A guide to the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001

3
3.0 ADMINISTRATIVE
ARRANGEMENTS
The DGSM Act serves as a common Head of Power authorising the enforcement activities
of:
• State Government agencies (such as the Division of Workplace Health
and Safety) which will continue to regulate the storage and handling of
dangerous goods under delegated authority;
• Local Governments - which will continue to licence the storage of
Flammable and Combustible liquids under devolved authority*; and
• MHF audit teams drawn from the appropriate areas of Government to
ensure that the MHF requirements of the Act are met.
• In practice, local governments will continue to enforce the application of AS1940,
whereas authorised officers from the Division of Workplace Health and Safety will enforce
‘generic’requirements - such as an occupier’s obligation to maintain a safe place of work.
Within this scenario, the CHEM
Unit has a co-ordinating role and
will provide training, technical
advice and support to “front-line”
enforcement agencies acting under
delegated or devolved authority.
For DGLs, participating agencies
will be able to incorporate the
administrative requirements of the
new Act into their current practices.
The relevant requirements for
MHFs will be phased in gradually
to allow industry a period of grace
in which to comply. Enforcement
will involve a Whole-of-
Government team approach.
The details of these administrative
arrangements are set out in the
Memoranda of Understanding
which will serve as a basis for cooperation
between the Department
of Emergency Services and other
involved agencies.
9