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Publications
Welcome to our Publications page! You should note that some of the publications have been formatted into Adobe Reader (PDF) format. If you do not have this software, click here to obtain the free Adobe Reader from the Adobe web site.
Content
- Community Consultation – Community Consultation and Communications Guidelines.
- Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 – a Guide to the Act.
- Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 – the actual legislation
- Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001 – the actual legislation
- DGSM Information paper No.1: Placarding For Dangerous Goods Storage
- DGSM Information paper No.2: Manifests For Dangerous Goods Storage
- DGSM Information paper No.3: Minor Storage of Stated Dangerous Goods and Combustible Liquids
- DGSM Information paper No.4: Choosing a Consultant for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods
- DGSM Information paper No.5: Premises Classification for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods
- DGSM Information paper No.6: Carrying out a Risk Assessment for Dangerous Goods
- DGSM Information paper No.9: Safety Management Systems for Dangerous Goods Locations
- DGSM Information paper No.10: Spills Containment and Clean-up Measures for Dangerous Goods and Combustible Liquids
- DGSM Information paper No.11: F&C licensing
- Emergency Planning – Guidelines for Hazardous Industry.
- Emergency Plans – Guidelines for Major Hazard Facilities.
- Farm Chemicals – Safe Storage of Unwanted Farm Chemicals – CHEM Information Paper No.8.
- Fluoroelastomer – Vehicle Fires and Fluoroelastomer (VITON) – CHEM services Information Paper No 6.
- Hazardous Materials Legislation in Queensland: A Guide - CHEM services Information Paper No. 9
- LP Gas – Storage and Handling of LP gas under the DGSM Act.
- Major Hazard Facilities – Assessing Development Applications – Interim Risk Objectives.
- Major Hazard Facilities – a suite of 10 guidelines.
- Planning for Safety – Hazardous Industry Planning for Safety – a Guide for Industry and Local Government – CHEM services Information Paper No.10.
- Rail Transport – Dangerous Goods Information at Rail Transport Incidents in Queensland – CHEM services Information Paper No.7.
- Road Transport – Dangerous Goods Information at Road Transport Incidents – CHEM services Information Paper No.4.
- Storage and Handling – Safe Storage and Handling of Dangerous
Goods – Guidelines for Industry
Community Consultation - Community Consultation and Communication Guidelines
These guidelines have been produced to help Major Hazard Facilities comply with their obligations under the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 to undertake community consultation and communication.
Cost: within Australia $22.00 (GST inclusive) overseas $20.00 (GST exclusive). See the order form for purchasing instructions (the order form is a PDF document).
Click here to view the guide (PDF / 269 KB).
EMERGENCY PLANS: Guidelines for Major Hazard Facilities
This
original publication on emergency planning by the CHEM services and the Queensland
Fire and Rescue Authority focuses on facilities that represent a major hazard.
These guidelines complement the Worksafe National Standard [NOHSC:1014(1996)]
on the Control of Major Hazard Facilities, and will assist operators in complying
with their obligations under this Standard. It covers the basic concepts of
emergency management, focussing on the emergency planning process for large
industries.
Cost: within Australia $22.00 (GST inclusive) overseas $20.00 (GST exclusive).
See the order form for purchasing instructions (the order form is a PDF document).
EMERGENCY PLANNING: Guidelines for Hazardous Industry
These guidelines address practical issues confronting people who manage hazardous materials.
Cost: Hardcopy booklet - within Australia $22.00 (GST inclusive) overseas $20.00 (GST exclusive).
To get a copy, see the order form (the order form is a PDF document).
Electronic copy: No charge. Click here to view (PDF / 4,644 KB – note the large file size).
A Guide to the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001
The
new Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 is a significant community
safety initiative designed to protect people, property and the environment.
This guide was produced for the occupiers of Major Hazard Facilities, Large
Dangerous Goods Locations, Dangerous Goods Locations and Minor Storage workplaces
as a quick reference to their obligations under the new Act.
Cost: within Australia $22.00 (GST inclusive) overseas $20.00 (GST exclusive). See the order form for purchasing instructions (the order form is a PDF document).
There are two versions of this document:
- Click here to view the printer friendly version of the guide (PDF / 83 KB).
- Click here to view the hard-copy version of the guide (PDF / 404 KB).
Safe Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods:
Guidelines for Industry
These
guidelines have been produced to help industry identify whether the Dangerous
Goods Safety Management Act 2001 applies to your site, and if so, what
are your obligations. These laws require industry to meet national benchmarks
for the safe storage and handling of dangerous goods and combustible liquids.
Cost: within Australia $22.00 (GST inclusive) overseas $20.00 (GST exclusive). See the order form for purchasing instructions (the order form is a PDF document).
There are two versions of this document:
Please right-click on these files (Apple users Click-and-hold) and choose "Save Target As..."
- Click here to view the printer friendly version of the guide (PDF / 1.1MB).
- Click here to view the hard-copy version of the guide (PDF / 840 KB).
Interim Risk Objectives: A Guide for Assessing MHF and Possible MHF Development
Applications
As
a concurrence agency for development applications involving a material change
of use for a Major Hazard Facility (MHF) or a possible MHF, the Department
of Emergency Services (DES) is required, under S 3.3.15 of the Integrated
Planning Act 1997 to assess such applications "against the laws that
are administered by, and the policies that are reasonably identifiable as
policies applied by, the referral agency".
While it is not intended that a code or a policy should be formulated or declared at this point, DES recognizes the need for guidance as to how the laws it administers will influence the assessment of development applications falling within its jurisdiction. The purpose of this publication is to provide the necessary guidance.
Click here to view the guide (PDF / 9 KB).
DGSM Information Papers
DGSM Information paper No.1: Placarding For Dangerous Goods Storage
When emergency services respond to fires and chemical spills at premises that store dangerous goods and combustible liquids, the responders need to know the potential hazards involved at such incidents. Placards are a means of alerting the emergency services to the presence of hazardous materials and providing information about them.
Version released January 2004. Click here to view (PDF / 736 KB). Please note that this is a large file and may take some time to download. For best results right-click on the lin (Apple users click-and-hold) and choose "Save Target As..." to save the file on your computer.
DGSM Information paper No.2: Manifests For Dangerous Goods Storage
When emergency services respond to fires and chemical spills at premises that store dangerous goods and combustible liquids, the responders need to know the potential hazards involved at such incidents. For effective and efficient emergency action, they need information about the type, quantity and locations of the dangerous goods and combustible liquids stored at the premises. Manifests are a means of providing this information, and should be part of the overall safety management strategy for premises storing and handling dangerous goods.
Click here to view (PDF / 186 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.3: Minor Storage of Stated Dangerous Goods and
Combustible Liquids
Many workplaces store or handle relatively small quantities of dangerous
goods, a situation commonly referred to as ‘minor storage’. The
Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 (DGSM Act) does apply to minor
storage, but with less onerous requirements than for storage of larger quantities.
This Information Paper provides guidance for occupiers of ‘minor storage
workplaces’ on how to meet their safety obligations under the DGSM
Act. In particular, it addresses the question ‘What is minor storage
within the DGSM framework?'.
Click here to view (PDF: 825 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.4: Choosing a Consultant for the Storage and Handling
of Dangerous Goods
In most situations involving the storage and handling of dangerous goods
or combustible liquids, it is unlikely that the skills of a consultant will
be required to meet the requirements of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management
Act 2001. However, there may be situations where it is appropriate to engage
a suitably qualified and experienced consultant. The purpose of this paper
is to help occupiers to choose an appropriate consultant, when they have
determined such a need.
Click here to view (PDF: 29 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.5: Premises Classification for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods
Classification of premises where dangerous goods and combustible liquids are stored and handled is necessary to determine the legal obligations of occupiers of such premises under the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 . Obligations increase with increasing quantities of dangerous goods and combustible liquids on the site. The information paper describes the four classes of premises as defined under the legislation and provides guidelines, including a detailed step-by-step classification process to assist occupiers in classifying their premises as Dangerous Goods or Large Dangerous Goods Locations.
Click here to view (PDF / 250 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.6: Carrying out a Risk Assessment for Dangerous Goods
There are risks associated with the storage and handling of dangerous goods. Occupiers of premises that store and handle dangerous goods are required to carry out risk assessment under the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001 . The obligations of occupiers and procedures for assessing risk, including the calculation of "Relative level of risk" are described in the information paper.
Click here to view (PDF / 240 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.9: Safety Management Systems for Dangerous Goods Locations
Click here to view (PDF / 311 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.10: Spills Containment and Clean-up Measures for Dangerous Goods and Combustible Liquids
Under the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001 , occupiers of premises that store and handle dangerous goods and combustible liquids are required to contain and clean up spills of such materials. Occupiers of such premises need to have spill containment systems and procedures in place. The publication explains the obligations of occupiers and provides guidelines for the management of spills of dangerous goods and combustible liquids, including factors to consider in deciding whether to apply containment measures; types of measures for containment and clean-up and types of material, equipment and personal protective gear.
Click here to view (PDF / 202 KB).
DGSM Information paper No.11: F&C licensing
This information paper has been updated to incorporate the AS1940 - 2004 edition requirements for minor storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
Flammable and combustible liquids (FCLs) constitute by far the largest group of hazardous materials commonly used in Queensland. Because of their potential to cause or exacerbate a fire they are considered to present such a large risk that special provisions for their storage and handling are needed. Common FCLs include petrol, kerosene and diesel fuel. This information paper provides information on licensing for the storage of flammable and combustible liquids under the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001.
Click here to view (PDF / 299 KB).
Storage and Handling of LP Gas under the DGSM Act
Joint Publications with LPG Supply Industry
The Australian Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (ALPGA) and the CHEM services, with the support of the Petroleum and Gas Operations Branch of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, have published three documents to assist users of LP Gas to meet their obligations under the DGSM legislation:
- "A Guide for the Storage and Handling of LP Gas at Dangerous
Goods Locations"
Click here to view (PDF / 1.3MB)
- "LP Gas Customer Emergency Plan and Procedure" (note that this
document is also included as an appendix in the above Guide)
Click here to view (PDF / 1.2 MB)
- "A Guide for the Storage and Handling of LP Gas in Minor
Storage Quantities"
Click here to view (PDF / 435 KB)
CHEM services Information Papers
Hazardous Industry Planning for Safety
A Guide for Industry and Local Government
The
advancement of science, technology and industry has led to the increased use
of hazardous materials in workplaces. Not only are large quantities of hazardous
materials being used, but the range of products and the number and type of
industries have significantly increased in recent years. Land use planning
seeks to ensure that neighbouring land uses are compatible. Past experiences
(Bhopal, Mexico City) have shown the devastating effects that can occur when
poor planning decisions are made.
This Information Paper outlines the reasons why planning for safety is essential, and describes some of the tools and techniques that can be used by authorities to assist in this task.
Click here to view (PDF / 320 KB).
Dangerous Goods Information at Road Transport Incidents
This
paper accords with the requirements of the Australian Code for the Transport
of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADG Code). It provides a guide to the
sources of information which may be available at a road transport incident
involving dangerous goods.
Click here to view (PDF / 632 KB).
Vehicle Fires and Fluoroelastomer (VITON)
The
purpose of this information paper is to identify the risk posed by fluoroelastomer
combustion to emergency services at vehicle fires and refute claims that the
amputation of a limb is inevitable following such exposure.
Click here to view (PDF / 28 KB).
Dangerous Goods Information at Rail Transport Incidents in Queensland
This
paper provides a guide to the on-site sources of information which may be
available at a rail transport incident involving dangerous goods. It reflects
the requirements of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Road and Rail (ADG Code). Off-site sources of information are also covered.
Click here to view (PDF / 405 KB).
Safe Storage of Unwanted Farm Chemicals
These
guidance notes provide general advice on the safe storage of unwanted farm
chemicals to minimise the risks of a spill or fire or harm to people, property
or the environment.
Click here to view (PDF / 69 KB).
Hazardous Materials Legislation in Queensland: A Guide - CHEM services Information Paper No. 9
This paper provides a brief overview of those pieces of Queensland legislation that address in some measure the storage, transport, handling, use or management of hazardous materials.
Click here to view (PDF / 115 KB).
Last updated 19 January 2006

