Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions for dangerous goods

This series of frequently asked questions has been prepared for our Western Australian clients, however many of the principles also apply to other states/territories in Australia.  Atomic DG welcomes queries from all DG businesses, regardless of their location in Australia.

1. What are dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals?

Dangerous goods are substances which present an immediate physical or chemical effect, such as exploding, burning, or poisoning.

Hazardous substances are classified due to their health effect, which may be immediate such as poisoning, or long term such as skin or respiratory disorders.

Some chemicals are classified as both Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances.

2. What are the classes of dangerous goods?

Dangerous goods are assigned to the following classes and divisions:

• Class 1 – explosives
• Class 2 – gas
  • Division 2.1 – flammable gas
  • Division 2.2 – non-flammable, non-toxic gas
  • Division 2.3 – toxic gas
• Class 3 – flammable liquid
• Class 4
  • Division 4.1 – flammable solid
  • Division 4.2 – spontaneously combustible
  • Division 4.3 – dangerous when wet
• Class 5 – oxidisers
  • Division 5.1 – oxidising substances
  • Division 5.2 – organic peroxides
• Class 6
  • Division 6.1 – toxic substances
  • Division 6.2 – infectious substances
• Class 8 – corrosive substances
• Class 9 – miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles

Substances can also be assigned to more than one dangerous goods class, such as oxygen, which is a Division 2.2/5.1 (a non-flammable non-toxic gas that is also an oxidiser).

3. What is Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate?

Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (SSAN) refers to ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate emulsions, which are dangerous goods (Division 5.1 oxidisers), and a key ingredient in explosives.

Ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO) is a dangerous good Class 1 (explosive), and is not SSAN.

4. Why bother with dangerous goods safety?

Dangerous goods include substances which are explosive, flammable, corrosive, or toxic.  They can kill or injure workers, and can seriously damage property and the environment.

It is a requirement of every state and territory legislation in Australia that dangerous goods are stored and handled safely.

Businesses that don’t meet this requirement are exposed to penalties under DG Regulations, have a higher risk of dangerous goods incidents, and are likely to find their insurance policies are void.

5. How does a dangerous goods consultant add value?

An experienced Dangerous Goods Consultant helps to make things easier and safer for their client.  Clients can best use a DG Consultant to:

6. Where do I find a Dangerous Goods Consultant?

For dangerous goods sites in Western Australia, choose Atomic DG of course!  However, if a second opinion is required, the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety website contains a list of persons who are accredited to act as Dangerous Goods Consultants.  A copy of this list (current 2019) can be found here.

For clients located outside WA, the Australasian Institute of Dangerous Goods Consultants also maintains a list of consultants who operate mainly in the eastern states. http://aidgc.org.au/consultants

7. What is a dangerous goods assessment?

Typically, a dangerous goods assessment compares the requirements of Australian Standards with what is actually present in a DG system.  Areas of non-compliance or query are then captured in a client report, to be actioned in a timely manner.

Occasionally, a first principles risk assessment is used because the DG system has unusual hazards or deviations from Australian Standards.  A first principles risk assessment uses a “probability” and “consequence” table to generate a “risk ranking” for each hazard.  The risk rankings determine how the hazards are addressed e.g. high risk hazards are eliminated immediately, whereas low risk items may be deemed acceptable.

A DG assessment must be undertaken by a person who has the competency and experience required for the risk presented by the dangerous goods.  For large quantity or high risk dangerous goods, an approved Dangerous Goods Consultant is always recommended.

8. When does a site need a dangerous goods assessment?

In Western Australia, large quantity sites such as service stations, chemical factories, and some mines, as well as sites with high risk DGs, must have a dangerous goods assessment.  This is a specific requirement under the WA DG Regulations.

Small to medium quantity sites should also have a dangerous goods assessment, as this is the best way to demonstrate that DG Regulations have been complied with, and, that the business has a safe worksite.

The above approach also applies to most other states and territories in Australia.

An experienced Dangerous Goods Consultant is the best place to start for businesses that are unsure about which category they fit into.

9. When does a site need a dangerous goods licence?

In Western Australia, a quantity threshold is used to identify large quantity sites that require a DG licence.  DG licences may also be required for sites with small quantities of goods which are highly dangerous, such a chlorine gas at public swimming pools.

To find out if a DG licence is required, simply ask a Dangerous Goods Consultant who can often provide an answer within a short phone call.

10. What about SSAN and explosives licences?

For Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (SSAN), a licence to possess these goods is generally required for any amount.

• Licences are required for activities including import/export, transport, storage, and manufacture of SSAN.
• For sites that store SSAN, a DG storage licence is usually required.

For explosives, a licence to store or use the explosives is generally required for any amount.

11. What documentation does a dangerous goods site need?

The level of documentation required by a dangerous goods site is normally determined by the amount and type of DGs being stored.  Typically though, most dangerous goods sites must have:

• A dangerous goods site plan, which shows:
  • Key site features such as the property boundary, offices, workshops, and access points for emergency services.
  • The locations of all major DG stores on site, along with a description of the type and quantity of goods being stored.
  • Emergency response equipment such as fire hydrants and hose reels, utility isolation points (power, water, gas) and means of capturing firewater runoff.
• A dangerous goods manifest, which corresponds with the DG stores shown on the DG site plan.
• Detailed drawings of complex or high risk DG stores, such as tank and bund general arrangements, piping & instrumentation diagrams, and hazardous area drawings.
• Dangerous goods licences (if required).
• Dangerous goods compliance assessments.
• An emergency response plan.
• Safety Data Sheets (previously known as MSDS) for all DGs on site.
• Operation and maintenance procedures.
• Records of maintenance and inspection events, for DG storage and handling equipment.
• Evidence of staff training.

Creating and maintaining the appropriate level of documentation requires a significant amount of effort, particularly for the more complex sites.  DG Consultants assist businesses by providing required documentation, and assisting with other documents where economical to do so.

12. What about small quantity dangerous goods sites? Do they need to comply with Dangerous Goods Regulations?

Sites in Western Australia with small quantities of low risk dangerous goods may be exempt from many of the WA DG Regulations.

Businesses who feel their site meets these criteria should contact a DG Consultant to:

• Confirm if the site really is a “small quantity dangerous goods site”, and if so,
• How to meet the DG Regulations that still apply.