Dangerous goods storage and handling notification

When you need to notify

You need to notify WorkSafe when the quantities of dangerous goods stored and handled at your workplace exceed the quantities specified in schedule 2 of the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations), and in certain other circumstances.

You also need to notify WorkSafe:

• within two years of the most recent notification under the Regulations, and
• within three business days after changes that require notification (see below) Changes that require notification to WorkSafe within three business days :
• changes to the occupier’s name or contact details
• if a person ceases to be an occupier of premises where notifiable goods are present
• a significant change in the quantity or type of dangerous goods, including:
  • if the quantity of notifiable dangerous goods specified in the most recent notification increases by 20% or more
  • if there is a decrease in the notifiable goods by 20% or more, but has not fallen below the relevant manifest quantity specified Schedule 2 of the Regulations
  • if the notifiable goods fall below the relevant manifest quantity specified in Schedule 2 of the Regulations
  • change in the nature of the principal activities involving the notifiable goods at the premises
  • new plant has been introduced to the premises for use in connection with the storage and handling of the notifiable goods
  • when substantial modifications are made to plant used for the storage and handling of the notifiable goods at the premises

There's no need to notify if the quantity of dangerous goods is less than the notifiable quantity.

If your business no longer stores dangerous goods above manifest quantities or is no longer the occupier of the premises, please inform WorkSafe at [email protected].

In your email you will need to provide the premises address, occupier name and Australian Company Number or Australian Business Number (if applicable).

Guidance on notification of maximum quantities for certain premises

Notification information provided by occupiers is used by WorkSafe to identify risks associated with the storage and handling of dangerous goods at premises, and to ensure appropriate systems are in place to prevent and respond to emergency situations.

The quantity of dangerous goods stored at particular types of premises, like stevedores and cargo storage facilities, is often subject to significant variation given the nature of the businesses that operate at those premises.

For the purposes of those premises complying with the notification requirements, WorkSafe will accept the following methodologies for determining the maximum quantity of dangerous goods

• identifying the maximum capacity of areas at the premises allocated to the storage dangerous goods, taking into all segregation requirements. This could be by allocating pallet racking bays to a particular class of dangerous goods or by marking areas on the hardstand.
• identifying the maximum capacity based on emergency management plans such as available bunding, fire protection and response equipment
• aggregating the past 2 years individual maximum quantities of each type of dangerous good into a consolidated maximum holding
• aggregating the next 3 months future sales or shipment forecasts for each individual type of dangerous good into a consolidated maximum holding.

There is no exemption to the notification requirement for dangerous goods in transit.

What you'll need to complete the notification

To complete this notification, you’ll need to create a myWorkSafe account, or login if you already have an account.

You need to include the following in your notification:

• details about the occupier and the premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled
• details about the quantity of all dangerous goods, in bulk or as packages, stored and handled at the premises.

There's no fee to submit a dangerous goods storage and handling notification.

On receiving acknowledgment of notification

An occupier must ensure that a copy of the acknowledgement is displayed at the premises until the occupier receives the next acknowledgement that relates to a notification.