Project Planning for Hazardous Materials & Dangerous Goods

The management of hazardous materials and dangerous goods is a broad field – ranging from preliminary hazards analysis or risk assessments during design to advice on the containment and use of dangerous goods in operational buildings

HBI has significant experience in the management and handling of dangerous goods (for asbestos see separate sheet) and have been involved in the following projects.

• conducted hazardous materials audits and surveys for dangerous goods, lead paint, asbestos and synthetic mineral fibres; and developed plans of management for a range of premises, and clients including Kur-ing-gai Council, the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Walker Corporation and the NSW Department of Commerce.

• prepared a preliminary hazard analysis for a light organic solvent timber treatment facility. The analysis involved both qualitative and quantitative aspects of risk assessment.

• prepared the hazard and risk assessment Technical Paper for the construction and operation of the proposed Southern Sydney Freight Line. This assessment qualitatively reviewed risks associated with the transport and storage of dangerous goods along the proposed bi-directional track, and included identification of risks, an assessment of the potential consequence of such risk, the likelihood of an event occurring and determination of the overall risk in terms of individual, societal and environmental risk. 

• developed effective systems for the control of dangerous goods transport within NSW by liaising with competent authorities from interstate, Environment Protection Authority regions and other authorities to investigate requirements and prepare procedures for vehicle inspection systems.

• coordinated and participated in compliance auditing (on-road enforcement blitzes) with Police Service NSW, NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and Environment Protection Authority Motor Vehicles Section for breaches relating to both dangerous goods and environmental legislation in regard to transport and storage.

• provided on call 24 hours-per-day service as part of the NSW Environment Protection Authority After-Hours Incident Service to provide technical advice and assistance to NSW Fire Brigades with regard to the properties of dangerous goods and their safe management and disposal. This support extended to internal staff as well in both routine and emergency circumstances.

• developed and ran training courses related to the road transport of dangerous goods, Police Service NSW.