When you’re working with dangerous goods, selecting, implementing and maintaining compliant storage is key for chemical compliance. In this post, we’ll be looking at the dangerous goods storage requirements for each class of dangerous goods, so you can create a safe and compliant workplace.
Let’s get started by first explaining what dangerous goods are.
Dangerous goods are solids, liquids or gases that are harmful to people, property and the environment. Dangerous Goods include substances that are explosive, flammable, spontaneously combustible, oxidising, toxic, corrosive and water reactive. Some commonly used dangerous goods include petrol, solvents, paints, acids and pesticides.
Workplace incidents involving dangerous goods have the potential to cause severe or fatal injuries to people and large-scale destruction to workplace property and the surrounding environment.
As dangerous goods pose significant risks upon the people and property of your organisation, it makes it very important to store your dangerous goods in a safe and compliant manner. If you fail to store your dangerous goods safely, your organisation may face a range of serious consequences for non-compliance including fines and court proceedings. The risks associated with non-compliant storage of dangerous goods can range from human harm and fatalities to environmental contamination and destruction of prooerty.
The safe storage of dangerous goods can be achieved by adhering to the requirements outlined in the Australian Standards. While the Australian Standards are not law, they are accepted as an important part of a solution for meeting legislative compliance.
We’ll now outline the storage requirements for each of the DG classes, so you can better protect your workplace and community from the risks associated with hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods.
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of explosives is AS 2187.1-1998 - Explosives - Storage transport and use - Storage.
This standard outlines the design requirements for internal portable magazines and explosives cabinets.
The key requirements for these explosive storage cabinets and boxes include:
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of gases in cylinders is AS 4332-2004 - The storage and handling of gases in cylinders.
This Standard outlines the design and construction requirements for gas cylinder storage cages used for the storage of:
IMPORTANT: The indoor storage of gases in cylinders must be avoided wherever possible, as the accidental release of gases indoors can result in serious incidents such as fire or explosion. Toxic gases are recognised as hazardous chemicals and can cause asphyxiation, poisoning and serious human harm if they’re inhaled.
The main design requirements for gas cylinder storage cages include:
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for Class 3 Flammable substances is AS 1940-2017 - The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.
This Standard explains the different requirements that apply to both the indoor storage and outdoor storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
The design requirements for indoor flammable liquids storage cabinets include:
The main design requirements for outdoor chemical storage containers used for the storage of flammable liquids include:
Flammable liquids stores have different design and construction requirements to protect chemicals against the added risk of outdoor storage.
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of flammable solids is AS/NZS 5026-2012 - The storage and handling of Class 4 dangerous goods.
This Standard outlines the design and construction requirements for cabinets used for the storage and handling of:
The main requirements for indoor storage cabinets used for the storage of Class 4 dangerous goods include:
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of oxidising agents is AS 4326-2008 - The storage and handling of oxidising agents.
This Standard outlines the design and construction requirements for indoor oxidising agents storage cabinets.
Key construction requirements for oxidising agents cabinets include:
Each class of dangerous goods has specific hazards that must be controlled through compliant storage.
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of organic peroxides is AS 2714-2008 - The storage and handling of organic peroxides.
Section 4.6 of AS2714 outlines the requirements for the design and construction of indoor organic peroxide storage cabinets.
The main requirements for organic peroxide storage cabinets include:
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of toxic substances is AS NZS 4452-1997 - The storage and handling of toxic substances.
The requirements for the design and construction of indoor toxic storage cabinets are outlined in section 4.6 of AS NZS-4452.
Key requirements include:
AS NZS 4452 explains the design and construction requirements for indoor toxic substance storage cabinets.
The Australian Standard that outlines the requirements for the storage and handling of corrosive substances is AS 3780-2008 - The storage and handling of corrosive substances.
Section 4.6 of this standard outlines the design and construction requirements for corrosive storage cabinets. Unlike other dangerous goods storage cabinets, Class 8 Corrosive storage cabinets don’t need to have a sheet metal construction because corrosive substances will dissolve metallic substances by chemical action.
The main requirements for corrosive storage cabinets include:
As dangerous goods pose significant risks, it’s vital that you store and manage them in a safe and compliant manner. Afterall, safety cabinets and outdoor chemical containers are key risk control measures that will specifically reduce the likelihood and impact of chemical hazards. As we’ve detailed in this blog, safe dangerous goods storage can be achieved by adhering to the requirements outlined in the relevant Australian Standard for your class of chemicals.
If you would like more information on the dangerous properties associated with the 9 different classes of dangerous goods, download our FREE eBook by clicking on the image below.