Dangerous Goods Discussion for A Safer Australia
Today in Sydney, government representatives, unions, employers and industry groups discussed the need for a National Standard and Code for the storage and handling of Dangerous Goods to ensure a safer Australia.
In NSW more than 25,000 workplaces register with WorkCover NSW that they store commercial quantities of Dangerous Goods.
Speaking at the seminar today Mark Collins of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission (NOHSC) said "Every year Dangerous Goods disasters cost the Australian community in human life as well as dollars."
"We all have an important role to play in the good management of Dangerous Goods and by adopting this National Standard and Code the potential for a Dangerous Goods disaster is reduced," he said.
Industry and other groups affected by the Standard and Code were invited to comment on the document to ensure a truly cooperative effort in the storage and handling of Dangerous Goods. Comments submitted will be considered and where appropriate incorporated into the final draft which will be ready for adoption into legislation by State and Territory governments early 1999.
"Inconsistencies in Dangerous Goods regulations from State to State have created difficulties particularly for organisations operating in more than one State," says Michelle Patterson, Assistant General Manager of the Occupational Health and Safety Division at WorkCover NSW.
"WorkCover will be looking closely at how the National Standard is to be reflected in NSW legislation and feedback from the seminars will be of great interest," she said.
Mark Towler of the ACTU expressed concern over the proposal in the draft standard to move from current arrangements of co-regulation by government and occupiers to a system based on internal management control.
"We don’t want to give employers the opportunity to neglect their occupational health and safety responsibilities because no one is checking up on them. We are concerned that the standard does not provide sufficient guarantees of worker safety and environment protection," he said.
Mark Collins addressed union concerns in stating, "it will no longer be adequate for workplaces to rely on inspectors to tell them whether their systems are adequate. Workplaces will need to be able to demonstrate that action has been taken to control hazards associated with the storage and handling of Dangerous Goods."
Colin McLean of the ACCI responded on behalf of employers by saying, "the new Standard is not giving employers the easy way out. Flexibility and an emphasis on pro-active identification of hazards associated with Dangerous Goods will enable employers to be more innovative in developing a safer environment for workers."
Discussion around the draft Dangerous Goods Standard and Code was productive and provided a good example of how unions, employers, industry and government can work together on an important industrial safety issue.
NOHSC will hold a series of public seminars around the country to ensure a cooperated effort in the development of the National Dangerous Goods Standard and Code. Public comment on the draft Standard and Code closes on July 31, 1998.
For more information contact:
Lisa Norris, Dangerous Goods Media Relations on 02 9281 6414, 0418 210 722 or
Nick Miller NOHSC Public Affairs Manager 02 9577 9424 or
visit the NOHSC web site at www.worksafe.gov.au
25 June 1998
Page last updated: 15/07/2008