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Wednesday, 13 May 1981
Page: 2384

(Question No. 1752)


Mr Bungey asked the Minister for Administrative Services, upon notice, on 9 April 1981:

What action has been taken to prepare uniform and properly publicised safety practices for hazardous chemicals in Australia.


Mr Newman —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

The Commonwealth Fire Board has advised that uniform safety practices for hazardous chemicals are now covered by the new Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail which States and Commonwealth Governments have agreed to implement. It is now a matter for each Government to arrange this as it considers appropriate.

In the meantime, the Australian Chemical Industry Council has recommended to its members the voluntary placarding of vehicles with the Code's requirements on emergency information.

The Standards Association of Australia is also producing cards of emergency procedure guides for a number of chemicals for carrying in cabins of transport vehicles as a guide to drivers in the event of emergencies involving fire or escape of cargo.

Other safety practices for hazardous chemicals are covered in existing or proposed Occupational Safety and Health in Commonwealth Government Employment Codes of Practice prepared by the former Department of Productivity (now the Department of Science and Technology).