The regulations provide minimum safety standards to protect the worker, the community and the environment from the effects of fires, explosions and escapes of dangerous goods.

The regulations do not apply to the storage and handling of :

• Asbestos

• Explosives

• Limited quantities of dangerous goods at non-workplaces (usually domestic premises) such as:

- medical oxygen (no limit)

- oxygen and acetylene welding sets (up to 10 cubic metres of each gas)

- Flammable liquid (petrol, turpentine, kerosene, etc.) up to 250L provided no container is more than 25 litres.

-other dangerous goods up to 100kg

• LP Gas (in most cases)

Generally, all premises which store, handle, transfer, use manufacture or sell dangerous goods are affected by the regulations. Some examples of the types of premises affected by the regulations are:

• Chemical plants
• Fuel depots
• Trade premises (panel beaters, etc)
• Gas depots
• Retailers (hardware stores, supermarkets)
• Service stations
• Pool supply shops
• Farms and farm suppliers
• Educational institutions

The regulations consist of 12 parts:

1. General
1. Self-assessment, Registration, Notification
1. Accident Prevention
1. Design and Construction
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 2
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 3
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 4
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 5
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 6
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 8
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Class 9
1. Requirements for Storage and Handling of Mixed Storage

This part deals with items such as Objectives (Reg 102), Application (Reg 105), Definitions (Reg 107), etc.

Some workplaces are required to be registered, licensed or provide notification. The extent of these requirements depends on the assessment factor calculation.

The assessment factor is a calculation of the risk of the dangerous goods present at a workplace. It is weighted to account for not only quantity but also dangerous goods of great hazard.

Most workplaces will have to calculate an assessment factor to determine their obligations under the regulations. Domestic premises and workplaces with small quantities of dangerous goods will not need to carry out the calculation.

Schedule 2 of the regulations - Method for Determining the Assessment Factor for Dangerous Goods Kept at Premises. (page 168)

Refer to handout "Registration, Notification and Licensing of Premises". (pages 3-7).

Example:

How to calculate an Assessment Factor.

1. Calculate the Assessment Factor for the following premises:

Metal Work Pty Ltd 22 Smith Street Ironville

Occupier Fred Copper

Date Prepared 6 March 1998

Mary Tungsten 123 4567

Steven Cobolt 891 2345

*G size cylinder = 50L

*D size cylinder = 10L

2. Using the information contained in the handout "Registration, Notification and Licensing of Premises" and the outcome of the assessment factor calculation, determine what obligations the occupier of the premises must meet.

Refer handout "Hazard Management" pages 2-7.

Internal Placarding refer to handout "Hazard Management" pages 15 & 16.

Determine the type of placarding required for the following premises.

Metal Work Pty Ltd 22 Smith Street Ironville

Occupier Fred Copper

Date Prepared 6 March 1998

Mary Tungsten 123 4567

Steven Cobolt 891 2345

Refer to handout "Hazard Management" pages 9-12.

Refer to handout "Hazard Management page 13.

If the assessment factor is >100 then the fire authority may require a safety information board.

The safety information board must contain the following:

• location of manifest and site plans;
• location of emergency plans and emergency equipment;
• telephone numbers of people who can assist in emergencies.

The safety board must be located where fire authorities request.

Compliance with fire authority’s requirements, see handout "Hazard Management" pages 14 - 17.

Equipment:

• sprinklers conform to AS2118;
• fire hose reels conform to AS1221 and installed to AS2441;
• fire hydrants conform to AS2419;
• fire extinguishers conform to AS1841, AS1842, AS1844, AS1845, AS1846, AS1847 or AS1848.

Maintenance of Equipment:

• fire extinguishers AS1851 - Part 1;
• fire hose reels AS1851 - Part 2;
• sprinklers AS1851 - Part 3;
• fire hydrants AS1851 - Part 4.

Section 32 of the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 states that:

A Licensee or a prescribed person shall, without delay, report:

Occupiers with an assessment factor of 10 or more must report the type of accident, as defined in reg 316(2). Reportable accidents involving dangerous goods are:

• all accidents involving personal injury or property damage;
• all accidental spills or leaks of greater than 200kg or litres;
• all accidental spills of any quantity of Class 2.3 dangerous goods;
• all accidental spills of any quantity of packaging group I dangerous goods;
• all accidental spills of any quantity of Class 2.2 dangerous goods listed in Schedule 6 of the regulations;
• any accidental spill or leak which is not confined within the premises, ie discharges to drains, rivers, creeks, etc.

In addition to these the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety (Incident Notification) Regulations 1997 must be met.

Reg 400

• In addition to Parts 5 - 12 of these regs Part 4 must be followed.
• If there is any conflict between Part 4 and Parts 5 - 12 then Parts 5 - 12 prevail.

Table 107 of the regulations (pages 14, 15 & 16) sets out what is considered minor quantities for each class of dangerous goods.

Refer to handout "Storage and Handling of Small Quantities" pages 9 - 12.

The following regulations apply to minor quantities:

• reg 400 Application
• reg 401 Requirements for the storage of dangerous goods in minor quantities and retail areas.
• reg 402 Retention of spills within premises.
• reg 407 Design of racks for storing packages.
• reg 410 Restriction on storage of glass carboys.
• reg 419 Avoidance of static electricity problems.
• reg 436 Restrictions on use of flame, ignition sources, etc. for repair.
• Division 7 Safe operating procedures.
• Division 9 Inspection, repair and maintenance of plant and equipment.

• Retention of spills within premises (Reg 402)

• Laboratories (Reg 404)

• Design of package storage areas (Reg 405)

• Separation from neighbouring properties (Reg 406)

• Design of racks for storing packages (Reg 407)

• Offices inside a package store (Reg 408)

• Package inspection and decontamination areas (Reg 411)

• Tank spill collection compounds (Reg 412)

An occupier must ensure that every tank used for the storage of Dangerous Goods is located in a spill compound which is:

Single Tank For a single tank the capacity of the compound must be capable of holding at least 100% of the capacity of the tank.

Multiple Tanks If more than one tank is located within the spill compound, then the capacity must be at least equal to the largest tank, plus 10% of the next largest tank.

If a sprinkler system is installed, then the capacity of the compound must be increased by a value equal to the volume output of the sprinklers over 20 minutes.

• Tanks in the same compound (Reg 413)

All tanks, other than demountable or tank containers used for transport, are to be permanently installed on stable foundations.

• Construction of the spill compounds (Reg 414)

The compound perimeter walls are to be:

(i) impervious to, and compatible with the goods stored;

(ii) Placed to contain spills from the highest tank;

(ii) Separated from protected works by at least 5m.

• Location of pumps (Reg 415)

Product pumps are to be installed outside the compound, unless elevated above the perimeter height or protected by an approved means which prevents the pump form becoming inoperable or a hazard in case of spillage.

• Restrictions on smoking (etc) (Reg 416)

• Electrical Equipment (Reg 417)

• Avoidance of Static Electricity (Reg 419)

• Lighting (Reg 421)

• Industrial trucks (Reg 422)

• Security (424)

• Access (Reg 425)
  

• Housekeeping (Reg 426)

• Training (Reg 427)

• Personal Protective Equipment (Reg 428)

• Duties of Employees (Reg 429)

• Handling and conveying dangerous goods (Reg 430)

• Restriction on Opening Packages in a Store (Reg. 431)

Except where elsewhere stated, a sole or inner package may not be opened inside a package store.

This does not apply to packages opened for testing, inspection or tinting paint for immediate sale, provided it is securely resealed and the opening does not pose a risk to health or safety.

• Packages and containers for Dangerous Goods (Reg 432)

Any package which is filled with dangerous goods for use, other than at the premises at which it is filled, "must meet the specifications required by the Transport Code".

• Inspection and Maintenance of Plant and Equipment (Reg 434)

The occupier is required to institute procedures for a programme of regular inspections of plant and equipment, storage tanks and package stores.

Obviously the inspection of package stores will be visible inspections only to assess condition of walls, roof, floors, bunds, electrical equipment, etc.

Depending on the complexity of the plant and equipment, the inspection could range from visible inspection in the case of batch misusing equipment through to complete shut-down in the case of complex plant.

There is no period specified for the inspections discussed above.

The regulations require that storage tanks be inspected for integrity of the tank and fittings at least every 10 years and that the inspection be done in accordance with AS1940 or other approved methods.

Parts 5 to 12 of the regulations cover:

(a) Storage of Classes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9.

(b) Storage of certain individual dangerous goods, e.g. Chlorine, Ammonia, Isocyanides, Hydrogen Peroxide, Pool Chlorine; and

(c) Mixed storage of packaged dangerous goods.

These Parts of the regulations generally apply to all quantities of dangerous goods greater than MINOR QUANTITIES, with some additional provisions for storage of minor quantities.

This Part regulates the storage of all Class 2 dangerous goods (gases), with the exception of LP Gas, which has its own storage regulations. There are 12 Divisions in this part, of which the first details general requirements for all gases, encompassing:

Generally cylinders must be stored outside unless:

Any building used for the storage of cylinders must be ventilated as prescribed in the regulations and provided with explosion venting if flammable gases are involved.

Where cylinders are stored outside they must be:

Cylinders of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide must be separated from flammable gases by at least 3 metres or by a barrier of at least thirty minutes fire-resistance.

The other Divisions cover storage of various types of Class 2 gases and include:

This has placed restrictions on the sale of Nitrous oxide, a substance which has been widely used in the past in modified vehicles used in street drag racing. The regulations require that nitrous oxide may not be sold as motor fuel unless the sale or use (and the vehicle in which it is to be used) has been approved by the Chief Commissioner of Police. Records of sales must be kept.

The regulations specify Australian Standard 1940 as the requirement of storage of Class 3 flammable liquids. Combustible Liquids are also regulated. There are some variations and additions to AS 1940, including a prohibition on tanks being installed inside or under buildings.

AS1940 contains rules for the construction and location of both storage tanks and package stores including:

• Separation from boundaries;
• Separation from protected works;
• Spill control;
• Ventilation for package stores; and
• Requirements for electrical equipment and forklift trucks.

An interesting addition is a regulation on portable containers for motor fuel. This requirement that Class 3 dangerous goods must not e dispensed into any container except:

This regulation is aimed at stopping the hazardous practice of filling fuel into unsuitable plastic or glass containers, especially food containers. It does not required metal containers to comply with AS 2906, however it does require plastic containers to comply unless they are approved by the Director-General. Plastic containers complying with an overseas standard fit this category.

This part firstly specifies requirements for the storage of Class 4 dangerous goods in packages, including ventilation, spillage retention and explosion venting if flammable gases or combustible dusts can be generated. There are then 3 sections with specific requirements for the storage and handling of Classes 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 in packages (Storage of bulk Class 4 is to be in accordance with requirements specified by the Director-General in each case).

The section on storage of Class 4.1 specifies the types of rooms or spaces which may be used and limits to 5,000 kilograms the amount of the most hazardous goods which can be stored in that room or space. There then follows a detailed group of regulations on the storage and handling of NITRO-CELLULOSE, including:

The requirements for package stores for Class 4.2 dangerous goods are of a general nature. There are two regulations on specific products; one which gives specifications for tanks for Class 4.2 and the other detailing requirements for the storage of Phosphorus in water.

As well as a small number of additional requirements for package store for Class 4.3 dangerous goods, there are specific requirements given for Calcium Carbide package stores.

Class 5 dangerous goods receive a through coverage as befits their nature. As well as the usual general requirements for package stores, there are prohibitions on the keeping of some Class 5 substances together, namely:

Dangerous goods of Class 5.1 Packaging Group I receive special treatment, including the requirement that they be stored in a room or space located away from other buildings. Sizes of stacks and separation from other occupancies are also specified. Similar sets of requirements are given for Class 5.1 Packaging Groups II and III.

Pool Chlorine, which is defined in the regulations as granular product only, i.e. excluding sodium hypochlorite (liquid), has its own special requirements.

Dangerous goods of Class 5.2 must be stored in compliance with Australian Standard 2714, with the additional requirement that the maximum quantity of dangerous goods of Class 5.2 Packaging Groups II and III that may be stored in a room or compartment is 1000 kilograms.

This section is probably the briefest in the parts of the regulations dealing with storage of individual classes of dangerous goods. The requirements are of a general nature but, in particular, specify rules for storage of Class 6.1 Poisons in proximity to foodstuffs. Location rules for package stores are given.

The storage of:

Regulation 1001 requires that personal protection equipment be provided near where the goods are kept.

Packages of Class 8 must be kept at least 5 metres from Class 4.3 or 5 and from inorganic cyanides.

Spill collection must be provided where packages are likely to be opened.

Regulation 1002 requires that Class 8 sub-risk 5.1 be separated by at least 3 metres from other dangerous goods of Class 8.

Regulation 1003 requires that:

• the room must be ventilated and provided with spillage control (where liquids are stored);
• construction must be corrosion-resistant; and
• package storage must be located in accordance with Table 1003 from boundaries, protected works and other Classes of dangerous goods.

Regulation 1004 details requirements for rooms where packages are filled or opened. Only compatible Class 8 materials must be filled in the same room.

An emergency shut off device must be provided for the filling equipment which is operable from both inside and outside the room.

An in-depth treatment of bulk storage of Class 8 is given, including materials of construction of storage tanks, design codes for tanks and requirements for pipes, valves and fittings on tanks.

This is not an area which requires an exhaustive treatment since most Class 9 dangerous goods are fairly innocuous in nature.

This is the final part of the regulations, yet in many ways is one of the most important. Many of the more notable fires involving dangerous goods both in Australian and overseas have occurred in mixed storage warehouses.

The requirements of this Part are to be observed, in addition to the requirements of the foregoing Parts of the regulations. They include:

Due to the increased hazards associated with mixed class storages, it is essential that the storage area be properly designed but, more importantly, it must be meticulously managed to ensure that goods which may react dangerously with one another are adequately separated. Similar care must also be taken with different dangerous goods of the same class (such as acids and alkalis which may be dangerously incompatible).

This section can be divided into three main areas of responsibilities:

Dangerous goods of Classes R, 2.3, 6.2, 7 and explosives are not permitted in a mixed storage. They must be kept alone in separate storage areas.

Note: Remember to check parts 5 - 11 to ensure that greater distances or separate storages are not required.

Each storage must be located in accordance with Parts 5 - 11, as appropriate to the specific Class kept OR in accordance with Table 1206 below, whichever provides the greatest distance.

This regulation allows for the short term storage of dangerous goods in transit while attracting substantially reduced storage conditions.

It would be appropriate here to look at the definition of a Transport Depot as given in the regulations:-

"Transport Depot" means an area at premises where dangerous goods are kept temporarily as part of the process of transporting them from one place to another.

This means that the concept can apply not only to a Transport Company premises but to an area at a manufacturing or other plant where goods are kept on a short term basis.

The following conditions apply to Transport Depots:-

• They must be clearly defined to avoid confusion with permanent storages.
  
• They must be located at least 15 metres from permanent storages or alternatively be separated by a 4 hour fire rated wall.
  
• No more than 200 tonnes of dangerous goods can be stored at any one time.
  
• No stack must contain more than 25 tonnes.
  
• Stacks must be at least 5 metres apart.
  
• No goods can remain in the Transport Depot for longer than 48 hours over two consecutive working days. This can be increased to 4 days over a weekend or public holiday or both.
  
• Segregation of incompatible dangerous goods must be as per Section 7 of the Australian Code of the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail. Incompatible Goods must not be kept in the same stack.
  
• Dangerous Goods aboard a vehicle must be separated from other dangerous goods by at least 8 metres.

These are the main requirements for a Transport Depot. Of course, other parts of the regulations will also apply. These are listed in Division 5 of Part 12 of the Regulations and in the colour brochure produced by YWA.