Stockpiling of petrol

Background

WorkSafe is aware of videos on social media showing the unsafe transport and handling of petrol due to recent panic buying.

Petrol is a dangerous good and the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and associated regulations impose obligations that apply to petrol being stored or handled at both commercial and residential premises, and when being transported in Victoria.

Safety issues

Petrol is a highly flammable substance that can cause:

• explosions or fires
• serious injury
• death
• large-scale damage to property or the environment.

Petrol fumes are toxic, and can lead to illness or injury if inhaled.

Recommended ways to control risks

Approved packaging

Petrol must only be stored, handled and transported in approved packaging. Only packages that have passed testing can be used. These are indicated by UN markings, with the example format below.

Packaging Size

Petrol stations must have a system in place to limit package size being filled to 25L.

Transporting

If transporting more than 1,000L of petrol the full requirements of the Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2018 apply, including but not limited to placards, paperwork and fire extinguishers.

Storage

Storage requirements are based on the volume of petrol being stored.

If storing more than 250L of petrol:

• warning placards must be on the premises
• there must be at least 1.8m separation to any residence, and
• a powder and foam type extinguisher must be present.

If storing more than 2,500L of petrol:

• warning placards and manifests must be on the premises
• there must be at least 4.2m separation to any residence
• notifications must be made to the authorities
• emergency management plans developed, and
• at least 2 powder and 2 foam type extinguishers and a fire hydrant capable of delivering 10 litres per second must be present.

Additional regulatory obligations apply if storing greater quantities.

Legal duties

Under Section 31D of the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 an individual may face up to 10 years in prison or a $770,000 fine if found to be recklessly storing, transporting, transferring, selling or using dangerous goods that puts people at risk of death.

The Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022 sets out the requirements for safely storing and handling dangerous goods.

The Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2018 sets out the obligations of people involved in transporting dangerous goods by land and gives effect to the standards, requirements and procedures of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (ADG Code).