10 Most Common Dangerous Goods Found in Australian Warehouses

Dangerous goods or hazardous goods have been called as such for a reason. These goods need to be handled with the utmost of care and given due consideration of their dangerous nature.

The safe storage of dangerous goods can be achieved by adhering to requirements outlined in Australian Standards. They may not be law, however, they are generally accepted as an important part of a solution for meeting legislative compliance.

In the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) standards, there are specific requirements for the handling, storage, and transportation of dangerous goods and hazardous substances. They are categorised into nine different classes, covering:

• • • Class 1: Explosives
    • Class 2: Gases
    • Class 3: Flammable and combustible liquids
    • Class 4: Flammable solids
    • Class 5: Oxidising substances and organic peroxides
    • Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances
    • Class 7: Radioactive materials
    • Class 8: Corrosive substances
    • Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles.

Among these classes of dangerous goods, there are items or substances that are more commonly found in Australian warehouses. Either these are used by them or are being produced and stored for shipment to their customers.

Here, we list 10 common dangerous goods found in Australian warehouses. 

• Acetylene

Acetylene is a colourless gas with a garlic like odour and typically stored in cylinders. They are a common fixture in the fabrication industry for many major applications and is the only fuel gas that can be used for welding.

Acetylene is also ideal for other tasks in fabrication, but it can also be used for cleaning and thermal spraying many materials.

For safety, acetylene cylinders should be stored in Gas Cylinder Cages when not in use in compliance with relevant Australian safety standards and is essential for meeting work safe obligations.

• Pesticides

Although pesticides do not have their own classification under the ADG. They do, however, fit in a few different class categories, depending on the pesticide type. There are types that can be labelled as toxic, and another times, can be considered as flammable liquids.

At Wholesale Safety Storage Australia (WSSA), we can provide cabinets specifically made for pesticides. These cabinets are ideal for farmers whose only dangerous goods usage is centred around pesticide products.

• Acids

Most acids are corrosive and are Class 8 in the ADG Code. These substances are can cause severe damage when it comes in contact with living tissue. They can also cause material damage that will cause damage to other goods in case of a leak.

Acids are commonly used to refine metals, reduce steel corrosion, refine oil, and in the manufacture of fertilisers. We can provide Corrosive Chemical Storage Cabinets specifically designed for the storage of Class 8 liquids.

• Oxidising Agents

Oxidising agents are substances that the addition of oxygen, which removes hydrogen from a substance. The process of oxidation produces fumes and many oxidising agents can be corrosive, which means they have the ability to destroy metal, stone, and flesh.

Oxidising agents have numerous commercial and industrial applications. Oxidising agents are Class 5.1 chemicals and are required to be stored in cabinets that meet the requirement of AS4326-2008.

WSSA provide Oxidising Agent Safety Cabinets with sizes ranging from 30L up to 250L that will meet your requirements.

• Organic Peroxide

Organic peroxides can be used to manufacture explosives. They are also used in the synthesis and modification of polymers, and also in health care and sanitation applications. Organic peroxides add desirable characteristics such as thermal stability. 

Organic peroxide formulations are thermally unstable, which means they can self-react when exposed to certain temperatures. Following recommended storage and handling practices can effectively reduce risks associated with handling organic peroxide formulations.

At WSSA, we supply dedicated Indoor Organic Peroxide Cabinets meeting the requirements of AS2714-2008 that meets the maximum limit for storing Class 5.2 organic peroxide indoors of up to 100L.

• Toxic Substances

Toxic substances are used in many industries in Australia and used in industrial, agricultural and medical organisations. Common among these substances include: acids, caustic substances, disinfectants, glues, paints, heavy metals, paint, some pesticides, petroleum products and solvents.

These substances may cause health effects depending on their type and the level of exposure to them.

Our range of Indoor Toxic Substance Cabinets are designed to accommodate Class 6 toxic substances. These cabinets are All Australian made and meet the requirements of AS4452-1997.

• Aerosols

Even household use aerosol cans. These cans may contain a variety of substances for daily use such as bug spray, paints, spray varnishes and many other substances. Aerosol cans are considered Class 2 flammable gas substances and must be handled with care since they can cause accidents when punctured or exposed to heat sources and disposed of in fire.

Regardless of their content, they can be extremely dangerous so proper storage of them, especially when in bulk, should be stored in Aerosol Can Storage Cages. We can provide storage ranging from 12 cans up to 850 cans capacity.

• Corrosives

Apart from acids, bases are very hazardous materials that are hazardous when it comes into contact with skin, inhaled, or ingested, and can cause serious burns. Particularly strong bases are highly corrosive and should be handled with extreme care.

Bases are used in industries as insoluble heterogeneous catalysts for chemical reactions. Since they are indispensable in manufacture of a variety of other goods, many warehouses have large quantities of them in stock, which must be stored safely in Corrosive Chemical Storage Cabinets. 

WSSA can supply cabinets for these corrosive substances beginning from 30L up to 350L capacity.

• Flammable Solids

Commonly used flammable solids include sulphur, alkali metals sodium, to name just a few. Friction may cause fire to start in combustible solids.  Some of these flammable solids have the potential to spontaneously combust and/or can be water reactive.

Flammable Solids are Class 4 Dangerous Goods. To protect your establishment from these hazards, flammable solids should be stored in an Indoor Flammable Solids Cabinet. Our range of Flammable Solids Cabinets are manufactured to code and meet AS5026-2012.

• Batteries

Batteries are of use, especially in remote sites. But before they can be transported to the work sites, they must be stored in battery transport cages that can also be used to transport acid batteries to recycling facilities.

Final Note

Take care not to put your workers’ safety at risk or simply rely on your company to follow Australian Standards and WHS guidelines. Especially in businesses that handle dangerous products and substances, workplace safety is a must.

Consider WSSA Safety Storage Cabinets and supplies for your dangerous or hazardous materials needs. We are more than happy to walk you through our selection of cabinets that you can use both for indoor and outdoors.