So, you've got some chemicals or chemical-based products at your site, but you're not exactly sure if they are classed as 'dangerous goods'. In this post, we'll share how to correctly identify dangerous goods in the workplace, so you can better protect yourself from the hazards associated with your DG class.
Classes - Dangerous Goods
If you're new to the world of chemical safety, it's a good idea to develop a solid understanding of the difference between non-hazardous substances, hazardous materials (Hazchem) and dangerous goods.
Non-Hazardous Substances
Non-hazardous substances are those chemicals which do not pose a physical or chemical threat. These substances do not cause harm through reactions with other materials, ignition, contact with humans, animals, property or the environment.
An example of a non-hazardous material would be a natural-based, non-toxic cleaner.
REMEMBER: If a workplace chemical is not classified as a hazardous chemical, a safety data sheet will not be available, as it's not a requirement under the Work Health and Safety Act.
Hazardous Chemicals
If you're working with hazardous materials or chemicals, you'll need to take the proper precautions to reduce the risk of health and safety dangers. Hazardous chemicals - otherwise known as hazchem - are those substances that are recognised by the Globally Harmonised System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) as being hazardous to the health and safety of the work environment.
A common example of this would be a corrosive chemical that could make contact with the eyes or skin and damage human tissue.
IMPORTANT: All hazardous chemicals must be classified and labelled in accordance with the GHS. You should refer to the chemical's label and safety data sheet (SDS) to determine if the substance is classed as hazardous. Look for words 'warning' or 'danger' and refer to the pictograms and hazard information on the label and within the SDS.
Dangerous Goods
For a chemical or article to be regarded as dangerous goods, it must be classified by the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods By Road & Rail (otherwise known as the ADG Code). This classification system designates a dangerous goods class (or multiple classes, known as sub-risks) to a chemical or article.
These chemicals and articles are recognised as dangerous goods due to the acute hazards that they present to people, property or the environment.
An example of a dangerous good could be a tin of diesel fuel which is a Class 3 combustible liquid that could cause a fire or explosion if not handled or stored in the correct manner.
REMEMBER: Some substances may be classified as both dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals.
Transporting Dangerous Goods
As we just mentioned, the Australian Dangerous Goods Code is responsible for the classification of dangerous goods.
The dangerous goods code lays out the specific requirements that relate to the transporting of dangerous goods by road vehicle or train.
This code was developed to help industry and transporters prevent or reduce harm to people, property and the environment when goods are being transported. It is also instrumental in defining the dangerous goods class of chemicals and articles within Australia.
Each state or territory in Australia has adopted the code as dangerous goods transport laws. Therefore, you must interpret the code while considering the laws that apply to your own jurisdiction. This will ensure you're transporting, handling and storing dangerous goods in a safe and compliant manner.
IMPORTANT: To learn more about the dangerous goods regulations and laws that apply to your state or territory, get in touch with your local regulator. See Safe Work Australia for further details on these regulators.
What are the DG Classes?
This complex subject could easily benefit from having its very own blog (and it just so happens, we’ve already written one! Click here for more information on the subject).
However, to make things a little simpler, we'll offer a brief overview of the nine classes of dangerous goods, as well as the applicable divisions within each dangerous goods class.
REMEMBER: Some classes of dangerous goods are subdivided into divisions. The ADG Code provides clarity on the hazards associated with substances and articles within this class, as well as the precautions and considerations for transporting dangerous goods.
Class 1 – Explosives
Division 1.1 Explosives: Substances and articles which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.2 Explosives: Substances and articles which have a projection hazard but not a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.3 Explosives: Substances and articles which have a fire hazard and either a minor blast hazard or a minor projection hazard or both, but not a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.4 Explosives: Substances and articles which present no significant hazard
Division 1.5 Explosives: Very insensitive substances which have a mass explosion hazard
Division 1.6 Explosives: Extremely insensitive articles which do not have a mass explosion hazard
Class 2 – Gases
Division 2.1 Flammable gases
Division 2.2 Non-flammable, non-toxic gases
Division 2.3 Toxic gases
Class 3 – Flammable liquids
Flammable liquids can ignite in the presence of an ignition source, causing harm to people and property.
Class 4 – Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases
Division 4.1: Flammable solids, self-reactive substances solid desensitised explosives and polymerizing substances
Division 4.2: Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Division 4.3: Substances which in contact with water emit flammable gases
Class 5 – Oxidising substances and organic peroxides
Division 5.1 Oxidising substances
Division 5.2 Organic peroxides
Class 6 – Toxic and infectious substances
Division 6.1 Toxic substances
Division 6.2 Infectious substances
Class 7 – Radioactive material
Class 8 – Corrosive substances
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Class 8 substances pose a threat to staff, property and the natural environment.
Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles, including environmentally hazardous substances
REMEMBER: You can find out more about miscellaneous dangerous goods by reading our popular blog post.
What is a Packing Group?
The associated packing group (PG) that's assigned to your particular dangerous good can influence the way in which your substances are handled and stored at your workplace.
If we refer to the ADG Code, we can see that a packing group is assigned to denote a degree of danger with each group of substances.
- Packing group I: substances that present a high danger
- Packing group II: substances that present a medium danger
- Packing group III: substances that present a low danger
REMEMBER: Refer to the ADG Code to learn more about the packing group that may apply to your dangerous goods.
Identifying Dangerous Goods
Imagine you're working at a site, with a chemical that you don't fully understand. While it's part of the workplace's WHS obligations to properly induct and train staff who are working with substances and articles which may cause them or their environment harm, it's also important to understand how to identify dangerous goods correctly, so you can increase your knowledge and onsite safety.
As the country’s leading Dangerous Goods Storage Specialists, Storemasta can help guide you through this process, so that you can accurately identify and control the hazards in your workplace. We have storage and handling equipment specifically designed and constructed for each DG class, so your hazards are controlled.
Using the SDS for DG Class Identification
As we mentioned earlier in the blog, if substances aren't deemed as hazardous, they don't require a safety data sheet. However, if they are hazardous substances or dangerous goods, having an up-to-date copy of the safety data sheet (SDS) is essential for maintaining safety and compliance.
Hazardous substances can cause adverse health effects, which must be controlled through chemical control measures in all handling and storage practices. Dangerous goods, on the other hand, pose hazards through their physical or chemical properties, such as their ability to corrode living tissue, metal and other materials – or cause fires and explosions.
Assuming that the workplace has a current (less than 5 years old) safety data sheet for the chemical product onsite, you should refer to the following sections of the SDS to determine if it's classed as a dangerous good.
The following sections of your safety data sheet are essential for identifying dangerous goods classes and divisions:
Section 2 Hazard(s) Identification
This section of your SDS will list the classification of the mixture or substance, as well as the GHS label elements, hazard statements and signal word. These will also be reflected on the chemical's label.
IMPORTANT: While hazardous substances which are not classed as dangerous goods will also have hazard statements and pictograms, they will not be designated a dangerous goods class within Section 2 or 14.
Section 14 Transport Information
See Section 14 of your SDS for crucial information including the class and packing group of your chemical or article.
REMEMBER: If your substance has a subsidiary risk, you must handle and store this chemical in a way that reduces the risk of each dangerous goods class.
Knowing Your Dangerous Goods
Understanding if your chemicals or articles are classed as dangerous goods is the very first step in ensuring chemical safety. Whether they're a flammable liquid that has a low flash point or dry ice that's recognised as a miscellaneous Class 9 good, how you manage the hazards of your chemicals will determine the safety of your worksite.
The correct identification of all workplace chemicals and articles is also the first essential step in conducting an onsite risk assessment. Your risk assessment will allow you to properly identify and assess all the hazards associated with the substances at your site, so you can better control risks such as chemical reactions and incompatibilities.
To find out more about dangerous goods, you can access our FREE eBook. 'Dangerous Goods: What Are They?' leads you through all the important considerations when you're identifying, handling and storing your workplace chemicals. Get your copy now to find out more.
