Managing Schedule 2 quantities of dangerous goods at public events

Information about placards, manifests, emergency plans and fire protection at public events.

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Schedule 2 requirements

Schedule 2 to the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) sets out placarding, manifest and fire protection quantities. If the quantity of dangerous goods stored at the event premises exceeds these quantities, special requirements apply.

Placards and signage

All premises that store and handle dangerous goods in quantities that exceed the relevant quantities specified in column 4 'Placarding Quantity' in the table in Schedule 2 of the Regulations must have placarding in place.

Outer warning placarding

Occupiers must display clearly visible 'HAZCHEM' outer warning placards to alert attending emergency services to the presence of dangerous goods at the premises. The 'HAZCHEM' sign must be displayed at:

  • every entrance of the premises which can be used for road vehicles, and
  • any rail entrance

Bulk container placarding

If dangerous goods are stored in bulk containers, placards must be located on or adjacent to each container.

Packaged dangerous goods placarding

Placards for packaged dangerous goods must be legible. They must be displayed:

  • at the entrance of any building where the dangerous goods are stored, and
  • at the entrance to each room or enclosed section where the dangerous goods are stored, and
  • adjacent to any external storage area where the dangerous goods are stored

Placards may be displayed in different locations if an agreement is reached with the relevant fire authority (Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) or Country Fire Authority (CFA)). This agreement must be:

  • recorded in writing and
  • kept by the occupier and
  • readily available for inspection by FRV or CFA

Review and revise placards

An occupier of premises must ensure all placards are revised as soon as possible after any change to the type or quantity of dangerous goods stored or handled at the premises that requires different information to be displayed.

Additional warning signs may also be required, depending on the type of dangerous goods being stored.

Manifests

A manifest provides information about the quantity, type and location of dangerous goods stored and handled at the event premises.

Occupiers of premises must prepare a manifest if the quantity of dangerous goods stored or handled exceeds the 'Manifest Quantity' in column 5 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. The manifest must be prepared in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Regulations.

The occupier must notify WorkSafe when dangerous goods stored and handled at the premises exceed the manifest quantity.

The event management plan should clearly define who will prepare the manifest and who will submit the notification to WorkSafe.

The manifest must be kept on the premises in a place that is easily accessible to the emergency services authority. This is often located near the outer warning placard at the front of the premises. The manifest should be kept in a weatherproof holder. If required, the manifest can be placed in a different location with the agreement of relevant fire authority (FRV/CFA).

Information to include in a manifest

The manifest must include the information specified in (a) to (g) below and must be revised as soon as possible after a change in any of this information. The manifest should not include information that is not required. Providing unnecessary and excessive information in the manifest may make it more difficult for the emergency services authority to respond in a timely and appropriate manner to incidents.

A manifest must include

Note: the above list does not detail the requirements for dangerous goods in manufacture. Information on what is to be provided in a manifest for dangerous goods in manufacture is available in the Code of practice: The storage and handling of dangerous goods.

Manifest quantity notification

If the manifest quantity is met for any dangerous goods at an event, WorkSafe must be notified of all dangerous goods on the site. A collective pre-event notification for all dangerous goods on the event site can be completed through the WorkSafe online portal.

A notification must be completed within three business days once the site exceeds the manifest quantities.

A notification is also required within 3 business days if:

  • the occupier's name or contact details change
  • the quantity of notifiable goods specified in most recent notification increases or decreases by 20% or more
  • there is a change in the nature of the principal activities involving the notifiable goods at the premises
  • new plant is introduced to the premises for use in connection with the storage and handling of the notifiable goods
  • there are substantial modifications to plant that is used for the storage and handling of the notifiable goods at the premises
  • a person ceases to be an occupier of the event site where dangerous goods are present
  • the quantity of dangerous goods falls below the relevant quantity specified in column 5 in the table in Schedule 2 to the Regulations

Occupiers also need to notify when the event ceases and the dangerous goods are removed from site.

Emergency plans

Occupiers must develop, implement and maintain a written emergency plan if the quantity of dangerous goods stored or handled exceeds the manifest quantity in column 5 of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.

Emergency procedures need to be developed as part of pre-event planning in consultation with the relevant fire authority. Emergency procedures support the implementation of the emergency plan.

The emergency plan must be communicated to:

  • workers, volunteers, vendors, race teams and support crews and other persons who may be exposed to risk arising from an emergency, and
  • persons in management or control of adjacent premises if persons or property on such premises may be exposed to risk arising from an emergency

If members of the local community will potentially be affected by an emergency at the event, occupiers may consider sharing any relevant aspects of the emergency plan with them. For example, if the emergency plan contains any particular action that members of the local community should take.

The location of the emergency plan should be readily accessible. The locations should be well known to workers and discussed with the emergency services authority and it should be available in either a hard or soft copy format.

Developing the emergency plan

When developing the emergency plan, occupiers must request the written advice of the emergency services authority and have regard to that written advice. The plan should contain the components specified in the written advice or other components which provide an equivalent or better level of safety.

The emergency plan must clearly describe the location of the manifest. It is recommended the emergency plan be kept with the manifest information.

The occupier must ensure the emergency plan reduces the risk associated with an emergency, so far as is reasonably practicable. The emergency management plan should include the following information:

  • information about the premises and hazards, such as:
    • the types and quantities of dangerous goods stored
    • the areas where the activities involving dangerous goods occur
    • the maximum/minimum number of persons expected
    • any infrastructure likely to be affected by an incident
    • measures in place to control the consequences of each hazard and major incident, such as fire barriers, separation distances, drainage tanks
  • likely emergency scenarios
  • the command structure, such as the roles and responsibilities of workers for implementing the emergency plans
  • emergency plan procedures for the premises, such as, raising the alarm, evacuation plan, accounting for personnel, incident containment procedures, decontamination
  • the site communication and warning systems, contact details for emergency services and other relevant entities, such as, gas, water, electricity providers
  • emergency resources on site, such as the location of fire extinguishers
  • prohibited activities in the dangerous goods storage and handling area

Testing, review and revision

The emergency plan should be tested when first developed and after each modification. Testing should involve practice drills with simulated emergencies and include all persons likely to be involved in carrying out the plan.

The emergency plan must be reviewed if there is a change in circumstances at the premises and the plan no longer reduces the risk associated with an emergency, so far as is reasonably practicable.

The emergency plan should also be regularly reviewed in consultation with the relevant fire authority and revised prior to the start of each event.

Fire protection

Appropriate fire protection must be provided for any site or building where dangerous goods are stored or handled. Fire protection may include portable or fixed fire extinguishers.

An occupier must ensure that the premises' fire protection system is designed and constructed for the types and quantities of the dangerous goods and the conditions under which they are stored and handled. They must also ensure that the firefighting media is compatible with the dangerous goods, and that it is effective in the control of incidents.

The fire protection system must be properly installed, tested and maintained. It must be capable of being used, without adaptation or modification, with the equipment used by the emergency services authority, and must always be accessible to people on the premises and emergency services.

Where dangerous goods at the premises exceed the relevant 'Fire Protection Quantity' in Schedule 2 of the Regulations the occupier must also request written advice from the relevant fire authority (FRV/CFA) and have regard to that advice when designing and installing fire protection systems.

Occupiers also need to ensure firefighting equipment is maintained in accordance with AS 1851-2012 Routine service of fire protections systems and equipment.

If any components of the fire protection system are unserviceable or inoperable, the occupier must ensure:

  • the implications of the system being unserviceable or inoperative are assessed, and
  • alternative measures are taken to control the risks, and
  • the fire protection system is returned to full operation as soon as possible

Additional firefighting capability may be required during the 'Fire Danger Period' and the event safety plan should give regard to restrictions on campfires and cooking arrangements for camping.

For more information on the Fire Danger Period:

The fire protection equipment required will depend on the type of fuel storage location and the quantity of flammable liquids stored there. The table below provides an overview of fire protection equipment that might be required at an event. For further information see AS 1940:2017 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.

Fuel storage location typeQuantity of flammable liquidsFire protective equipmentLocation of fire equipment
Storage areaLess than 100 L or kgAt least one portable fire extinguisher, such as, a 4.5kg B (E) dry chemical powder fire extinguisher.Needs to be readily accessible and adjacent to the storage area.
Storage areaMore than 100 L or kg but less than 1000 L or kgAt least two 2A80B(E) dry chemical fire extinguishers.

Needs to be:

  • At opposite ends of the compound.
  • No more than 15 m away with unobstructed access.
Refuelling stations At least one powder type extinguisher or as directed by the relevant fire authority.As directed by the relevant fire authority.
Fuel storage compound and refuelling stationsMore than 1000 L or kgAs directed by the relevant fire authority.As directed by the relevant fire authority.
Unroofed packaged storesLess than 10 000 L or kg

At least:

  • one 4.5kg B (E) dry chemical powder fire extinguisher, and
  • one foam type extinguisher
Located within 10 m to any flammable liquid or gas containers.

The quantities and type of extinguishers to be used at fuel storage compounds and refuelling stations can be found in AS 1940:2017 Table 11.3. Examples of the fire protection.

Fire extinguishers need to comply with AS 1841.5:2007 Portable fire extinguishers, Specific requirements for powder type extinguishers.

Test details need to be clearly identified on each extinguisher. For example, marked on testing tag.

Further information