Dangerous Goods

Why Get Advice On Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous Goods (DGs) are goods that have the potential to present an immediate threat to people, property or the environment if not properly contained and managed. Whether small or large, a location requires specific storage and handling of their DGs according to the nature of the hazards the DGs present.

Authorities who regulate DGs handling and storage activities do so to protect people, property and the environment from the potential effects of DGs. Through legislation, authorities create safety obligations for everyone involved with the storage and handling of DGs with regard to duty of care, control measures, provision of information, notification requirements and system controls.

While regulators actively advise industry and the community of the requirements, businesses may not always have the time or internal expertise to comply with regulations adequately and efficiently. They may also not understand any changes in responsibilities, or the shift to performance based management with the transfer of risk accountability to the individual business.

ERS provides advice and detailed reports on a wide range of DG safety issues as an element of a complete risk management system.

The management of DGs is part of an organisation’s overall management system designed to identify, assess and control potential adverse impacts of their operations. Authorities who regulate DGs introduce new legislation to improve practices, possibly changing licensing requirements, notification requirements, responsibilities or designs. Our approach is to assist our clients to achieve compliance with the latest applicable Australian Standards and Regulations throughout a project: during the planning, design and review stages and through to, if required, licence approval and renewal.

We have extensive experience in DGs management for facilities ranging from the local pool chemical supplier, to offshore oil and gas platforms and to Major Hazard Facilities. A DG report developed by ERS provides an organisation with a comprehensive list of DGs, their status regarding compliance with relevant standards and regulations and recommendations for improvement and required documentation, including manifests.

Our services include:

• identification of regulatory obligations and assessment of current compliance
• development of DG licence applications / auditing for renewals
• preparation of DG registers and manifests
• hazard identification and risk assessment studies associated with the storage and handling of DGs for new and existing facilities
• production of detailed design drawings, Site Layout drawings for design, licencing and emergency purposes
• development of risk control measures, priorities and strategies
• suggestions for improvement plans
• advice on design and operations involving DGs including use of accident databases such as MHIDAS to review lessons learnt
• auditing of risk assessment methods and risk control measures

Qualifications

Not all regulatory authorities require qualifications to undertake the assessment of the storage and handling of DGs. However, ERS is accredited by Department of Mines and Petroleum WA (DMP) to endorse applications for the storage of Class 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1,5.2, 6.1, 8, & 9 DGs in Bulk and Package.