WorkSafe Victoria has revealed that strict new reporting requirements will soon come into play for duty holders storing or handling hazardous material above certain quantities.
This follows amendments to the dangerous goods regulations.
From July 1, 2021, the Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012 will require all duty holders occupying premises with prescribed quantities of dangerous goods to notify WorkSafe at least every two years.
Previously, notification was required every five years.
If there are significant changes, as prescribed in the Regulations, to a site where dangerous goods are stored and handled, an additional notification will also be required within three business days of the change occurring.
“Prescribed changes include a significant change in the quantity or type of dangerous goods, changed ownership or control of the dangerous goods, and other prescribed changes that significantly alter the risk profile of the site,” said WorkSafe Victoria.
“The amendments will ensure information reported to WorkSafe about dangerous goods storage is never more than two years old and will provide more relevant information to WorkSafe to inform a risk-based approach to regulatory oversight of premises where dangerous goods are stored in significant quantities.
“Existing duty holders will have six months from 1 July to submit a notification to WorkSafe that complies with the amended regulations, unless a prescribed change occurs within that period, in which case duty holders must notify WorkSafe within three business days.”
WorkSafe Victoria has developed an online notification form to assist duty holders and replace the digital and paper forms previously used.
For more information on these changes, please call WorkSafe’s Advisory Service on 1800 136 089 between 8.30am to 6.30pm.
More information will also be published on WorkSafe’s website from July 1.