New requirements for dangerous goods transport FAQs
- General
- Definitions
- Small quantities
- Licensing and insurance
- Placarding
- Segregation
- Hazchem codes
- Documentation
- Approvals, determinations and exemptions
- Penalties and enforcement
Some of the answers below include specific references to ADG7. Download a free copy of ADG7 from the National Transport Commission’s website to assist you to understand the new dangerous goods requirements and how to comply.
1. When do I need to start complying with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7th edition (ADG7)?
The duty to comply with the Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2008 and ADG7 started from 1 January 2009.
Victoria started a 12-month transition phase to ADG7 on 1 January 2009. During the transition phase it is not an offence to continue to rely on the former regulations and ADG 6. Once the transition phase is over full compliance with the regulations and ADG 7 is required.
The transition phase, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009, allows industry and duty holders time to adjust to the new regulations and to ADG7 requirements.
2. What are the main differences between ADG6 and ADG7?
The main differences are:
- layout and structure (eg the list of dangerous goods is in numerical order rather than alphabetical)
- greater alignment with UN and other international transport codes and regulations
- some changes to technical content and definitions
- some appendices and supplements to the Code are now in the main body.
For a more comprehensive list of changes, refer to the ADG7 Information Guide (ADG7, Volume 2, pages G6 to G22).
3. As the layout of the Code has changed, is there an easy way to locate information in ADG7 based on ADG6 references?
The ADG7 Information Guide (ADG7, Volume 2, pages G46 to G58) includes a table that shows the corresponding references between ADG6 and ADG7.
4. Where can I get a copy of ADG7?
Download a free copy from the National Transport Commission’s website. Due to the file size, it is presented in small parts. A two-volume hard copy or CD-ROM can be purchased from CanPrint Communications.
5. Where can I get a copy of Victoria’s Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2008?
Click here for an electronic copy or go to the Information Victoria online bookshop to buy a printed copy. For bulk orders and subscription sales contact Anstat Customer Services on 9278 1144.
6. Can you explain what is now ‘bulk’ or ‘packaged’ transport?
The former regulations defined ‘packaged dangerous goods’ and ‘dangerous goods in bulk’ in order to set the threshold limits for licensing and other obligations. The new regulations set out simplified triggers for licensing without the need to retain the old definitions. Also, ADG7 uses a container based approach that does not rely on differentiating between packed and bulk dangerous goods. Requirements are specified according to the type of container .e.g. tank vehicles, pressure drums, cylinders.
7. Are people transporting very small quantities of dangerous goods exempt from complying with the Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2008 and the ADG Code?
Yes, people transporting very small quantities are exempt from complying if all of the following requirements are met. The load:
- does not contain any explosives (other than exempt explosives)
- does not contain any dangerous goods in a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500 litres or more than 500kg of dangerous goods in a single receptacle
- is less than 25 per cent of the placard load and is not being transported on a passenger train, and
- is not transported by a person conducting a business or person in the business of transporting dangerous goods.
The requirements also do not apply to the transport of dangerous goods in a vehicle if the:
- load involves very small consignments where the total quantity of dangerous goods is below the quantity limit for marking and labelling of inner packagings as detailed in the ADG Code (Volume 2, Part 5.2.1.8, page 419)
- dangerous goods are in a vehicle’s fuel tank
- dangerous goods are in appliances and plant that form part of a vehicle and are necessary for its operation
- goods are in portable fire fighting equipment or other portable safety equipment that are part of a vehicle’s safety equipment.
Licensing and insurance
8. When do I need a licence to drive a vehicle carrying dangerous goods?
You need a dangerous goods driver licence for any road vehicle transporting dangerous goods in a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500 litres, or if you will be transporting more than 500kg of dangerous goods in a receptacle. There is still an exemption for the transport of dangerous goods up to 3000 litres in intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
If the vehicle used to transport the dangerous goods has a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500 litres or the vehicle is transporting more than 500kg of dangerous goods in a receptacle, the vehicle must also be licensed.
9. Have any dangerous goods driver’s licence requirements changed?
There are no changes to current Victorian dangerous goods driver’s licences.
However, you will notice some changes when you re-apply for your licence:
- to apply for a new licence you must be a resident of Victoria
- your licence may be issued for up to five years instead of three. Note: during the transition period licences may be issued for shorter periods depending on the currency of the DG training course you took prior to application
- photographs and competency evidence (certificates) submitted with your application must be no more than six months old at the time of application
- you will be asked to authorise WorkSafe access to any other Australian state or territory licence register and records of convictions for driving offences.
10. Do I still need to have a dangerous goods bulk vehicle licence if I transport dangerous goods in bulk? If so, do I need to re-apply for a licence or will this occur automatically?
Yes, you will still most likely need a licence, refer to question covering changes to licensing requirements.
If you have a current (bulk) dangerous goods vehicle licence, you don’t need to re-apply for a new licence. We’ll contact you when your current licence is due to expire.
From 1 January 2009, licences issued will be valid for up to five years instead of the current three years.
From 1 January 2009, if you apply for a new licence or a renewal, and your vehicle is not registered in Victoria and not used exclusively or predominantly in Victoria at the time, you need to apply for a licence in the state the vehicle is based. To determine where the vehicle is being used, WorkSafe may request access or copies of the vehicle’s logbooks.
11. Are there any changes to vehicle licences?
From 1 January 2009, to apply for or renew a vehicle licence, vehicles must be registered in Victoria and operate exclusively or predominantly within Victoria. If your vehicle is mostly used to transport dangerous goods outside Victoria you will need to apply for a licence in the state or territory the vehicle is based.
Licensing fees for dangerous goods vehicle licences have changed to a flat fee of $60 per vehicle per application. Vehicle insurance for placard loads has increased to a minimum of $5 million.
12. Do I need a licence if I transport fuel on my vehicle in 200 litre drums or smaller containers?
No. A licence to transport dangerous goods by road is required when the fuel (or any other dangerous goods) is being transported in a receptacle (approved for the transport of the fuel) with a capacity of 500 litres or more.
13. Do people who transport small quantities of dangerous goods, such as farmers and trades people, have to be licensed?
No. A licence to transport dangerous goods by road is required when the dangerous goods being transported are in a receptacle with a capacity of 500 litres or more, or the load of dangerous goods is greater than 500kg.
14. What do I need to do to get a tanker licensed to transport dangerous goods?
Complete an Application for a licence to drive a vehicle transporting dangerous goods and submit it with the required documentation and application fee ($60 per vehicle) to WorkSafe’s Licensing Branch. The application form can be used for one or more vehicles.
A licence will only be issued if the tank is an approved tank and complies with the requirements that apply to a road vehicle for use in transporting dangerous goods.
15. Are there any changes to licensing fees?
Yes, licensing fees for dangerous goods vehicle licences have changed to a flat fee of $60 per vehicle per application.
WorkSafe continues to issue dangerous goods driver licences at no cost.
16. What are the new insurance requirements for transporting dangerous goods?
Vehicle insurance requirements are now set at a minimum of $5million when a vehicle is carrying a placard load.
17. What is an emergency information panel (EIP)?
An emergency information panel (EIP) is a placard that includes warning and emergency information on dangerous goods. (see ADG7, Vol 2 Part 5.3.2 p 431) They are generally seen when dangerous goods are being transported on a tank vehicle e.g. LPG and petrol tankers.
18. What is a Placard?
A Placard means a label or Emergency Information Panel (EIP) that is fixed to, stencilled or printed on or placed in a frame fixed to a transport unit or placardable unit. Placards provide basic information about the dangerous goods being transported. (see ADG 7, Vol 1 Part 1.2.1, p 11) Examples of where you will see a placard include portable tanks, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), boxes and tank vehicles.
19. When do I need to placard my vehicle?
Placarding is required when a load of dangerous goods is designated a “placard load”. During the transition period, placarding can be in accordance with ADG6. However, if ADG7 is used a load of dangerous goods is considered a placard load if it comprises:
- dangerous goods in a receptacle with a capacity of more than 500 litres; or
- more than 500 kilograms of dangerous goods in a receptacle: or
- the load comprises an aggregate quantity of dangerous goods of 250 or more and those goods include-
- dangerous goods of Division 2.1 that are not aerosols: or
- dangerous goods of Division 2.3: or
- dangerous goods of Packing Group 1: or
- the load comprises an aggregate quantity of dangerous goods of 1000 or more.
Placards must be affixed to the exterior of transport units that contain a placard load and to placardable units to provide a warning of the contents. A placard load is appropriately placarded if it is placarded in accordance with Chapter 5.3 of ADG7.
Note: A retail distribution load that complies with Chapter 7.3 of ADG7 is not a placard load.
20. What dangerous goods can I store, handle or transport together and which ones need to be segregated due to incompatibility?
There are many dangerous goods that cannot be stored, handled and transported with each other or with other substances. Detailed segregation requirements are in ADG 7 chapter 9.2.
WorkSafe has information to assist with segregating dangerous goods. Segregation charts are also available commercially from various companies and associations to help determine what substances can and can not be stored and transported together.
21. What devices should I use to segregate incompatible dangerous goods?
Three types of segregation devices can be used to isolate incompatible dangerous goods:
- overpacking drum segregation devices
- type I segregation devices, or
- type II segregation devices (approval required from WorkSafe)
See ADG7 for more information (Volume 2, Chapter 6.11, page 605).
Hazchem and Emergency Action Codes
22. Are Hazchem or Emergency Action Codes the same thing?
Yes. For consistency with international definitions, Hazchem Codes are commonly referred to as Emergency Action Codes or EACs in ADG7.
EACs offer guidance on the correct initial emergency response in a potentially dangerous situation such as a leakage, spillage or fire involving the dangerous goods. They are composed of a number, which denotes the appropriate fire fighting extinguishing method, followed by one or more letters that denote the risk of a violent reaction, recommended PPE and whether to contain or dilute the run-off.
Some changes have been made to Hazchem Codes in ADG7:
- 2YE is the new EAC for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) replacing 2WE
- reverse print codes have been dropped
- breathing apparatus is now used for all incidents
- a bullet point in front of the number (e.g. ● 2YE) indicates alcohol resistant foam is the preferred fire fighting medium if it is available.
For more information on EACs refer to Appendix C of ADG 7.
23. Have there been any changes to the documentation required for transporting dangerous goods?
Yes. There are new transport documentation requirements for road and rail transport of dangerous goods. Note that in earlier editions of the ADG Code, transportation documentation was referred to as ‘shipping documentation’.
The documentation to accompany transport of dangerous goods requires more information than before. These additional requirements relate to the contact telephone number and advice on preferred sequence of entries, N.O.S (Not Otherwise Specified) and other generic entries, limited quantities, and requirements for specific types of substances. The changes also include a number of special documentation requirements covering empty receptacles, location of dangerous goods on combination road vehicles, amending documentation after unloading, and goods that are not subject to ADG7 but are dangerous goods when transported by air or sea. Refer to the sample documentation form titled ‘Transport (multimodal) dangerous goods form’ in Appendix B of ADG7. Details of the general documentation requirements are in Chapter 11 of ADG7.
There have also been changes to the documentation required for retail distribution loads and there is a new sample generic transport document for retail distribution loads. The sample form is also in Appendix B of ADG7.
Approvals, determinations and exemptions
24. Do I need to have my package of dangerous goods approved? If yes, by who and how do I get approval?
Except for a very small number of situations dangerous goods can only be transported in approved packagings.
Packaging specifications (including performance testing) for particular dangerous goods are set out in ADG7.
Refer to Part 4 of the regulations that deals with packaging and package designs for more information.
Download the application form for a package design approval.
25. I want a determination made regarding dangerous goods, who do I need to send this to?
Send your application for a determination regarding dangerous goods in writing to the Manager, Dangerous Goods Unit, WorkSafe Victoria, GPO Box 4306, Melbourne Victoria 3001.
26. Are the exemptions granted under the old Dangerous Goods Code and legislation still in force? If not, who do I need to contact to apply for an exemption?
The exemptions granted under ADG6 and the old legislation in force at the time the new legislation was made in December 2008, were saved and remain in force until either the:
- reliance on the former regulations and AD6 expires on 31 December 2009
- exemption expires, or
- exemption no longer applies under the new legislation or is out of step with the new legislation or ADG7.
Contact WorkSafe for further advice about existing exemptions and for applying for a new exemption. If you are based outside Victoria it is recommended you contact the Competent Authority in your state or territory if you want to apply for an exemption.
Exemptions granted by the Competent Authorities Panel are accepted in Victoria if a copy of the exemption can be provided at the time of request by an inspector or by WorkSafe.
27. Have penalties for breaking dangerous goods laws have increased and why?
Yes, penalties for general duty offences have increased in Victoria. They are now aligned with penalties in other Australian states and territories and the model dangerous goods transport legislation developed by the National Transport Commission.
