Introduction to dangerous goods storage at public events
Information about the types of dangerous goods often found at public events and the duties of event organisers and occupiers.
This guidance is part of the Dangerous goods at public events collection. It should be read along with the other guidance in the collection.
What are dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are defined under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 (DG Act). They are substances capable of causing harm to people and property due to their hazardous properties. They may be:
- corrosive
- flammable
- combustible
- explosive
- oxidising
- water-reactive, or
- have other hazardous properties
Dangerous goods can cause:
- explosions or fires
- serious injury
- death, and
- large-scale damage
Common types of dangerous goods at public events
Dangerous goods may be temporarily stored and used at public events. This can include events where vehicles are used, such as motor racing events, exhibitions, boat and air shows.
Dangerous goods commonly found at public events include:
- unleaded petrol (ULP) and diesel used as fuel for plant and vehicles
- gases used for tyre inflation
- liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for heating or cooking
- pyrotechnics (fireworks)
These dangerous goods can be stored in bulk quantities, such as in tanks or bullets, or in packaged quantities.
Who is an occupier?
Under the DG Act, an occupier includes a person who:
- is the owner of the premises
- exercises control at the premises under a mortgage, lease or franchise, or
- is normally or occasionally in charge of the premises or exercises control or supervision at the premises as a manager or employee or in any other capacity
In relation to licensed premises that are a vehicle or boat, the occupier includes a person who is:
- the owner of the vehicle or boat, or
- in charge of the vehicle or boat
At public events, occupiers can include:
- persons responsible for event management
- venue management
- racing team operators
- vendors
- suppliers of dangerous goods
What is a premises?
Premises includes:
- a building or part of a building
- a tent, stall or other structure, whether permanent or temporary
- land, whether or not appurtenant to a building, and
- any other place, such as a vehicle, ship or boat
Duties of occupiers
The Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) set out legal duties for occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored or handled.
Occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled have a range of duties, including duties relating to:
- consultation
- information and training
- hazard identification and risk control, and
- security
Duties under the Regulations can apply to multiple occupiers at the same event. Each occupier is responsible for matters they manage or control, even if other occupiers have the same duty.
An event may require consultation and coordination with several groups or bodies to ensure all occupiers are aware of their duties. Developing a clear event management plan and ongoing communication will help to ensure dangerous goods are stored and handled appropriately.
The event management plan should:
- identify all the occupiers at the event
- provide an overview of each occupier's management and control responsibilities relating to dangerous goods temporarily stored at the event
- identify when occupiers must notify the appropriate authorities of accidents or incidents
Consultation
Occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled must, so far as is reasonably practicable, consult with their workers (for example, employees and volunteers) whose health or safety is likely to be affected by the dangerous goods. If there is a health and safety representative (HSR), occupiers must involve them in the consultation.
Consultation must occur in relation to:
- induction, training and information provision, and
- hazard identification and risk control, and
- any proposed alteration to structures, plant, processes, or systems of work that will likely increase the risk to workers
Employers must also consult with employees and HSRs about other safety matters that affect or may affect them. More information about consultation is available on the WorkSafe website.
Induction, information, training and supervision
Occupiers must also ensure that all persons (including HSRs), involved in the storage and handling of dangerous goods are provided with induction, information, training and supervision that is:
- delivered in a language or way each person can understand, and
- relevant to the tasks undertaken by the person and the risks associated with those tasks
The induction, information and training must include instructions in relation to the:
- nature of the hazards and properties of the dangerous goods, and
- processes used for the identification and control of the risks associated with the tasks the person will be doing, and
- purpose, use and maintenance of the control measures for those risks, and
- systems of work in place and how a person must conduct themselves to ensure safe storage and handling of dangerous goods, and
- operation of the premises emergency plan, including any procedures and equipment likely to be used in an emergency, and
- correct fitting and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Hazard identification and risk control
Information about the duty to identify hazards and control risks is available in:
Security of dangerous goods
Occupiers must take reasonable precautions to ensure dangerous goods are secured against theft, unauthorised access and tampering.
Occupiers should have procedures in place to ensure dangerous goods storage areas can only be accessed by authorised and trained persons.
Incident notification
If you are the licencee, prescribed person or master of a ship, you must report any accident involving dangerous goods that results in:
- fire
- explosion
- spill
- leakage
- escape
You must report the accident to emergency services without delay. For example, the fire authority or police.
You do not need to report accidents involving:
- prescribed dangerous goods (UN Class 2.2, other than those listed in Schedule 5 of the Regulations), or
- prescribed quantities of dangerous goods
- A prescribed quantity is a quantity of packaged dangerous goods (other than dangerous goods of UN Class 2.3 or Packing Group I) that is less than 250 kg or 250 L and is involved in a fire, explosion, spillage, leakage or escape, without resulting in physical injury to any person or damage to any property.
If you are an employer or self-employed person, you must notify WorkSafe immediately after becoming aware of an incident that has resulted in:
- the death of a person or
- serious injury of a person
WorkSafe must also be notified about certain incidents that expose people to a serious risk to their health and safety.
Occupiers should ensure procedures are in place to notify the appropriate authorities of any accidents or incidents.
Information about incident notification is available in:
Investigation of incidents
Occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored and handled must ensure:
- any incident occurring at the premises is investigated, and
- the investigation, so far as possible, determines the cause or likely cause of the incident, and
- a record of the investigation of the incident is made, and kept for at least 5 years
Records of investigations need to be readily available to WorkSafe on request.
Risk control following incidents
Following an incident the occupier of premises where an incident has occurred must:
- review any relevant risk control measures, taking into account the results of the investigation into the incident, and
- if the review identifies deficiencies in any risk control measures, alter those measures or implement new measures in accordance with Part 5 of the Regulations
Record keeping
Occupiers must keep records of:
- manifests
- any agreements with emergency services authority on placement of placards
- notifications to WorkSafe
- register of dangerous goods, including any Safety Data Sheets where applicable
Occupiers should also keep records of:
- emergency plans
- risk assessments
- staff training
- emergency response drills
- maintenance of plant and storage facilities