Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Policy

Purpose. Sets the requirements for storing, handling, transferring and transporting dangerous goods at Hydra sites in line with the dangerous goods licence conditions and the relevant Australian Standards.

1.Policy statement

Hydra will store and handle dangerous goods only in the quantities, classes and locations authorised by the site dangerous goods licence and the safety case. Storage will comply with the Australian Standards for corrosive substances and flammable and combustible liquids. Transport will comply with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code.

2.Segregation and compatibility

Incompatible chemicals must be stored in separate bunded compounds and must never share a transfer line, pump or hose without a documented cleaning and verification step. Acids and caustic, oxidisers and flammables, and hypochlorite and acids are the principal incompatibilities on site. The compatibility chart must be displayed at every transfer point.

• Hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide
• Sulfuric acid and sodium hypochlorite
• Flammable solvents and oxidising agents
• Ferric chloride and caustic soda

3.Bunds and spill containment

Every tank and drum store must be within a bund sized to the Australian Standard. Bund valves must be closed and locked except during a supervised release of clean stormwater. Bunds must be inspected weekly and after rain and the inspection recorded. Spill kits matched to the chemicals in the area must be at every transfer point.

4.Transfers

No transfer will start until the operator has confirmed the product, the source, the destination tank, the available ullage and the line-up using the transfer procedure and the checklist. Hoses must be inspected before use and pressure tested to the schedule. Tank overfill protection must be functional before a receipt begins.

5.Placarding, labelling and documentation

Tanks, compounds, pipework and vehicles must carry the placards and labels required by the regulations. Safety data sheets must be available at the point of use and must be current. Transport documents must be completed for every load leaving site and drivers must hold the dangerous goods licence for the class carried.

6.Review

This policy will be reviewed annually and after any change to the dangerous goods licence, the standards or the products handled.