Understanding Australian Standards for Dangerous Goods Storage and Bunding

Whilst Dangerous Goods Storage Compliance and Bunding compliance to Australian Standards can seem challenging to implement and, difficult to understand important that you understand some of the key principles of what is required. There are several Australian Standards that are the most common including AS 1940-2017 (The Storage and Handling of flammable and combustible liquids), AS 3780-2008 (The storage and handling of corrosive substances), AS 4332-2004 (the storage and handling of gases in cylinders), AS NZS 1596-2014 (the storage and handling of LP Gas), AS NZS 3833-2007 (the storage and handling of mixed classes of dangerous goods in packages and intermediate bulk containers). Whilst these standards include hundreds of pages of reading and many complexities there are also many rules that are simple to understand that are the most significant to remember. It’s also important to engage partners with you in the path to compliance including an independent DG consultant and a quality industrial storage solutions partner. 

It’s also important when implementing DG storage solutions that you take a wholistic review of the situation including asking whether the changes you’re making are actually introducing new risks to the process which you need controls in place to deal with. There are many different products you may be storing ranging from aerosol cans, oil drums, flammable liquids such as paint tins or methylated spirits, IBC’s of combustible liquids, 205L drums of acid, G sized gas bottle cylinders and much more. All these different classes and mediums represent risks to your staff, the environment and your property. The key rule is to not take shortcuts and compromise safety, don’t risk it! 

Gas Storage Tips 

• LPG can be stored with acetylene but not oxygen 
• Argon shield can e stored with either oxygen or acetylene or LPG 
• Inert (nonreactive) gases can be stored with pretty much any gas. An example of an inert gas is Argon. 
• Flammable gases can’t be stored with oxygen and must be stored at least 3m apart. Some examples of flammable gases are LPG or acetylene. 
• Oxygen and Acetylene must be stored separately and at least 3m apart. 
• The only time oxygen and acetylene can be stored together is a maximum of 1 of each bottle when in use as an oxy kit. 
• Ensure your gas storage is in an area with good air flow 
• Ensure your gas store is protected from other potential hazards such as forklifts and trucks. 
• Ensure your gas bottles are secured to prevent unauthorised access. 
• Remember to review your site risk assessment council conditions and any specific Workcover requirements for your site. 

Dangerous Goods Storage Tips 

• Ensure you don’t store incompatible goods together e.g. class 3 flammable liquids and class 8 corrosive substances. 
• Ensure your dangerous goods storage is in an area with good air flow. 
• Just because you’re storing your dangerous goods in an Australian standards style cabinet doesn’t mean you are meeting Australian standards! There are other factors to keep in mind such as maximum storage per floor area. 
• Ensure your dangerous goods are secured to prevent unauthorised access. 
• Remember to review your site risk assessment council conditions or specific Workcover requirements for your site. 

Bunding Storage Tips 

• Your bund must have a sump capacity of  of your largest container of your total aggregate storage – whichever is greater. 
• If you’re storing liquids on a und outside without a cover when it rains your und will fill up with water which will render your bund ineffective. 
• Ensure that the bund you’re storing your chemicals on is compatible e.g. don’t store acid on a standard metal bund. 
• Ensure you don’t store incompatible goods together e.g. class 3 flammable liquids  class 8 corrosive substances. 
• Remember to review your site risk assessment council conditions and any specific Workcover requirements for your site.