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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling

Click on the questions below for more information.

For more detailed information, refer to the CHEM services publications “Safe Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods: Guidelines for Industry” and the Dangerous Goods Information Papers on placarding and manifests on the Publications page.


Q: Who does the Dangerous Goods Safety Management legislation apply to?
A: The Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 creates safety obligations for everyone who, as a result of the storage and handling of hazardous materials at a place, may harm people, property or the environment.

The following persons have specific obligations under the Act:

In particular, the following materials are affected by the legislation:

The Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act does not apply in the following circumstances:


Q: What are dangerous goods?
A: Dangerous goods are substances or articles that are potentially dangerous to people, property and the environment. They include materials that are:

Some examples of dangerous goods include:


Q: A number of terms are used with dangerous goods. What do they mean?
A: The following terms are used to identify dangerous goods and to give information about their hazards:

UN Number: A four-digit number assigned by the United Nations to to identify dangerous goods;

Proper Shipping name: A standard name given to dangeorus goods for transport purposes;

Class: Dangerous goods are grouped into classes according to the most significant hazard presented by the goods. There are nine classes (numbered 1 - 9), some having sub-classes (see next FAQ);

Subsidiary risk (sub-risk): Where dangerous goods present more than oner hazard, the less significant hazards are termed "sub-risk";

Packing group (PG): The degree of danger presented by dangerous goods is signified by Roman numerals as follows:

Packing Group I - high danger
Packing Group II - medium danger
Packing Group III - low danger

For a full and formal discussion on dangerous goods terminology, refer to the "Australian Dangerous Goods Code".


Q: What are the different classes of dangerous goods?
A: Dangerous goods are grouped into different classes according to the most significant risk presented by the goods. There are nine classes (numbered 1 - 9), some having sub-classes. Each class or sub-class has a unique identifying label (commonly known as a 'diamond'), as shown below.

Class 1

Explosive substances or articles used to produce explosions
Information on the classification of Class 1 Explosives is included in the Australian Explosives Code.

Class 2.1

Flammable gas
Gases that can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition.

Class 2.2

Non-flammable, non-toxic gas
Gases that are non-flammable but may cause suffocation.

Class 2.2
sub-risk 5.1

Oxidising gases
Gases that are non-flammable and non-toxic but which contribute to combustion, such as oxygen and nitrous oxide.

Class 2.3

Toxic gas
Gases likely to cause death or serious injury if inhaled.

Class 3

Flammable liquids
Liquids, the vapours of which can ignite in air on contact with a source of ignition.

Class 4.1

Flammable solids
Substances that are easily ignited by external sources, such as sparks and flames.

Class 4.2

Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Substances likely to heat spontaneously and catch fire.

Class 4.3

Substances that in contact with water emit flammable gases
Substances that produce dangerous quantities of flammable gas when in contact with water. Heat from this reaction may cause these gases to spontaneously ignite.

Class 5.1

Oxidising substances
Substances that are not necessarily combustible by themselves, but which produce oxygen, which increases the risk and intensity of fire in other materials with which they may come into contact.

Class 5.2

Organic peroxides
Organic substances containing bivalent oxygen that are thermally unstable and likely to react dangerously with other substances.

Class 6.1

Toxic substances
Substances likely to cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled or brought into contact with the skin.

Class 6.2

Infectious substances
Substances known or likely to contain micro-organisms which can cause disease. Further information is available from Queensland Health.

Class 7

Radioactive material
Material for which the specific activity exceeds 70kBq/kg. Further information is available from Queensland Health Radiation Health Unit.

Class 8

Corrosive substances
Solid and liquid substances that can severely damage living tissue or attack other materials such as metals.

Class 9

Miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles
Substances and articles that present a danger, but are not covered by other classes.

When specific Dangerous Goods have more than one significant hazard, they are assigned a Class on the basis of the most significant hazard, and are assigned one or more subsidiary risks (‘sub-risks’) according to the other hazards.

Information on the classification of dangerous goods may be gained from the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG Code) – available from Australian Government bookshops.


Q: What are Goods too Dangerous to be Transported?
A: These goods are considered too dangerous to transport because of their instability and potential to react violently. They are listed in Appendix 5 of the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code.


Q: What are Combustible Liquids?
A: Combustible liquids are liquids that burn, but are more difficult to ignite than flammable liquids. They have a flashpoint greater than 60.5°C and are not classified as Dangerous Goods (whereas liquids with a lower flashpoint are Dangerous Goods Class 3 – [flammable liquids]). Combustible liquids are divided into two classes according to flashpoint, as follows:

Information on the classification of flammable and combustible liquids is available in Australian Standard AS 1940 ‘The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids’. Copies can be obtained from Standards Australia at www.standards.com.au.


Q: How can I determine whether chemicals supplied to me are dangerous goods or combustible liquids?
A: For dangerous goods, this information should be available from the label on the container or from the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

In all cases, your supplier should be able to give you the information.

The information should tell you the classification information, that is, the class and packing group (PG) of dangerous goods and the type of combustible liquids (C1 or C2).


Q: What are stated dangerous goods and stated combustible liquids?
A: ‘Stated dangerous goods’ are:

‘Stated combustible liquids’ are:


Q: What are fire-risk dangerous goods?
A: Fire risk dangerous goods are dangerous goods of Class or sub-risk 2.1, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 or 5.2. These materials may contribute to the risk of fire either by adding to the fuel load or by increasing the ease and rate of combustion.


Q: When are combustible liquids stored 'with' fire-risk dangerous goods?
A: If you have both combustible liquids and fire-risk dangerous goods at your premises, there exists:

•  a fuel load represented by the total of all the flammable or combustible materials present; and/or

•  a risk of ignition of the flammable or combustible materials by oxidising agents.

Are the combustible liquids stored 'with' the fire-risk dangerous goods, or not?

To answer this, you should consider the following:

•  Is there a potential for interaction between the combustible liquids and the fire-risk dangerous goods?

•  If the fire-risk dangerous goods became involved in a fire, could that fire spread to the combustible liquids (or vice-versa)?

•  Could the Class 5 oxidising agents and the combustible liquids come into contact and start a fire?

If the answer to any of these questions in 'Yes', then you have combustible liquids stored with fire-risk dangerous goods.

While you may have both combustible liquids and fire-risk dangerous goods at your premises, if they are segregated from each other so as to avoid the potential of interaction between them, it is appropriate to answer 'No' to the questions above.

Segregation of materials may be achieved by distance or barriers or both. Australian Standards dealing with storage of dangerous goods usually provide information about appropriate separation distances or barriers.

To answer these questions adequately, you may need to have conducted a thorough hazard identification process for the premises.


Q: What is the difference between 'hazardous materials', 'dangerous goods' and 'hazardous substances'?
A: ‘Hazardous materials’ is an umbrella term used to describe any substance that, because of its chemical, physical or biological properties, can cause harm to people, property or the environment. It is a term that collectively describes substances which are classified according to the hazard they present, including but not limited to ‘dangerous goods’, ‘combustible liquids’, and ‘hazardous substances’.

Dangerous goods and hazardous substances 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 that may affect property, people or the environment (e.g. petrol, pool chlorine, and some pesticides).

Hazardous substances are classified only on the basis of health effects - both medium and long term - particularly in relation to workplaces.

Many materials are both dangerous goods and hazardous substances.

Diagram image of Hazardous Materials

Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are covered by separate but complementary legislation, namely:


Q: What is the difference between "packages" and "tanks"?
A: ‘Package’ means:

‘Tank’ means a container with a capacity larger than the upper limits set for packages.


Q: What is an Emergency Information Panel (EIP)?
A: An EIP is a placard (sign) of specified format used to identify dangerous goods when transported in tanks. A modified EIP is required as a placard for tanks that store dangerous goods.


Q: What is the HAZCHEM Code?
A: The HAZCHEM Code is an alphanumeric code of 2 or 3 digits which provides initial emergency response information about dangerous goods to the emergency services when responding to an incident involving those goods. A summay of the rules for interpreting the code is given below.


Q: What are Dangerous Goods Locations, Large Dangerous Goods Locations and Major Hazard Facilities?
A: The Dangerous Goods Safety Management legislation establishes a hierarchy of premises types according to the quantity of dangerous goods and combustible liquids stored at the premises. The requirements of the legislation increase as the quantities of dangerous goods and combustible liquids increases. Premises are classified into one of four categories, as follows:

•

small quantities

Minor storage workplace *

•

medium quantities

Dangerous Goods Locations (DGLs)

•

large quantities

Large Dangerous Goods Locations (Large DGLs)

•

very large quantities

Major Hazard Facilities (MHFs)

*’Minor storage workplace’ is the term used for a workplace where stated dangerous goods or combustible liquids are stored or handled in quantities less than the prescribed quantities for a Dangerous Goods Location in Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation.

The prescribed quantities by which premises are classified as DGLs and Large DGLs are specified in Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management legislation. The prescribed quantities for major hazard facilities are set out in Schedule 2 of the Regulation. These prescribed quantities are often referred to as thresholds.

All the requirements which apply to DGLs also apply to Large DGLs. Most of the requirements which apply to Large DGLs apply to MHFs.

The hierarchy is illustrated in the figure below.

Image of Hierachy of Premisis Types
HIERARCHY OF PREMISES TYPES


Q: Does a site storing dangerous goods need to notify the Department of Emergency Services?
A: Occupiers of premises which are Large DGLs or possible Major Hazard Facilities must notify the Department of Emergency Services of the existence of their premises on the approved form – www.emergency.qld.gov.au/chem/notification. This notification provides a basic level of information about the hazardous materials stored at the premises. Notification must be renewed every two years.


Q: What are the dangerous goods classifications of fuels found at service stations?
A: The table below shows the typical classification of fuels as dangerous goods or combustible liquids. This information should be used when completing the notification form.

Petrol including grades such as:

  • Unleaded ULP
  • Lead Replacement LRP
  • Super
  • Premium

Class 3 PG II

Kerosene

Class 3 PG III

Diesel fuel

C1 Combustible Liquid

Fuel Oils and heating Oils

C1 Combustible liquid

Motor oil

C2 Combustible liquid

Waste oil

C2 Combustible liquid

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)

Class 2.1 (PG not applicable)
 

PG = Packing Group

If you are unsure of a fuel’s classification, consult the supplier and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product.


Q: Do I need a licence to store dangerous goods?
A: In most cases, a licence is not required for storage of stated dangerous goods.

However, a licence may be required if you store flammable liquids (i.e. Class 3 dangerous goods) or combustible liquids (e.g. diesel fuel) in quantities above the “minor storage” quantities in Table 2.1 of the AS 1940 Storage and Handling of flammable and combustible liquids. Your Local Government is responsible for licensing of flammable and combustible liquids storage. The requirements for a licence are prescribed in Part 4 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001.

You may also wish to consult Chapter 5 of the Safe Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods: Guidelines for Industry.


Q: I am a farmer on a rural workplace. What requirements do I need to comply with?
A: An occupier of a place that stores or handles dangerous goods has a general obligation for safety under Section 16 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001.

If the property has an area of 5 ha or more, is used for agricultural, horticultural, floricultural, aquacultural or pastoral purposes, and does not store stated dangerous goods or combustible liquids for resale, it is a “rural place”. Many farms would meet this definition.

A rural place cannot be classified as a Dangerous Goods Location and is only subject to the “minor storage” requirements of the Regulation (Division 4 of Part 3). The occupier of a rural place needs to comply with Sections 63 to 77 of Part 3 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001 which provide simplified, commonsense obligations to dangerous goods management. The requirements include the following:

Rural places are also exempt from the requirement to hold a Flammable and Combustible Liquids licence from their Local Government authority.


Q: When is placarding required?
A: The Dangerous Goods Safety Management legislation sets out the requirements for placarding and provides details on their form (e.g. size, content and layout) and location. Schedule 1 of the Regulation sets out the prescribed quantities (‘thresholds’) of stated dangerous goods and combustible liquids above which placards must be displayed. In general, placarding in the appropriate form is required where the quantities on site exceed any of the quantities listed in Column 3 of Schedule 1 of the Regulation – see www.emergency.qld.gov.au/chem/legislation

Full requirements for placarding are outlined in Sections 49-55 and Schedule 3 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation (see above). An information paper on placarding summarises the requirements and provides practical guidance on determining your placarding needs – see www.emergency.qld.gov.au/chem/publications



Q: How do the current placarding requirements compare to the former requirements?
A: The Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act requirements for placarding are similar to those of the former regulation (part 11 “hazardous substances placarding” of the Health Regulation 1996). However, there are some significant differences:

The Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation allows for the continued use of existing placards in place at the commencement of the Act (7 May 2002), provided they complied with the former placarding regulation and contain all the information required by this Regulation.


Q: Where can I obtain outer warning signs and other placards?
A: Outer warning placards and information placards can be obtained from most reputable safety sign suppliers. Safety sign suppliers can be found in the Yellow Pages under “Safety equipment & accessories”. See www.yellowpages.com.au


Q: When is a dangerous goods register required?
A: A register of dangerous goods is required for all workplaces that store or handle stated dangerous goods or combustible liquids. A dangerous goods register is a list of all stated dangerous goods and combustible liquids stored at, or likely to be stored at, any premises, accompanied, where required, by a current Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each of the dangerous goods.

The register is not required to include stated dangerous goods and combustible liquids that are:


Q: When is an emergency manifest required?
A: An emergency manifest is required for large dangerous goods locations and major hazard facilities.

The requirements for manifests are set out in Sections 58-60 and Schedule 4 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation - www.emergency.qld.gov.au/chem/legislation. An information paper summarising requirements for manifests is available. www.emergency.qld.gov.au/chem/publications


Q: Where should a manifest box be located at a fuel service station?
A: Service stations are highly likely to be classified as large dangerous goods locations which are required to maintain a manifest. A copy of the manifest is required to be kept inside a red weatherproof container which is often called a “hazmat box”. The “hazmat box” is required to be located on the inside of the entrance to the property.

Service stations vary widely in site attributes such as land area, street access, number of driveways, entrances and exits, and arrangement of storage tanks both above ground and underground. Only one manifest box is required and should be located at the boundary adjacent to the most used entrance. If a service station is located on the corner of an intersection for two busy roads, select the entrance on the road which is used for the street address.

The function of the “HAZMAT Box” is to ensure that Queensland Fire and Rescue Service personnel can retrieve the manifest information safely during a fire, spill or other emergency. It is therefore not appropriate to place the manifest container near bowsers, or close to tanks of LPG, flammable or combustible liquids.


Q: What is a 003 series lock and where can I get one?
A: The “L 003” series lock and key are used on commercial fire alarm control system panels and are commonly used on HAZMAT boxes used to contain site manifests. The “L 003” series key is held by Queensland Fire and Rescue Service officers around the state to allow them access to HAZMAT boxes and fire alarm control systems.

The keys and locks should be available from any reputable locksmith. The padlocks (manufactured by Lockwood) for HAZMAT boxes can be obtained by asking a locksmith to cut an “L 003” series key and have a Lockwood padlock “keyed” accordingly. Suppliers of fire control systems will also be able to direct you to providers of “L 003” series locks and keys. Copies of the “L 003” series keys are unrestricted and readily available for copying.


Q: How can I determine if different dangerous goods stored together are compatible?
A: Two or more dangerous goods are deemed compatible if their interaction does not result in a reaction that may give rise to a fire, explosion, harmful reaction, or the evolution of flammable, toxic, or corrosive vapours. If goods are not compatible then they must not be stored together in a manner that will allow them to come into contact.

Compatibility charts can be used as an aid in determining if two classes of dangerous goods are compatible. Chapter 9 of the ADG Code contains a matrix in Table 9.2 “Segregation of dangerous goods in road vehicles and freight containers”. If the dangerous goods are deemed to be incompatible then measures need to be taken to segregate the incompatible goods. It should be noted that if Table 9.2 is used you will need to examine the list of exceptions covered in Table 9.1 of Chapter 9. Other compatibility charts may be obtained from reputable safety sign suppliers.


Q: What is a Hazardous Area?
A: A hazardous area is defined as an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present, or may be expected to be present, in quantities such as to require special precautions for the construction, installation and use of potential ignition sources. It is defined in AS 2430 “Classification of hazardous areas”. In this definition, an area may include a 3-dimensional region or space. Examples of ignition sources may include electrical equipment, naked flames, sparks from grinding and welding activities and hot surfaces.


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