What is required for the safe transport of dangerous goods?

Licensing requirements

In general, there are exemptions for the storage and transport of small quantities of some low-risk dangerous goods commonly used within the community for personal purposes, while the storage and transport of large quantities and higher-risk dangerous goods require licensing.

Licensing requirements for the storage and transport of dangerous goods in WA - information sheet - 389 Kb

This information sheet covers the guidance material and legislative references provide details of quantity limits, exemptions and other requirements. It is recommended that this information is reviewed when assessing whether a licence is required.

Driver training

What is the role of approved training providers for dangerous goods transport?

Verification of dangerous goods driving procedures - driver interview - template - 34 Kb

This interview template prompts you to evaluate the background experience of your drivers and addresses six main areas of dangerous goods transport activity.

Guidance for drivers and companies

Drivers

Route selection, vehicle stopping and bulk transfer - dangerous goods safety guide - 596 Kb

This safety guide assists prime contractors and drivers of vehicles transporting dangerous goods on Western Australian roads to comply with the relevant safety requirements regarding restricted routes, route selection, vehicle stopping and parking.

Safety equipment for road vehicles transporting dangerous goods - dangerous goods safety guide - 636 Kb

This safety guide assists vehicle owners, prime contractors and drivers transporting dangerous goods on Western Australian roads to meet their obligations regarding the provision of safety equipment.

Companies

Documenting a Transport Emergency Response Plan - template - 63 Kb

Under Regulation 180 of the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007, a prime contractor is required to have emergency plans in place.

Dangerous goods transport hazard overview - template - 306 Kb

This overview highlights the potential issues associated with the transport of dangerous goods in a variety of packaging modes. Primarily, the template is a prompting mechanism for operators to use in evaluating their control of transport hazards.

Dangerous goods transport document - template - 34 Kb

This template is a consignment note for the transportation of dangerous goods.

Dangerous goods safety matters - self-audit guide for prime contractors - guide - 1319 Kb

Prime contractors have multiple responsibilities to ensure that dangerous goods are transported safely. This self-audit tool is a good starting point to evaluate your transport system.

Guidance about placardable units

The following guidance relates to the transport of dangerous goods in placardable units, such as:

  • road tank vehicles
  • intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
  • isotainers
  • multi-element gas containers (MEGCS).

Refer to Dangerous goods safety - codes of practice for a list of codes of practice that may be relevant.

What is a placard load for dangerous goods transport?

Road transport in receptacles of more than 500 L or kg - dangerous goods safety guide - 866 Kb

This safety guide assists those transporting packaged dangerous goods by road in receptacles (e.g. packages, cylinders) with a capacity of 500 litres or more or net mass of 500 kilograms or more (i.e. 500 L or kg).

Guidance about packages

The following guidance relates to the transport of dangerous goods in packages, such as:

  • 200 litre drums
  • gas cylinders.

Refer to Dangerous goods safety - codes of practice for a list of codes of practice that may be relevant.

Road transport in receptacles of 500 L or kg or less - dangerous goods safety guide - 665 Kb

This safety guide assists those transporting packaged dangerous goods by road in receptacles (e.g. packages, cylinders) with a capacity of 500 litres or less or net mass of 500 kilograms or less (i.e. 500 L or kg).

Design approval requirements for bulk containers used to transport solid dangerous goods - information sheet - 236 Kb

This information sheet explains the requirements in the Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-explosives) Regulations 2007 (Transport Regulations) for the design approvals of bulk containers.

For information relating to the safe transport of retail amounts of dangerous goods, refer to Transporting retail amounts of dangerous goods.

Other guidance

The National Transport Commission has developed a load restraint guide. It provides information on the key safety principles that should be followed for the safe transport of dangerous goods on roads.

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development promotes best practice and harmonised legislation for the land transport of dangerous goods in Australia.

LP Gas safety

Dangerous goods safety regulation of LP Gas transport - poster - 211 Kb

This poster illustrates how the regulation apply to transporting LP Gas.

Principles of LP Gas safety - 1 and 2 - poster - 247 Kb

This poster Illustrates principles of conatiner design and the installation of tanks for the storage of LP Gas.

Principles of LP Gas safety - 3 and 4 - poster - 236 Kb

This poster illustrates principles of risk control measures and emergency planning measures for the transport and storage of LP Gas.

Principles of LP Gas safety - 5 and 6 - poster - 234 Kb

This poster illustrates principles of references for storage, handling and transport activities of LP Gas.

Separate and ventilate: Picking up some LP gas for your barbeque? - posters - 1873 Kb

Safety tips for transporting small cylinders of LP gas for your barbecue.

Emergency response

Those transporting placard loads must have arrangements in place for emergency responders.

Refer to What is the role of approved emergency responders?

Incident reporting

Please refer to the following page:

What is a reportable dangerous goods incident?

Applicable legislation

Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004

The Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of Non-Explosives) Regulations 2007 adopt the Australian Dangerous Goods Code (ADG) and are aligned with the associated National Model Regulations.

Transport of mineral concentrates of UN 3077 - Environmentally hazardous substance, solid - information sheet - 48 Kb

This information sheet overviews how the determination and exemptions apply in Western Australia for the transport of UN 3077 mineral concentrates, the Chief Dangerous Goods Officer has issued.