Information sheet - dgs - is it hazardous or dangerous

Dangerous goods safety information sheet
Is it hazardous or dangerous?
Hazardous substances are those that, following exposure, can have an adverse effect on health. Examples of hazardous substances include poisons, substances that cause burns or skin and eye irritation, and substances that may cause cancer. Hazardous substances used at mining operations in Western Australia are regulated under the Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995, which are administered by Resources Safety. Hazardous substances at non-mining workplaces are regulated under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 and attendant regulations, which are administered by the WorkSafe Division of the Department of Commerce. Many hazardous substances are also classified as dangerous goods. Dangerous goods are substances or articles that, because of their physical, chemical (physicochemical) or acute toxicity properties, present an immediate hazard to people, property or the environment. In Western Australia, these are defined in the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and subsidiary legislation, which are administered by Resources Safety. Generally, classification of dangerous goods is outlined in the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail, Seventh Edition, published in 2007 (ADG7), which is closely aligned with international requirements of the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. In Western Australia, there are a few additional requirements, such as all sulfur being a dangerous good for storage and handling, irrespective of form (such as lump sulfur). Also, C1 combustible liquids (such as diesel fuel) are classified as dangerous goods for storage purposes, but not for road and rail transport. There are nine classes of dangerous goods, based on their hazardous properties, some of which are further divided into divisions. These are labeled accordingly. There are also goods too dangerous to transport and C1 combustible liquids. The Western Australian dangerous goods safety legislation covers the following Classes and Divisions of dangerous goods: • Class 1 (explosives); • Class 2 (gases); • Class 3 (flammable liquids); • Class 4 (flammable solids, substances liable to spontaneous combustion, substances that in contact • Class 5 (oxidising substances, organic peroxides); • Division 6.1 (toxic substances); • Class 8 (corrosive substances); • Class 9 (miscellaneous dangerous goods and articles); • Goods too dangerous to be transported (see appendix A of AGD7); and • C1 combustible liquids (combustible liquid with flashpoint between 60.5 and 150°C). • Division 6.2 (infectious substances); and • Class 7 (radioactive substances). Table showing dangerous goods placards and highlighting those Classes and Divisions regulated by Resources Safety Placards
Description
Examples, where used
Detonators, emulsion explosives, fireworks, flares, ammunition FLAMMABLE
FLAMMABLE
NON-FLAMMABLE
NON-FLAMMABLE
NON-TOXIC
NON-TOXIC
FLAMMABLE
FLAMMABLE
Placards
Description
Examples, where used
FLAMMABLE
SPONTANEOUSLY
COMBUSTIBLE
DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS
OXIDIZING
cause or contribute to combustion of other material PEROXIDE
PEROXIDE
dicholoromethane, toluene diisocyanate, some INFECTIOUS
SUBSTANCE
Placards
Description
Examples, where used
RADIOACTIVE
Hospitals, research laboratories, industry, mining Further information available from Department of Health CORROSIVE
MISCELLANEOUS
DANGEROUS
inhibitor), nitroglycerin, nickel picrate Too dangerous to transport because of instability and Not applicable for transport as generated and used on site

Source: http://www.chem-safe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/DG-V-HAZ1.pdf