The Ever-changing Compliance Landscape

In the area of compliance, change is a fact of life and you can’t afford to take a breather. At the moment, there are two changes that you need to be aware of. The Australian Standard 1940 Storage and handling of flammable substances, the most comprehensive and frequently used of the dangerous goods storage and handling Standards has been under review and the new edition is due out very soon. Based on its growth over previous editions the new version should be about 1000 pages (joking!).

Also, the Australian Dangerous Goods Code Edition 7.5 which sets out the requirements for transporting dangerous goods by road or rail and provides dangerous goods classifications used in Dangerous Goods Storage Regulations, has been updated. The Code is given legal force in each Australian State and Territory by each jurisdiction’s dangerous goods transport laws. And remember that WHS and GHS are upon us but that important differences remain between some states.

The importance of getting dangerous goods storage correct is brought into clear focus by the following statements from the latest Facilities Management Magazine. “An ignition source . . . will potentially create damage worth millions of dollars and insurance could be automatically voided if the storage is not designed and constructed properly, in compliance with the new regulations.”

Also, on the subject of ignorance of the law “If there is an accident and workers are injured and/or the environment is damaged, who will be responsible? The laws will implicate the WHS or facilities manager or the PCBU, as workplace safety is their responsibility. Potentially, they will be the person who could face the fine, not management”