous goods. The
Code will help you meet your duties under the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling)
Regulations 2000 to ensure that dangerous goods are stored and handled safely.
If you are a health and safety representative or an employee who works with dangerous
goods, you may also find this Code useful.
2. Which dangerous goods are covered by this Code?
The following table (Figure 1) summarises the dangerous goods covered by the Regulations
and therefore this Code.
Type of Goods Description Reference for
classification
Dangerous Goods
Class 2 Gases
2.1 Flammable gases
2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
2.3 Toxic gases
Class 3 Flammable liquid
Class 4 Flammable solids etc.
4.1 Flammable solids; self-reactive and related substances;
and desensitised explosives
4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
4.3 Substances that in contact with water emit flammable
gases
Class 5 Oxidising substances, organic peroxides
5.1 Oxidising substances
5.2 Organic peroxides
Class 6.1 Toxic substances
ADG Code
Class 8 Corrosive substances
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles
Goods too dangerous to
be transported
Goods listed in Appendix 5 of the ADG Code and goods
determined to be so in accordance with reg 1.18(g) of
the Road Transport Reform (DG) Regulations 1997.
ADG Code & order
C1 Combustible liquid A liquid other than a flammable liquid that has a
flashpoint between 61C < 150°C, and a fire point less
than its boiling point.
AS 1940
The storage and
handling of flammable
and combustible liquids
Figure 1: Types of goods covered by the Code of Practice
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3. Which dangerous goods are not covered by this Code?
The Regulations and this Code do not apply to:
· dangerous goods which are explosives (including dangerous goods of Class 1); or
· dangerous goods of classes 6.2 and 7 as defined in the ADG Code;1 or
· dangerous goods while they are used in the manufacture of explosives in accordance with
Part 3 of the Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2000; or
· dangerous goods which are batteries while they are in use; or
· dangerous goods in a fuel container which is fitted to a vehicle or boat; or
· dangerous goods in the form an appliance or equipment that forms part of a vehicle or boat
and is necessary for its operation; or
· dangerous goods in the fuel container of a domestic or portable fuel burning appliance; or
· combustible liquids unless they are C1 combustible liquids; or
· dangerous goods in portable firefighting or medical equipment deployed for use at the
premises; or
· asbestos designated by UN 2212 or UN 2509.
Dangerous goods at non-workplaces
Once any of the thresholds specified in regulation 106(1)(k) are exceeded, all the relevant
provisions of the Regulations apply at the premises, and as a consequence, this Code applies.
The Regulations and Code do not cover the following dangerous goods if they are at premises
that are not a workplace:
· compressed gas of Class 2.1, Class 2.2 or compressed oxygen each in aggregate quantities
of less than 50 litres forming part of a welding set or used or intended to be used with a
portable flame torch; or
· compressed oxygen or air used or intended to be used for medical purposes; or
· dangerous goods of Class 3 in an aggregate quantity of less than 250 litres; or
· pool chlorine in an aggregate quantity of not more than 100kg; or
· sodium hypochlorite designated by UN 1791 in an aggregate quantity of not more than 100
litres; or
· Class 9 dangerous goods in an aggregate quantity of not more that 100 kg; or
· dangerous goods of Packing Group I in an aggregate quantity of not more than 5 kg; or
· combustible liquids in an aggregate quantity of not more than 1,000 litres; or
· any other dangerous goods (not including dangerous goods of Class 2.3) in an aggregate
quantity of not more than 100 kilograms.
1 The ADG Code means the document known as the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous
Goods by Road and Rail (Sixth edition or a later prescribed edition), as amended from time to time.
The Dangerous Goods Act 1985 incorporates the ADG Code for definitional purposes and that Code is
directly incorporated into the Commonwealth Road Transport Reform (Dangerous Goods) Regulations
1997. The latter Regulations have the force of Victorian law by virtue of the operation of the Victorian
Road Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995, which brings the Commonwealth Road Transport
(Dangerous Goods) Act into state law. The effect of this legislative framework is to make the
requirements contained in the ADG Code mandatory.
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4. What is the difference between ‘dangerous goods’ and
‘hazardous substances’?
Don’t confuse dangerous goods with hazardous substances – they are classified according to
different criteria. Dangerous goods are classified on the basis of immediate physical or
chemical effects, such as fire, explosion, corrosion and poisoning, affecting property, the
environment or people, while hazardous substances are classified only on the basis of health
effects (whether they be immediate or long-term).
Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are covered by separate legislation, each focusing
on controlling the different risks described above. Since many hazardous substances are also
classified as dangerous goods, the requirements of both pieces of legislation will apply in
these cases. Each piece of legislation complements the other, effectively ensuring the
comprehensive control of all risks.
5. Relationship with other regulations
There are a number of regulations made under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985, Road
Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act
1985 which have some relationship with the Storage and Handling Regulations. Appendix 2
provides a detailed summary of these relationships.
6. Competencies of people carrying out duties
You have a responsibility to ensure that people carrying out duties under the Regulations on
your behalf have the appropriate competencies to enable them to perform tasks correctly. The
competencies may be acquired through training, education or experience or through a
combination of these.