STORAGE AND HANDLING OF DANGEROUS GOODS
Dangerous goods are substances or articles that pose a risk to people, property or the environment, due to their chemical or physical properties. Dangerous goods are usually classified with reference to the immediate hazard they pose rather than the long-term health effects.
In Australia, dangerous goods are defined by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG). The classification criteria used in the ADG is based on the United Nations Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
The University is required to comply with legislation relating to the storage and handling of Dangerous Goods. The handing requirements are very similar to those for using hazardous substances, but there are additional requirements relating to the storage and transport of Dangerous Goods.
Classification of Dangerous Goods
Following is a list of dangerous goods classes (excluding the sub-classes for explosives).
| Class 1 - Explosives | Class 5.1 - Oxidising Substances |
| Class 2.1 - Flammable Gases | Class 5.2 - Organic peroxides |
| Class 2.2 - Non-flammable, non-toxic gases | Class 6.1 - Toxic substances |
| Class 2.3 - Toxic gases | Class 6.2 - Infectious substances |
| Class 3 - Flammable liquids | Class 7 - Radioactive substances |
| Class 4.1 - Flammable solids | Class 8 - Corrosive substances |
| Class 4.2 - Substances liable to spontaneous combustion | Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles |
| Class 4.3 - Dangerous when wet |
Proper Shipping Names and UN Numbers
Proper shipping names and UN numbers are assigned by the United Nations Committee of Experts for the Transport of Dangerous Goods. They are used worldwide for the quick identification of dangerous goods. The University is required to use this standard terminology when submitting information to WorkCover NSW and communicating with emergency services personnel.
The proper shipping name for a particular substance or article is the name used to describe that substance or article during transport. The proper shipping name for ethanol is “Ethanol”, but the proper shipping name for a less common substance that is not individually listed in the ADG, will be a generic description, eg. “Flammable Liquid n.o.s.” (not otherwise specified). In this case, the chemical name of the substance would be included in brackets following the generic description.
A UN number is a four digit number representing a particular chemical or group of chemicals (eg. UN1170 represents Ethanol, and UN1263 represents Paint and Related Products).
Packing Groups
Packing groups are used to indicate the degree of danger associated with dangerous goods within a given class.
Packing Group I Great Danger
Packing Group II Medium Danger
Packing Group III Minor Danger
Legislation
The legislation relating to the storage and handling of dangerous goods has recently changed. The Dangerous Goods Act 1975 has been repealed and the following legislation has commenced.
- OHS Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Act 2003 and the supporting OHS Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Regulation 2005. These changes have been incorporated into Chapter 6A of the OHS Regulation 2001.
- Explosives Act 2003 and the supporting Explosives Regulation 2005
Dangerous Goods (excluding Class 1 & Class 7)
The recent changes to the dangerous goods legislation require anyone using or storing dangerous goods to adopt a risk management approach. The requirements for the use of dangerous goods now replicate the requirements for the use of hazardous substances at work, i.e:
- a register of dangerous goods must be maintained with a copy of the MSDSs for each material used;
- all dangerous goods must be labelled in accordance with set protocols;
- risk assessments must be carried out for each task involving the use of dangerous goods; and
- people working with dangerous goods must be provided with adequate training and supervision to ensure their safety.
In addition to the requirements for the use of dangerous goods, above certain volume thresholds the new legislation details specific requirements for placarding, risk assessments, notification, manifests, and emergency planning.
Detailed guidance for the storage and handling of each class of dangerous goods will be developed and published on this web site when available.
Note - the storage and handling of combustible liquids (as defined by Australian Standard 1940: 2004) are also regulated under this legislation.
Class 1 - Explosives
It is now illegal to be in possession of explosives without a licence. All new licence applications will require a probity assessment by Police and ASIO, etc. The new legislation also allows for the regulation of explosive precursors and other substances thought to be a security risk. These have been called Security Sensitive Dangerous Substances (SSDS). Ammonium Nitrate is the first substance to be controlled as a SSDS. It is now illegal to possess Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (any emulsion, gel, suspension or mixture with greater than 45% ammonium nitrate) without a licence. However, there is a 3 kg exemption limit for research activities.
All departments and research groups are required to review their chemical stocks and notify OHSIM immediately if in possession of any explosives, explosive chemicals or any volume of Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate.
Class 7 - Radioactive Substances
The storage and handling of radioactive substances is regulated separately under the Radiation Control Act 1990 and the supporting Radiation Control Regulation 2003. The general principles relating to keeping accurate records of the isotopes stored and used (manifest), obtaining MSDSs, labeling containers and processes, and completing risk assessments still apply. However, the specific requirements may vary slightly. In addition to these requirements, staff and students working with radiation must undertake training in Radiation Safety and obtain a licence from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). Sealed radioactive sources (equipment) and facilities where radiation is used or stored must also be registered with DEC. For further information about the use and storage of radioactive materials, please contact Howard Ackland (Radiation Safety Officer) on 1-7722.
Placards provide a visual warning of the hazards associated with the storage of dangerous goods. These are particularly important for emergency services personnel such as the fire brigade. Placards must be installed where dangerous goods are used or stored in volumes that exceed the threshold quantities detailed below.
| Dangerous Goods | Packing Group | Placard Threshold Quantities |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2.1 | N/A | 10 x G Size Gas Cylinders |
| Class 2.2 | N/A | 100 x G Size Cylinders |
| Class 2.2/5.1 | N/A | 40 x G Size Cylinders |
| Class 2.3 | N/A | 1 x G Size Cylinder |
| Cryogenic Fluids | N/A | 1000 L |
| Class 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, or 8 |
I II III |
50 L or Kg 250 L or Kg 1 000 L or Kg |
| Class 9 |
II III |
1 000 L of Kg 5 000 L or Kg |
| C1 Combustible Liquids |
Stored with other fire risk dangerous goods |
1 000 L |
| Stored separately in bulk | 10 000 L | |
|
Stored separately in packages |
50 000 L | |
| Mixed Classes of Dangerous Goods where none of the individual classes exceed the limits above. |
N/A |
2 000 L or Kg |
There are two types of placards required at the University.
Outer Warning Signs
The University is currently working with the the NSW Fire Brigade to establish a protocol for the placement of outer warning signs on University Campuses. It is anticipated that they will be postioned at the main entrances to buildings where dangerous goods are stored.
Placards at Storage Locations
The relevant Dangerous goods diamonds must be displayed on or near each storage location that exceeds the quantaties shown in the table above.
The new legislation requires that a risk assessment be carried out for each storage location or process that contains more than the placarding quantities detailed above.
The risk assessment must address:
- potential spillage or leakage;
- fires and explosions;
- incompatibility of goods;
- plant used in or around the storage area;
- the impact of an incident on the surrounding area (including adjacent buildings);
- the risks associated with occassional work such as repairs and maintenance; and
- the security of the dangerous goods in use or storage.
The WorkCover NSW Code of Practice for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods and the relevant Austalian Standards for the storage and handling of various classes of dangerous goods provide detailed guidance regarding appropriate control measures. University Staff and Students can access Australian Standards via the University of Sydney Library-Electronic Databases.
OHSIM plans to develop some specific guidance and tools to faciltiate the completion of these risk assessments at the local level.
Where dangerous goods are used or stored in volumes greater than the threshold quantities detailed below, WorkCover NSW must be notified, and manifests and emergency plans must be developed.
| Dangerous Goods | Packing Group | Manifest Threshold Quantities |
|---|---|---|
| Class 2.1 | N/A | 100 x G Size Gas Cylinders |
| Class 2.2 | N/A | 200 x G Size Cylinders |
| Class 2.2/5.1 | N/A | 200 x G Size Cylinders |
| Class 2.3 | N/A | 10 x G Size Cylinder |
| Cryogenic Fluids | N/A | 10,000 L |
| Class 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, or 8 |
I II III |
500 L or Kg 2 500 L or Kg 10 000 L or Kg |
| Class 9 |
II III |
10 000 L of Kg 10 000 L or Kg |
| C1 Combustible Liquids | Stored with other fire risk dangerous goods | 10 000 L |
| Stored separately in bulk | 100 000 L | |
| Stored separately in packages | 100 000 L | |
| Mixed Classes of Dangerous Goods where none of the individual classes exceed the limits above. |
N/A |
10 000 L or Kg |
Due to the large number of dangerous goods depots at the University and the limited time for compliance, the WorkCover notification is being submitted in two stages. The documentation for Stage 1 of the notification process has been completed and
a survey of all relevant departments will be carried out to gather information for Stage 2 of the notification process.
Where dangerous goods are stored or used in volumes greater than manifest quantities, local and site manifests, and local and site emergency plans must be established.
The University is currently working with the NSW Fire Brigade to establish protocols for the format and location of manifests and emergency plans.
It is anticipated that a local manifest will be generated for all buildings containing greater than placard quantities and the local manifests will be compiled to generate the site manifests as required.
Last updated: 28 March 2006
Maintained by: Matthew Mitchell