Understanding Hazardous Chemicals and Dangerous Goods: What Every Business Needs to Know

Hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods are present in many Australian workplaces, from construction sites and manufacturing plants to schools, warehouses, and even office buildings. Despite their common presence, these substances pose serious risks to health, safety, property, and the environment if not properly managed.

Whether you're storing cleaning agents in a facility, handling fuels and solvents on a job site, or managing stock in a warehouse, it's essential to understand the difference between hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods, your legal responsibilities, and how to control the risks.

What Are Hazardous Chemicals?

Hazardous chemicals are substances that can cause harm to human health. This harm may be immediate (e.g., burns, poisoning) or long-term (e.g., cancer, respiratory disease, reproductive harm). They may be solid, liquid, or gas, and can enter the body through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion.

Common examples include:

• Asbestos

• Lead-based paints

• Silica dust

• Solvents and adhesives

• Acids and alkalis

• Pesticides and herbicides

Hazardous chemicals are classified under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), which assigns standardised hazard statements and pictograms to communicate risk.

What Are Dangerous Goods?

Dangerous goods are substances or articles that pose immediate physical or chemical risks — such as fire, explosion, corrosion, or environmental harm. Dangerous goods are regulated primarily for their potential to cause accidents, not necessarily their long-term health effects.

They are grouped into nine classes under the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, including:

• Class 2: Gases (e.g., LPG, compressed oxygen)

• Class 3: Flammable liquids (e.g., petrol, ethanol)

• Class 5: Oxidising agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide)

• Class 8: Corrosive substances (e.g., sulfuric acid)

A substance can be both a hazardous chemical and a dangerous good — for example, acetone is highly flammable (Class 3 DG) and hazardous to health.

Legal Responsibilities in Australia

Businesses that store, use, transport, or dispose of hazardous chemicals or dangerous goods have specific legal obligations under:

• Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 2017 (NSW)

• Environmental Protection Acts (state-based)

• Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code

• Model Code of Practice for Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals

Key duties include:

• Identifying and classifying chemicals

• Labelling and maintaining Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Safe storage and handling

• Risk assessment and control

• Emergency planning and spill response

• Worker training and record-keeping

Common Workplace Risks

Hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods can be found in:

• Paints, solvents, glues, and fuels

• Pesticides and cleaning chemicals

• Laboratory chemicals and maintenance products

• Dusts and fumes from grinding, cutting, or welding

• Stored or abandoned waste from prior site uses

If mishandled or poorly stored, these substances can lead to:

• Fires and explosions

• Toxic exposure or poisoning

• Environmental contamination

• Property damage

• Regulatory fines or prosecution

How to Manage Risk Effectively

1. Inventory and Classification
   Keep a current register of all hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods. Ensure each item is correctly labelled and stored according to its class.

2. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
   Maintain up-to-date SDS for every hazardous chemical on site. Make these available to all workers and emergency responders.

3. Risk Assessment and Control
   Assess how each substance is used and the potential for harm. Apply the hierarchy of controls:

• Eliminate where possible

• Substitute for a safer alternative

• Isolate the substance

• Implement engineering and administrative controls

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

1. Proper Storage and Signage
   Store dangerous goods in approved containers with secondary containment if needed. Use signage that reflects the DG class and any specific hazards.

2. Training and Supervision
   Ensure workers understand the risks, control measures, and emergency procedures. Refresher training should be provided regularly.

3. Emergency Preparedness
   Develop a spill response and emergency management plan. Include evacuation procedures, spill kits, first aid, and contact details for emergency services.

How Confluence Environmental Can Help

At Confluence Environmental, we help businesses understand and manage their hazardous chemical and dangerous goods risks. Our services include:

• Hazardous materials surveys and audits

• Dangerous goods classification and storage advice

• Compliance reviews and risk assessments

• SDS and chemical register development

• Worker training and emergency response planning

We provide independent, science-led advice tailored to your site and regulatory obligations — helping you stay safe, compliant, and audit-ready.

Need Help with HAZMAT Compliance?

If you store, use, or dispose of hazardous chemicals or dangerous goods in your workplace, don’t wait for an incident or audit to act.

Contact Confluence Environmental today for practical, professional support.

Call 0493 042 642 or request a quote online.

Let’s make your site safer — and your compliance easier.