An operator of a facility must review and update the safety report, including the risk assessment and safety management system within the safety report [r. 30 (1)]:
- before implementing a significant change to:
- any plant, process or substance used at the facility, including the introduction of any new plant, process or substance
- the layout of the facility or where dangerous goods are to be stored, handled or transported within the facility
- as soon as practicable after a dangerous goods incident or major incident occurs at the facility
- as soon as practicable after becoming aware of a change in land use or zoning for the area surrounding the facility
- as soon as practicable after receiving information provided by a direction given under r.31(1)
- as soon as practicable after a request by the Chief Officer
- on the operator’s own initiative to review the safety report, risk assessment or safety management system for the facility.
If the review indicates that one or more of either the safety report, the risk assessment or the safety management system no longer complies with the regulations, then the operator must immediately amend the safety report, the risk assessment or the safety management system so that it does comply with the relevant regulation [rr. 23(2), 24 (2), 25(2)].
If a review indicates changes are required to the safety report, it is recommended that the operator contacts the Department as early as practicable as outlined in Section 2.1 of the guide. See Development and submission of safety report – guide.
Once the safety report has been updated, the revised document should be submitted to the Chief Officer for approval [r. 26].
If review of the safety report in connection with any of the above requirements does not indicate that the safety report, the risk assessment or the safety management system requires amendment, then the operator of the facility must give the Chief Officer written notice that they have reviewed the safety report and no amendment is required [r. 30(4)].
Revision after five years
The operator is to conduct a review of the safety report for the facility as soon as practicable:
- five years since the last review [r. 30] or
- five years since the safety report for the facility was first approved [r. 27(1)] if a review has not been conducted.
The five yearly review of the safety report is to include:
- detailed review and update, where required, of the risk assessment, taking into account the effects of any major incidents that have occurred during the period
- review and update of the facility description to reflect significant changes to the plant or facilities during the previous five years of operation
- review and update of the SMS for changes in procedures, processes or standards.
Once the safety report has been updated, the revised document should be submitted to the Chief Officer for approval [r. 26].
If review of the safety report in connection with any of the above requirements does not indicate that safety report, the risk assessment or the SMS require amendment, then the operator of the facility must give the Chief Officer written notice that they have received the safety report for the facility and no amendment is required [r. 30(4)].
See: What is involved in preparing a safety report for a major hazard facility (MHF)?