Dangerous goods are substances or articles that present an immediate hazard to people, property or the environment. They include explosives; gases; flammable liquids; solids with a flammability hazard; oxidising substances; toxics; radioactive substances; corrosives and miscellaneous dangerous goods such as dry ice, molten bitumen and environmentally hazardous substances.
Dangerous goods are listed in the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail. The Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail contains a list of explosives.
You can also find out if you have dangerous goods by reading the information found on packages, product labels and on Material Safety Data Sheets. Your supplier is required by law to provide Material Safety Data Sheets with all dangerous goods they supply.
WorkCover regulates the storage and handling of dangerous goods in classes 2,3,4,5,6.1,8 and 9 under the OHS Regulation 2001. This legislation also covers combustible liquids known as C1 (e.g. diesel) and a group of chemicals which are too dangerous to be transported.
You must notify WorkCover about the dangerous goods you store or handle. WorkCover collects information about dangerous goods stored on premises to assist in the provision of emergency response and planning.
You must also develop a written emergency plan and provide a copy to NSW Fire Brigades or the NSW Rural Fire Service if the premises are in a rural fire district. The emergency plan must be reviewed every five years or earlier if there is a change in circumstances at the premises, or any adjacent premises.
The storage, handling and use of dangerous goods must be in accordance with the requirements of the OHS Regulation 2001.
The Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods: Code of Practice has more information about the storage of dangerous goods or call 13 10 50.