Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Transcription

1 Information about Australian Dangerous Goods Code Guidance to inform that a new version of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail (ADG 7.3) is now available, replacing edition 7. July 2015 Background The Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADG Code) provides technical requirements for the land transport of dangerous goods across Australia. It provides important controls on the movement of commonly-used dangerous goods, such as petrol, LPG and paints, primarily to protect public safety. The ADG Code is prepared by the National Transport Commission and approved by the Transport and Infrastructure Council. It is based on the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Model Regulations by the United Nations, while retaining some Australian specific provisions. In Victoria, the ADG Code is incorporated into the following laws: Dangerous Goods Act 1985 Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2011 Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2012, and Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations On 30 October 2014, the ADG Code, edition 7 was replaced by edition 7.3 (ADG 7.3). What does this mean for you? If you are involved in the storage, handling or transport of substances classified as dangerous goods under Victorian laws, you may need to review and update some of your work practices. Amendments have been made to some existing obligations see Table 1, as well as introducing some new obligations see Table 2. There are also some new obligations with deferred commencement dates see Table 3. Note that the information in the tables provides an overview and does not represent all changes. WSV1661/01/07.15

2 Table 1: Amendments to existing obligations ADG 7.3 change What do I need to do? Definitions - Repaired Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) Page 10 Table Fire safety equipment for road vehicles extinguisher requirements Page (d) Restriction on parking a vehicle carrying dangerous goods Page Restriction on parking a vehicle carrying batteries, wet, filled with acid, electric storage (UN 2794) Page 711 The repair of an intermediate bulk container (IBC) includes the replacement of the rigid inner receptacle of a composite IBC provided it conforms to the original design of the original equipment manufacturer. The minimum fire extinguisher requirements for road vehicles transporting a placarded load of dangerous goods has been expanded. It now includes flammable goods packed in IBCs and both flammables and non-flammables contained in pressure drums, tanks, tubes, multiple element gas containers (MEGCs) and bulk containers (solids). The prohibition that stipulates a road vehicle transporting dangerous goods must not be parked or left standing within eight metres of another vehicle transporting placarded dangerous goods no longer applies if the vehicle is parked or left standing in an area where there is no public access ( ). The restrictions on parking vehicles carrying dangerous goods in public (under ) no longer applies to vehicles carrying wet, acid-filled batteries with UN number 2794, subject to certain conditions ( ). When repairing an IBC, duty holders must ensure that the inner lining is only replaced with one from the same manufacturer as the IBC. It must also conform to the design specification of the original manufacturer. Duty holders should familiarise themselves with the additions to Table 12.1 to ensure required fire extinguishers are in place. Duty holders that transport dangerous goods may be able to park or leave their vehicle within eight metres of another vehicle transporting placarded dangerous goods if their vehicle is parked or left standing in an area where there is no public access. A vehicle carrying wet, acid-filled batteries (UN 2794) of Packing Group III that each have a gross mass of 65kg or less, and that together have a gross mass of 5000kg or less, may park an enclosed vehicle in a public place or residential area if the load area is locked. A tray-sided vehicle may also be parked in a public place if the load is covered or the vehicle is supervised, and in a residential area if the garage is locked. 2

3 Table 2: New obligations (and 5.5.3) - Use of dangerous goods used as a coolant when associated with the transport of other dangerous goods Page 4 and (and and ) - New term and provisions for salvage pressure receptacles Page 16, 317, Globally Harmonised System (GHS) interpretation Page 29 To transport certain dangerous goods safely, coolants, such as dry ice, refrigerated argon and refrigerated nitrogen, are required. These coolants are, however, also themselves dangerous goods due to their associated risks of asphyxiation, and have previously been subject to the ADG Code in their own right. Clause now clarifies that when these coolants are used for transporting other dangerous goods, duty holders are not required to apply the ADG Code for those coolants in their own right, rather the new clause sets out how risks associated with such coolants are required to be managed. These new requirements include specific packaging, marking and documentation obligations. A salvage pressure receptacle is a pressure receptacle with a water capacity not exceeding 1000 litres into which damaged, defective, leaking or non-conforming pressure receptacles for the purpose of transport (eg for recovery or disposal) are placed. Duty holders that use or intend to use salvage pressure receptacles will need to ensure they are fit for purpose under the new provisions, which include minimum safety design, labelling requirements and the safe handling of these receptacles. Duty holders must already ensure that any item or substance they import from another jurisdiction complies with the ADG Code. This new provision means that items correctly labelled under the GHS in the jurisdiction they originated, will satisfy the corresponding obligations under Victorian law, provided the labelling is in English. 3

4 Lithium batteries Page 131 Cells and batteries (including those contained in or with equipment) that contain lithium in any form must now be assigned UN numbers 3090, 3091, 3480 or 3481 as appropriate. Duty holders involved in the transport of these lithium batteries must ensure the batteries provide safety relief and prevent short circuits. Further to this, duty holders must arrange and maintain a quality control system for their manufacture and transport. Chapter Dangerous Goods List Page 139 Chapter Requirements for limited quantities with fragile inner packagings Page Segregation provisions for dangerous goods packed in limited quantities Page 306 This may require some battery manufacturers and manufacturers of goods that use lithium in their batteries (eg high amperage goods such as power tools, mobile phones, tablets) to adjust their battery/tool designs to accommodate the additional safety features set out in clause 2.9.4, including a new testing criteria. Duty holders must review the new additions to the Dangerous Goods List. In some instances the new classifications may highlight specific risk issues not previously addressed under the previous classification. The previous restrictions against using shrink-wrapped trays to transport certain dangerous goods in fragile packaging (eg deodorants and perfumes) has been relaxed in relation to the movement of limited quantities of those substances. On the basis that such small packages are now recognised to have a much lower risk, duty holders may now move limited quantities using shrink-wrap trays even where their inner packagings are liable to break or be easily punctured (eg glass, porcelain, stoneware or certain plastics) provided they are packed in suitable intermediary packaging to protect against such damage. Segregation provisions tend to limit the type and amount of substances that can be transported at any one time. This is due to the physical constraints imposed by the vehicle size and dimensions and the need for minimum spacing between certain classes of substances. Duty holders may now transport a mixture of dangerous goods more efficiently as the segregation provisions no longer apply to dangerous goods packed in limited quantities when transported in a vehicle or freight container. 4

5 3.4.7 to Labelling packages for dangerous goods packed in limited quantities Page General provisions on packing dangerous goods Page Construction and testing of pressure receptacles, aerosol dispensers, small gas receptacles and fuel cell cartridges Page Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) or markings Page and Testing, certification and inspection Page 549 and Ventilation when transporting toxic and flammable gases and oxygen Page 656 Previously the outer packaging labels needed to include the UN numbers relevant to each substance contained in the package. A generic label can now be used instead which symbolises any mix of limited quantities inside the package. This means duty holders transporting an array of different combinations of dangerous goods in limited quantities can apply the one standard symbol. Duty holders that use ice as a coolant in the transport of dangerous goods must ensure that such use of ice does not affect the integrity of the packaging. Duty holders that use cryogenic receptacles must now ensure that inspection and testing of pressure relief valves on these receptacles is carried out at least every five years. Duty holders that use IBCs in their activities must ensure that the correct markings (see ) are used to enable the clear determination of the retesting cycle. Duty holders involved in the remanufacture or repair of IBCs and large packaging must now comply with the quality assurance obligations that already apply to manufacturers of these units. Duty holders who transport toxic and flammable gases and oxygen must now ensure that the ventilation systems circulate air throughout the unit or compartment (in particular the highest and lowest parts of the unit) and ensure the air is released after circulation. This requirement does not apply in the case of shipping containers used to import goods where appropriate measures are in place to deal with the build-up of vapours in the container and exporting those goods if the container will be accepted for carriage by sea or air without the need to apply such ventilation. 5

6 Table 3: New obligations commencing on 1 July and Markings on portable tanks Page 591 and 596 Minimum labelling size: (small packaging), (large packaging), (stacking loads) What do I need to do? Duty holders that use or plan to use portable tanks must ensure that the required markings and inspection plates are in place on vessels transporting substances of Class 1 and Classes 3 to 9. Tanks manufactured before 1 July 2016 will only have to meet new requirements at their next marking period. Duty holders must review their current labelling and ensure that that the minimum dimensions are accommodated. Page 434, 569 and 570 Where can I get a copy of ADG 7.3? ADG 7.3 is available at ntc.gov.au. Further information Visit: worksafe.vic.gov.au Contact WorkSafe Advisory Service on or info@worksafe.vic.gov.au Note: The information contained in this document is based on the provisions of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013, and is intended for general use only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of this document, WorkSafe Victoria does not accept any liability for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any person acting in reliance on this document. For a definitive statement of the law, you should read the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 or seek your own legal advice about it. Victorian WorkCover Authority