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Five Year Reminder – Dangerous Goods Risk Assessment Reviews
It has been almost four years now since the NSW OH&S Amendment (Dangerous Goods) Regulation 2005 commenced. The regulation revolutionised the way Dangerous Goods (DG) are treated in NSW and many organisations storing and handling DGs employed a consultant to review their DGs in line with the new requirements.
A key requirement of the Regulation is that written risk assessments are reviewed each time there is a change in the DG type, quantity or handling procedures or if there have been any accidents or near misses – but in any case AT LEAST ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS.
Key Questions You Should Ask
- Have we reviewed our DG risk assessments in the last 5 years?
- Are DG quantities, types and procedures the same as they were since last reviewed?
- Were the previous risk assessments completed by a “competent person” (defined as a member of the Australasian Institute of Dangerous Goods Consultants (AIDGC) or a chemical engineer)?
- Did the risk assessment process include personnel who routinely handle the DG?
- Do we have up to date MSDSs for all chemicals stored on site?
- Have we updated our site Emergency Plan to include the current DG Workcover Notification and DG site sketch?
- Have we lodged our Emergency Plan with NSW Fire Brigade head office?
- Has our site Manifest been updated to only include DGs greater than the Workcover Manifest (Notifiable) levels?
- Are we aware that a number of Australian Standards for the safe storage and handling of particular DGs (e.g. corrosives and oxidising agents) have recently been updated?
If you answered no to any of the above questions, it is likely that you may not be complying with the OHS Regulation and/or Australian Standards. Although compliance with Australian Standards is no longer mandatory, Workcover will want to see a detailed risk assessments showing how you have achieved an equivalent level of safety to that specified by the Australian Standards.
Why Choose Advitech to Assist in Reviewing DGs and Facilitating Risk Assessments?
- We employ a number of chemical engineers and a member of AIDGC.
- We offer professional risk management processes, developed and refined over our 21 year history.
- We have very strong experience in risk assessment workshop facilitation e.g. HAZOP, FMEA.
- Our engineers are experienced in a wide range of industry types and sizes – from small fibreglass businesses to large steel mills.
- Our standard templates can reduce the time and cost involved in conducting DG audits and preparing of emergency plans, site security plans and preliminary hazard analyses.
- Our fifty-strong, multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists can solve any DG non compliance issue e.g. design, drafting, construction and project management of purpose built DG stores or tank farms.
- Low overheads means value for money for our clients.
- We have offices in Newcastle and Sydney, but we are experienced in DG regulations in all states.
Other Key Changes in NSW DG Regulations in the Last Four Years
- Introduction of 7th Edition of the ADG Code
- Introduction of Underground Petroleum Storage System Regulation 2008
- Introduction of Major Hazard Facility Regulation
- Moving towards Globally Harmonised System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) as part of National Standard for the Control of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals
- Increased focus on security of chemical storage – especially chemicals that could be used as explosive precursors
- Proposed introduction of AS 5026 The storage and handling of Class 4 dangerous goods
- Imminent replacement of AS 2430.3 Hazardous Area Standards with AS 60079 series
Unsure how these changes may have affected your business?
Please contact Jim Kelty, Senior Consultant on 02 4961 6544 or jim.kelty@advitech.com.au
Further Information
For further detail, please refer to previous Risk Aware issues on Advitech’s website:
- Risk Aware 07 – “Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Substances in NSW – Where to Start”
- Risk Aware 14 – “New Dangerous Goods Regulation Now in Force – What You Need to Know”
- Risk Aware 15 – “Emergency Plan Requirements – What You Need to Know”
- Risk Aware 20 – “Regulation Update – Dangerous Goods, Hazardous Substances and Major Hazard Facilities”
- Risk Aware 21 – “Underground Petroleum Storage System (UPSS) Regulation 2008 Update”
Advitech has consultants who are members of the Australasian Institute of Dangerous Goods Consultants.
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