• Health and safety tips
  • Construction
  • Health and community services
  • Hospitality, recreation and other services
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail and wholesale
  • Rural
  • Transport and storage
  • Young workers
• Workplace Health and Safety topics
• Chemicals, substances and dangerous goods
  • The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
  • Chemicals and substances
  • Dangerous goods
  • Material Safety Data Sheets and labelling
• WHSOs
  • Changes to Workplace Health and Safety Officers (WHSOs)
  • Workplace health and safety officers (WHSOs)
• HSRs and committees
  • Health and safety representatives (HSR)
  • Workplace health and safety committee
• Workers compensation
  • For employers
  • For workers
• Workers rights and responsibilities
• Training
  • Training to be a WHSO
  • Requirements to deliver WHSO training
  • Training for WHSRs 30630QLD
  • Construction safety induction 30215QLD
  • What is an accredited provider and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
  • Becoming a training provider
  • Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
  • Traineeships and apprenticeships
• Young workers
• Indigenous workers
• Make a workplace complaint

Print-friendly page

Emergency planning

Fire fighting measures
Emergency planning
Notification
Security checklist

Emergency services manifests

An emergency services manifest and site plan is required to be kept up to date at all premises where gas cylinders are stored above the manifest quantities stated in the table below.

The manifest must contain an up-to-date inventory of each class of dangerous goods present on site, and the quantity and location of each storage area. Class 2.3 Gases require the proper shipping name of the gas to be entered. More information is available in Schedule 4 of the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Regulation 2001 (PDF, 658 kB) . The manifest and site plan must be kept in a red weatherproof container at the main entrance to the site.

Fire fighting measures

Although ammonium nitrate is not combustible it may present a hazard in a fire due to its strong oxidation properties, or through the evolution of toxic and irritating gases from the heat in a fire.

Fire fighting facilities should be compatible with local Queensland Fire and Rescue Service equipment. Fire fighting measures must include:

• access to adequate supplies of water
• being able to extinguish a small fire involving ammonium nitrate immediately with a hose
• access to water spray to cool the adjacent store if a major fire occurs near the store
• being able to direct water spray from a safe distance for large storages of ammonium nitrate
• providing fixed fire detection systems to allow for early detection
• installing fire hose reels where stores exceed 200 m².

Fire fighting measures should be provided in accordance with Section 10 of AS 1674.1:1997 Safety in Welding and Allied Process-Fire Precautions (non-Queensland Government link) . In the event of a fire, call the Queensland fire and Rescue Service and consider evacuation to a safe place where people are not exposed to the fumes or risk from explosion. Consult the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service for more information about fire protection measures.

Top

Emergency planning

Emergency plans are not required to be documented at all workplaces where ammonium nitrate is stored or handled, however it should be regarded as good practice and is recommended even for small quantities.

Emergency plans are required at all places where the quantity of dangerous goods exceeds that shown in the table for manifest quantity.

Emergency plans should identify the types of emergency situations likely to be encountered (e.g. fires, gas leaks for each type of gas, explosion) what resources are required and how people are to respond. Consider also the adequacy of fire fighting systems, access and egress from the site, deciding a safe evacuation assembly area, the need to notify neighbouring places during an emergency, providing and testing alarms, and carrying out regular emergency drills.

Top

Notification

If you store ammonium nitrate is stored in excess of the manifest quantity, notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on the approved form.

Security checklist

Following are some security measures for safe storage and handling for ammonium nitrate storage areas:

Control access

• Escort all customers and visitors in storage areas and loading docks.
• Ensure an identification badge and uniform system is in place to distinguish employees from visitors more readily at large premises.
• Ensure ammonium nitrate is not stored outside or in public access areas overnight.
• If supplying ammonium nitrate, ensure material is not sold to people who are suspected of using it unlawfully.

Alarms

• Have audible and visible strobe alarms.
• Consider installing an alarm monitoring service.
• Protect phone lines or install a service interruption alarm.

Barriers

• Erect fencing to prevent site access.
• Install bars to protect windows.
• Install bollards and chains across driveways after hours.
• Ensure storage is in a locked building where possible.

Inventory management

• Maintain up-to-date inventory to assess quantities present.
• Have a systematic inventory control to monitor outgoing and incoming quantities.
• Inspect storage areas each morning.
• Keep shipping/receiving paperwork in a secure place

Local law enforcement

• Establish contact with local police and fire and rescue services so they are familiar with your site.
• Keep your emergency services manifest and site plans up-to-date with relevant emergency after hours contact numbers.
• Report thefts immediately.
• Report suspicious behaviour immediately to local police officers or if warranted call the 24 Hour National Security Hotline: 1800 123 400.

Lighting and visibility

• Provide adequate exterior lighting around the storage areas.
• Ensure site visibility is not obstructed by shrubs.

Locks

• Have a system to ensure premises are locked up at the close of business and that someone is accountable.
• Provide high security locks for silos and buildings where ammonium nitrate is stored.
• Use deadlocks on doors.
• Ensure fencing complies with AS 1725.
• Ensure keys used to access the site or items such as machinery, hoppers, or storage areas are controlled.

Signage

Install the following security signage in all necessary/appropriate locations on site:

• 'No vehicles beyond this point'.
• 'All visitors must be escorted'.
• 'All visitors report to front office'.
• 'Premises under video surveillance'.

Surveillance

• Install security cameras where appropriate (low visibility areas).
• Provide regular security patrols.

Customer transaction

For businesses supplying ammonium nitrate:

• Know the customer.
• Record customer's name, address, and telephone number (ask for driver's licence if in doubt).
• Only make deliveries if customer can take receipt.
• Be alert to suspicious behaviours:
  • insistence on paying in cash
  • will not take delivery
  • refusal to offer identification when requested
  • insists on ammonium nitrate instead of other products
  • asks unusual questions about the product.

Top