What are hazardous chemicals and pipelines?
Dangerous goods and explosives are substances which can be hazardous to people or property or cause accidents with disastrous consequences.
They are classified on the basis of immediate physical or chemical risk. The hazard presented may be because of properties such as flammability, toxicity or chemical reactivity. Dangerous goods and explosives can be deadly and can seriously damage property and the environment.
The regulations covering dangerous goods and explosives are contained in Part 8 of the Occuaptional Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994.
Dangerous goods
Examples of dangerous goods include substances that are corrosive, flammable, gaseous, spontaneously combustible, toxic, oxidising or water-reactive. Some, such as petrol, LPG, paints, pesticides and acids are commonly in use at the workplace.
Explosives
Examples of explosives include blasting primers, detonators, smokeless powder, fuses, fireworks, firecrackers, rail track signals, distress flares, and safety cartridges and their primers.
They are used in quarrying/drilling, trenching/ditching, sub-soiling, rock breaking, stump removal, log splitting, ammunition and theatrical and entertainment displays.
Hazchem signs
In some cases, Hazchem signs must be displayed. The Hazchem sign offers shorthand information about the dangerous goods to emergency services personnel, including:
- The type of fire extinguishing agent required, such as water or foam
- Details of violent reactions
- Suggested personal protective equipment
- Information on whether to dilute the effluent
- Whether evacuation is necessary.