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Workplace safety - dangerous goods
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Dangerous goods are objects or substances that are potentially harmful to people or the environment, such as explosives or chemicals. Dangerous goods can blow up, burn, corrode or poison people. They should be handled, stored and transported with great care.
Dangerous goods are classified in various ways, including United Nations identification numbers, Hazchem codes and Packing Group Numbers. Some dangerous goods, such as certain chemicals, are also classified as hazardous substances. Employers using these products in the workplace must abide by the regulations for both dangerous goods and hazardous substances.
Examples of dangerous goods
Dangerous goods include:
- Compressed oxygen or other gases
- Explosives
- Flammable liquids, such as alcohol, and flammable solids, such as nitrocellulose
- Infectious substances
- Oxidising substances, such as ammonium dichromate or pool chlorine
- Radioactive materials.
Classifications for dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are classified according to their properties, such as ‘compressed toxic gas’, ‘flammable solid’ or ‘toxic liquid’. Some dangerous goods attract subsidiary risk classifications - for example, chlorine gas is classed as toxic first and corrosive second.
Dangerous goods have their own United Nations identification number. Packing Group numbers classify dangerous goods according to risk. ‘Packing Group I’ classification indicates a high risk substance and ‘Packing Group III’, a lower risk substance.
Finally, Hazchem codes give emergency services personnel shorthand information on the properties of the substance.
Dangerous goods in households
Australian homes commonly store small quantities of dangerous goods including petrol, kerosene, pesticides and pool chemicals such as chlorine. Safe handling suggestions include:
- Dangerous goods should be kept in their original containers and never decanted into other bottles.
- All labelling, including warning labels and manufacturers' instructions, should remain intact on the packaging.
- Different types of dangerous goods should be stored separately to prevent a chemical reaction. Liquids and powders should be separated.
- All ignition sources should be kept well away from the storage area.
- If in doubt, contact the manufacturer for information. They are required to provide safety information on their products.
- Dangerous goods should be kept out of reach of children in a secure location.
Storage and handling regulations for business premises
Regulations on storing and handling dangerous goods are designed to prevent accidents. Business premises such as chemical plants, service stations, laboratories and hospitals must comply with the regulations.
The regulations cover a range of safety issues, including:
- Storage design, construction and location
- Storage specifications for dangerous goods
- Separating dangerous goods that may react when stored together
- Fire prevention requirements
- Protection equipment installation
- The need to update WorkSafe Victoria on the type and quantity of all dangerous goods stored
- The need to keep a full record, or manifest, of dangerous goods to inform emergency services in case of an accident
- Some premises need licensing if they store more than a certain amount of dangerous goods.
Proper signposting is required
Some businesses - such as factories, warehouses, hospitals and farms - are required to post appropriate warning notices about the dangerous goods they store. These warning notices must be posted at various key locations throughout the business premises, including:
- At the vehicle entrance
- At all storage access points
- Hazchem signs at entrances, if your premises exceed the prescribed storage limit of some dangerous goods.
Hazchem signs
The Hazchem sign offers shorthand information about the dangerous goods to emergency services personnel, including:
- The type of fire extinguishing agent required, such as water or foam
- Details of violent reactions
- Suggested personal protective equipment
- Information on whether to dilute the effluent
- Whether evacuation is necessary.
Accident prevention
In the event of an accident, emergency services personnel need to know about the type and amounts of dangerous goods stored on your premises. A detailed list should be available to emergency services personnel.
Some businesses need to prepare plans for emergencies in consultation with the relevant fire protection authority. An emergency management plan may include:
- Evacuation procedure for the workers
- Standard procedures for contacting emergency services
- Emergency contact lists, including after hours telephone numbers
- Emergency equipment details
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) location
- Site-containment measures.
Professional advice
Organisations such as WorkSafe Victoria can give valuable information on all safety issues pertaining to the storage, transport and handling of dangerous goods.
Where to get help
- Your workplace occupational health and safety coordinator
- WorkSafe Victoria Tel. (03) 9641 1444 or 1800 136 089 (toll free)
- Information Victoria Tel. 1300 366 356
- Standards Australia Tel. 1800 035 822 (toll free).
Things to remember
- Dangerous goods can blow up, burn, corrode or poison people.
- Laws relating to dangerous goods are designed to prevent accidents.
- Organisations such as WorkSafe Victoria can give information on the storage, transport and handling of dangerous goods.
You might also be interested in:
Farm safety - handling chemicals.
Farming is a dangerous job.
Hazardous waste.
Work-related fatalities.
Work issues - infection control.
Workplace health - coping with a critical incident.
Workplace safety - confined spaces.
Workplace safety - hazardous substances.
Workplace safety - manual handling injuries.
Workplace safety - noise pollution.
Workplace safety - overuse injuries.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
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This page has been produced in consultation with, and approved by:
DHS - Employee Wellbeing Unit
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Copyight © 1999/2010 State of Victoria. Reproduced from the Better Health Channel (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) at no cost with permission of the Victorian Minister for Health. Unauthorised reproduction and other uses comprised in the copyright are prohibited without permission.
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This Better Health Channel fact sheet has passed through a rigorous approval process. For the latest updates and more information visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
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Last updated: December 2009
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