A review of recent Major Hazard Facility (MHF) licensing decisions by WorkSafe Victoria indicate that performance monitoring and auditing are of significant concern to the regulator. MHFs should take note of the increasing trend to direct MHF operators to increase efforts in this critical area of any Safety Management System (SMS).

The Victorian Government are incentivising distilleries to invest in improving safety within the industry through a Hazardous Areas and Dangerous Goods Rebate.

In response to recent incidents at distillery sites caused by the manufacture, storage and handling of ethanol, the Government is offering a rebate through the Distillery Support program to assist distillery operators meet their safety obligations.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is seeking feedback on options to include renewable (paraffinic) diesel as part of Australia’s fuel quality standards.

Safe Work Australia (SWA) is inviting stakeholder feedback on potential changes to the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act in order to improve the incident notification provisions.

A comprehensive review of the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail (the ADG Code) commenced in 2020 by the National Transport Commission (NTC). As part of the review the NTC are seeking stakeholder feedback on various aspects of the ADG Code.

SafeWork NSW is inviting employers, self-employed people, employees, employee representatives and contractors to provide feedback on twenty of Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice to ensure they are still relevant and support current and emerging work practices and technologies.

New regulations for the management of psychosocial hazards at work came into effect in the Commonwealth jurisdiction on 1 April 2023.

The regulations give more specific detail to Commonwealth/Comcare employers about how to meet their work health and safety (WHS) duties for psychosocial hazards and risks.

The transition from the 3rd revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS 3) to GHS 7 is now completed in all Australian jurisdictions.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) has issued a safety alert to workplaces following a spate of fires and explosions believed to have been caused by “hot work” near flammable or combustible substances. Tragically one worker lost their life and others have suffered serious injuries as a result of these incidents.

MicroRisk Group is proud to be supporting the Dangerous Goods Operations & Hazardous Materials ANZ Conference which is returning to Melbourne on 15 March 2023. The three-day event will bring together a range of industry professionals to discuss dangerous goods and their associated risks.

SafeWork South Australia has recently announced changes to their Dangerous Substance licensing regime following the introduction of an online application form.

Members of the chemical industry, the public, peak industry bodies and community groups are being encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed implementation of mandatory separation distances for the storage of ammonium nitrate in New South Wales.

The Victorian Government’s response to the illegal chemical stockpiling in Melbourne’s northern suburbs reached a significant milestone today, with the Government issuing its formal response to the comprehensive review of Victoria’s dangerous goods laws by Andrew Palmer KC.

WorkSafe Victoria have proposed new dangerous goods storage and handling regulations which stipulate the legal duties for manufacturers and suppliers of dangerous goods and for occupiers of premises where dangerous goods are stored or handled.

The Dangerous Goods (Explosives) Regulations 2022 commenced operation in Victoria on 18 June 2022 under the Dangerous Goods Act 1985 (the DG Act).