Dangerous goods transport requirements for ... - WorkSafe Victoria

More information aboutDangerous goods transportrequirements for licensed driversTo improve the safety of dangerous goods transport, somenew laws now apply in Victoria. Changes have been madeto the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 to support a newnational framework for the transport of dangerousgoods by road and rail.This information sheet provides an overview of the keychanges for licensed drivers.Licensing and insurance changesDrivers• Dangerous goods driver licenses are issued for a periodof up to five years (previously three).• The age restriction of 21 years has been removed for peoplethat have completed an approved driver training course basedon the seventh edition of the Australian Dangerous GoodsCode (ADG7).• To apply for a new licence you must be a resident of Victoria.• Photographs and competency evidence (such as coursenotice of assessment certificates) submitted with yourapplication must be no more than six months old.• There is still a requirement to provide records of convictionand medical fitness details on your application.Vehicles• Vehicles that require a dangerous goods licence must beregistered either in Victoria or nationally, and used exclusivelyor predominantly in Victoria.• Application and renewal fees for licences have changedto a flat fee of $60 per vehicle.• Vehicles transporting placard loads are required to beadequately insured. The level of insurance coverage requiredis now a minimum of $5 million.• There are minor changes to the disposal and transferof vehicles licensed to transport dangerous goods.Manufacturer, supplier and consignorrequirements before loading a vehicle• There are some changes to classifications, proper shippingnames, United Nations (UN) numbers, labelling, packagingand marking of some dangerous goods in line with ADG7.• There are new requirements for transport documentation.For example, documentation must include the consignor’sname and phone number and a description of the dangerousgoods. More information is required for specific goods.• ‘Overpacks’ may be used to package goods for transport,where the method used complies with ADG7. Other usesof overpacks must be approved by WorkSafe.• A consigner is responsible for ensuring no prohibiteddangerous goods are transported.• Empty uncleaned containers that contain dangerousgoods residue must be described on the relevanttransport document.• Placard loads require an ‘emergency response plan’ for each load.Loading and placarding a vehicle• There are new restrictions on quantity of goods (classes2.1, 2.3, 3, 4, 5, 6, Packing Group 1) that can be loaded intopassenger compartment or other enclosed space of a vehicle.• Different segregation devices must be used for certain goodsin line with ADG7. Methods of segregation not permittedunder ADG7 must be approved by WorkSafe.• Combination road vehicles must indicate the locationof dangerous goods in the vehicle in the transportdocumentation.• Food and food packaging may only be transported witha load of dangerous goods in a road vehicle’s cabin andmust be for the driver’s personal use.• The general trigger quantity for placarding is now 500kg/litres of dangerous goods in a single receptacle. Therequirement to placard loads of 1000kg remain unchanged.• Some changes have been made to Hazchem Codes (alsoreferred to as Emergency Action Codes). 2YE is the newEAC for LPG replacing 2WE; reverse print codes have beendropped; breathing apparatus is now used for all incidents;and a bullet point in front of the number indicates alcoholresistant foam is the preferred fire fighting medium.Edition No. 1 April 2010

Dangerous goods transportrequirements for licensed driversUnloading a vehicle• The consignor, prime contractor or driver must amenddocumentation to show correct number of full and emptycontainers and quantities of dangerous goods on a vehicleat all times.• A person must not use hose assemblies for bulk transferof dangerous goods if not constructed, assembled ormaintained in accordance with ADG7.• A driver must not unload, detach a trailer or operate a roadtanker vehicle equipped with a burner, except in accordancewith relevant parts of ADG7.Safety equipment and emergencies• A person must not drive a road vehicle if the vehicle orequipment isn’t in good working order and not inspectedand tested in line with ADG7.• Food and food packaging must not be moved from anincident site unless permission is given by WorkSafe Victoria.Further informationWe encourage you to seek further information to fullyunderstand your responsibilities. Visit worksafe.vic.gov.aufor more detailed information about dangerous goods transportrequirements, or phone WorkSafe’s Advisory Service on1800 136 089 if you have any questions.Worksafe Advisory ServiceToll-free: 1800 136 089Email: info@worksafe.vic.gov.auworksafe.vic.gov.auThe information presented in this document is intendedfor general use only. It should not be viewed as a definitiveguide to the law and should be read in conjunction with theamended Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and the DangerousGoods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2008.Other• A number of definitions have changed. For example,‘dangerous goods in bulk’ has been replaced with simplifiedtrigger quantities – 500kg/litres. Terms such as ‘bulkdangerous goods’ and ‘transport in bulk’ are no longer usedin ADG7, except with respect to solid dangerous goods.• Some new definitions have been added, including ‘overpack’,‘multiple element gas container’ and ‘retail distribution load’.• A person must not consign, load or drive a vehicle transportingdangerous goods if the person knows, or should know, thatthe vehicle, equipment, labelling, packaging or transport doesnot comply with ADG7.• There are changes to transport smaller quantities ofdangerous goods, with five new categories being created.• There are now increased penalties and sanctions for thosefound guilty of offences, especially serious offences involvingthe death or serious injury of a person.VWA1321/01/02.102