Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods are substances that may be corrosive, flammable, explosive, spontaneously combustible, toxic, oxidising or water-reactive. These goods can be deadly and can seriously damage property and the environment.

The Dangerous Goods Act

The Dangerous Goods Act 1985 sets out the general duties for the manufacture, storage, transport, transfer, sale and use of dangerous goods and the import of explosives into Victoria. The Act also enables regulations to be made about dangerous goods.

Proposed Code of Practice for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods

Public comment is invited on the proposed Code of Practice for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods. Copies can be obtained by contacting WorkSafe on 1800 136 089 or by downloading the proposed code here (PDF 1.3mb).

You are invited to make comments and submissions in response to the proposed Code of Practice. Comments should be received by WorkSafe no later than close of business on Thursday 2 May 2013. Written submissions should be addressed to:

DG Code Public Comment
Manager, Information and Guidance Branch
WorkSafe Victoria
GPO Box 4306
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Submissions by e-mail should be forwarded by the same date to the following address: storageandhandling2012@worksafe.vic.gov.au

All submissions will be treated as public documents unless clearly identified as being confidential.

A public comment template has been developed to assist interested organisations and members of the public to make their submissions. Download the template here (MS Word 68kb).

Enquiries about the proposed Code of Practice should be directed to WorkSafe on 1800 136 089 during office hours (8.30am to 5.00pm).

* NEW Dangerous Goods (Storage and  Handling) Regulations 2012

On 1 December 2012, the Dangerous  Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012 (DG (S&H) Regulations 2012) replaced the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Interim Regulations 2011 (Interim Regulations) which expired on this date. The DG (S&H)  Regulations 2012 have retained most of the legal requirements contained in the  Interim Regulations. There are only a small number of changes. This document has not yet been updated to reflect the changes introduced by the DG (S&H) Regulations 2012. More information on the key changes introduced by these new regulations can be found in the guidance titled Information  about: Key changes to dangerous goods storage and handling requirements and More  information about: Incident reporting.