If you are a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you must prepare and maintain a hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods manifest if the quantity of hazardous chemicals used, handled or stored at your workplace exceeds the manifest quantity specified in Schedule 1 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Storage and Handling of Non-Explosives) Regulations 2007 [Storage and Handling Regulations]. The manifest is essential for emergency services during incidents and must include:
- the name and address of the workplace
- emergency contact details
- a list of hazardous chemicals, their quantities and locations
- a site plan showing where hazardous chemicals are stored.
Manifest threshold quantity
If quantities exceed manifest thresholds, the PCBU must notify the Chief Dangerous Goods Officer in writing. Also, the PCBU must prepare and maintain an emergency plan that outlines procedures for managing incidents involving hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods. This plan must align with the information provided in the SDSs and be developed in consultation with emergency services.
The manifest must be regularly updated whenever there are changes in quantities, storage arrangements, or site layout and reviewed at least every three years.
Where to keep your manifest
The manifest must be stored in a weatherproof, red container with a keyed 003 emergency lock and labelled "Emergency Information" in white lettering. It should be placed near the site's main entrance or at another location approved by emergency services.
Notifying that the critical quantity of Schedule 1 substances will be exceeded
Places that intend to have quantities of Schedule 1 substances greater than the critical quantity are required to notify the Chief Officer. The critical quantity is 10 per cent of the threshold quantity listed in the Storage and Handling Regulations. The notification form is to be completed by the operator of a place that has not been classified as a major hazard facility.
See Notifying that critical quantity of Schedule 1 substances will be exceeded for more information.
Are you a possible major hazard facility?
A place is a major hazard facility (MHF) if:
- it stores, handles or processes quantities of specified dangerous goods that exceed specified threshold quantities
- a major incident could occur at that place; and
- the Department’s Chief Dangerous Goods Officer has determined it to be an MHF.
Examples of MHFs include:
- oil refineries
- gas processing plants
- large chemical manufacturing plants
These sites need a sophisticated safety management system to adequately address the potential risks of a major incident, such as explosions, fires, toxic chemical releases or an emission or loss of containment of a Schedule 1 substance.
Schedule 1 substances are listed in the Dangerous Goods Safety (Major Hazard Facilities) Regulations 2007 [MHF Regulations].
See Are you a possible major hazard facility? for information on determining the inventory of Schedule 1 substances and calculating the critical quantity.