Agsafe blog: Understanding Placarding best practices
Placarding at agricultural and veterinary (AgVet) retail premises plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe storage of AgVet chemicals. It provides clear visual warnings and essential information to workers, visitors, and emergency service personnel. Proper placarding not only enhances workplace safety but also ensures compliance with relevant regulations. This article explores the key considerations for placarding, including when placards are required, where they should be placed, and how they should be maintained to ensure clarity and effectiveness.
What is Placarding?
Placarding refers to the signage affixed to buildings, gates and other entrances to a site when dangerous goods or hazardous chemicals exceed the jurisdiction’s prescribed placarding quantity. The purpose of placarding includes:
Alerting personnel to the presence of dangerous goods.
Identifying dangerous goods stored in bulk (e.g., tanks).
Indicating storage areas containing significant quantities of dangerous goods in packages.
Highlighting the hazards associated with stored chemicals.
Key Placarding considerations
To support businesses in following best practices, premises handling dangerous goods should implement and maintain appropriate placarding as specified below.
1. Maintain a Dangerous Goods Manifest
Each premises should develop and maintain a Manifest of Dangerous Goods and Combustible Liquids (Category 4 Flammable Liquids), detailing:
The peak quantities of each class of dangerous goods by packing group.
Where a product also has a sub class this should also be indicated
The peak quantity of combustible liquids stored on-site.
Note: The peak quantity manifest is essential to determine the placarding and notification or licensing requirements for a premises. The emergency information manifest located in the Emergency Information Container at the entrance to the site must be reflective of the actual quantities stored and hence needs to be updated regularly.
2. Identify Placard quantities
Determine whether the peak quantity of any Dangerous Good Class exceeds the prescribed placard quantity as defined by the relevant jurisdictional regulations.
3. Outer warning Placards (HAZCHEM signs)
If the peak quantity of a Class of Dangerous Goods or Combustible Liquids exceeds the placard threshold, an Outer Warning Placard (HAZCHEM) should be placed at each workplace entrance where emergency services might enter.
Lettering: 'HAZCHEM' in red, minimum 100mm high, on a white or silver background.
4. Storage area Placards for Dangerous Goods
If the quantity of a specific class of Dangerous Goods exceeds the placarding threshold, placards displaying the class label (as per the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code) should be posted:
At each entrance to a building or storage area where the chemicals are stored.
As close as practicable to the main entrance of the building where chemicals are stored.
At each room or walled section storing hazardous chemicals.
5. Placards for Combustible Liquids (category 4 Flammable Liquids)
Where the quantity of Combustible Liquids exceeds the placarding threshold:
If stored with Class 3 Flammable Liquids, display a Class 3 placard.
If stored separately from Class 3 Flammable Liquids, use a Combustible Liquid placard in compliance with the regulations.
6. Placarding for Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs)
If hazardous chemicals are stored in IBCs and not intended for on-site use, each IBC should display an Emergency Information Panel (placard) per the ADG Code.
7. Additional Placarding considerations for South Australia
Premises in South Australia storing Dangerous Goods Class 6.1 (Toxic Substances) or Class 8 (Corrosive Substances) and requiring a licence should display placards:
At each entrance to the storage area.
At every entrance to buildings containing dangerous goods.
At the property entrance.
Placards in South Australia should be at least 250mm x 250mm.
General Placard maintenance and visibility
To ensure compliance and effectiveness, all placards should:
Be in good condition and clearly visible.
Be separate from any other sign or writing that could contradict or distract from it.
Be removed if stored quantities no longer exceed placarding requirements.
Types of Placards to consider
Depending on the storage setup, a premises may require the following placards:
Outer warning placards: Displayed at entrances to the site when dangerous goods quantities exceed limits.
Bulk storage placards: Placed on or near bulk storage tanks.
Packaged dangerous goods placards: Displayed at entrances to storage buildings or external storage areas.
IBC placards: Required on IBCs intended for transport.
Prescribed Placarding quantities
Placarding thresholds for dangerous goods are defined by specific state and territory regulations, including:
Schedule 11, Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations – NSW, SA, ACT, NT, QLD, TAS.
Schedule 2, Dangerous Goods (Storage & Handling) Regulations 2012 – VIC.
Schedule 1, Dangerous Goods Safety Regulations 2007 – WA.
Location and placement of Placards
Placards should be positioned as follows:
Outer warning placards: Clearly visible at every workplace entrance.
Storage area placards: Displayed inside the workplace at relevant storage locations.
Indoor storage placards: Placed at main entry points, room entrances, or adjacent to storage areas.
Outdoor storage placards: Located next to storage areas or affixed to external tanks.
Separate placement: Placards should not be obstructed or confused with other signage.
Common mistakes to avoid
While placarding is essential, mistakes can lead to compliance issues and safety hazards. Some common errors include:
Using damaged or faded placards that are difficult to read.
Placing placards in locations that are obstructed or not easily visible.
Failing to update or remove placards when storage quantities change.
Real-world benefits of proper Placarding
Correct placarding provides multiple benefits, including:
Enhanced emergency response: Firefighters and hazmat teams can quickly assess risks.
Legal compliance: Avoids fines and ensures businesses meet regulatory expectations.
Workplace safety: Reduces accidents and exposure risks for employees.
Environmental protection: Helps prevent spills and contamination by clearly identifying hazardous substances.
Who is responsible for Placarding?
Site managers, business owners, and safety officers are responsible for ensuring correct placarding is in place. Regular inspections should be conducted to verify that placards remain visible and in good condition. This includes periodically reviewing and updating placarding as storage conditions change, as well as training staff to recognise and report missing or damaged placards. Maintaining clear and accurate placards helps to uphold safety standards and ensures compliance with relevant regulations.
Conclusion
Proper placarding is essential for ensuring workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and effective emergency response. Clear and well-maintained placards help protect workers, visitors, and first responders by providing vital hazard information at key locations. By following best practices for placarding, businesses can reduce risks, improve operational safety, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible chemical management.