Dangerous goods put people, the environment and property at risk if they are transported incorrectly - so transportation of hazardous chemicals is an important responsibility that requires plenty of planning and consideration.
Between the correct storage containers, managing temperatures, segregating chemicals, and managing licenses, there are plenty of challenges that come into play. If you're transporting dangerous goods, here are some crucial things to keep in mind.
Before delving into transporting dangerous goods, it's important to understand exactly what is classed as a dangerous good in Australia. There are typically nine hazardous goods classes:
Transportation requirements vary according to dangerous goods class. Read on for more information.
It's important to prevent incompatible classes of dangerous goods from making contact with each other, as they can have highly dangerous reactions, such as an explosion or the release of toxic vapours. Many classes of goods need to be stored in separate containers, and there are some chemicals or hazardous materials that need to be transported in completely separate vehicles. Transport Segregation Devices are useful for separating dangerous goods in transit.
More information can be found in our Dangerous Goods Segregation Guide, which contains a simple dangerous goods segregation chart. We recommend printing this, so segregation is top of mind for your entire dangerous goods team.
Always be aware of what temperatures your materials need to be stored at, and control the conditions of your transportation accordingly. Find out more about temperature control in Safe Work Australia’s Safety Data Sheets for hazardous goods.
Different liquids have different flash points, with some flash points below 0 degrees celsius. Make sure every member of your team is aware of the flash points of your dangerous goods before transporting them.
Transport documents must have the name and phone number of the consignor, as well as a description of the dangerous goods which needs to meet specific guidelines. These vary by state, so contact your local competent authority for the most up-to-date information.
Also, some states also have no-go transport zones, where dangerous goods cannot be transported, so keep this in mind when planning your transportation routes.
In most Australian states it's mandatory to label all hazardous chemicals in line with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) requirements outlined by the UN. These include primary and secondary containers used in transportation, so it's important all your storage units meet the GHS label requirements.
Closely follow safety protocols when offloading your dangerous goods. Make sure to clear any obstacles and minimise traffic (both vehicle and human) in the area. If you're carrying dangerous goods up or down stairs, check that adequate stair safety products such as concrete stair treads are installed.
Once your dangerous goods arrive at their location, storing them is a whole new ball game. We’ve developed an Outdoor Dangerous Goods Storage Checklist to help you navigate complex chemical storage requirements. Click on the image below to get your free copy.