Safeguard
Dangerous Substances
Ethanol storage and transport
Objective
Storage and processing areas
•
Flammable liquids should be stored in compliant
containers and facilities according to Australian
Standard AS1940: The storage and handling of
flammable and combustible liquids.
•
Flammable liquid storage areas should be clearly
marked with warnings and signs.
•
Flammable liquid containers and tanks should be
clearly and correctly labelled.
•
The bulk storage and transport of ethanol (commonly
known as SVR, Wine Spirit or Grape Spirit) at wineries
carries an associated risk of fire and explosion.
Pipes, hoses, pumps, valves and heaters should be
clearly labelled for identification.
•
The area around storage and processing should be
kept free of combustible materials.
Risk control measures
Ventilation
To provide advice on the potential risks associated with
the storage and transport of ethanol and other flammable
liquids.
Background
Ethanol is a highly flammable liquid (Class 3 Packing
Group II dangerous good).
A thorough risk assessment must be conducted for all
processes related to the manufacture and storage of
flammable liquids such as ethanol. This must include
temporary storage of flammable liquids and consideration
of likely ignition sources, such as welding, grinding and
other hot work, which could cause flammable vapours to
ignite.
The risk assessment must be reviewed immediately if there
is a change to the type, quantity or usage of flammable
liquids on site. For example, the seasonal use of ethanol for
the fortification of wine will need to be included in the risk
assessment.
Safety procedures and any resulting changes must be
communicated to all workers at the site. This includes
drivers delivering products, such as ethanol, who must
also comply with the requirements of the Australian Code
for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail
(ADG Code) for the transfer of flammable liquids, and any
contract workers who attend the site to perform work.
The following risk control measures should be integral to
a risk management plan to minimise the risk of fire and
explosion:
safe, fair, productive working lives
•
Adequate natural cross-flow ventilation should
be maintained in buildings that involve storage or
processing of flammable liquids. If adequate natural
ventilation cannot be achieved, an intrinsically safe
mechanical method of ventilation may be required.
•
Decanting of flammable liquids should be carried out
in a well-ventilated area.
Hot work
•
Any hot work and smoking restriction zones should be
clearly identified and sign-posted, and strictly enforced,
including zones restricting mechanical grinding /
cutting and other ignition sources. Refer to Australian
Standard AS60079: Classification of hazardous areas.
Examples of area classification – Flammable liquids for
further guidance.
•
Hot work such as welding or oxy-cutting should
be authorised by work permit and carried out in
accordance with the Code of Practice – Welding
Processes, which lists comprehensive fire and explosion
precautions.
•
Empty containers must be free of any flammable or
hazardous residues or vapours before work is carried
out. Refer to Safeguard #7 – Welding and Cutting –
Explosion Hazards for further guidance.
Fire safety
•
Fire safety equipment should be provided and
maintained in accordance with the requirements
of AS1940 (e.g. alarm systems, fire extinguishers,
hydrants, hoses, fire blankets).
Training
•
Workers should be instructed and trained in the storage
and handling of dangerous goods, the emergency plan
and the use of safety equipment.
•
Refresher training should be conducted on a regular
basis and updated as necessary.
Deliveries and transfers
•
The bulk transfer of dangerous goods must be carried
out in accordance with Chapter 10.2 of the ADG Code.
•
Persons engaged in transfer of bulk dangerous goods
must ensure that recipient tanks are properly marked.
Further information
Dangerous Substances (Dangerous Goods Transport)
Regulations 2008
Code of Practice – Welding Processes
Safeguard #7 – Welding and Cutting – Explosion Hazards
Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Road and Rail
AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable
and combustible liquids
AS 60079: Classification of hazardous areas. Examples
of area classification – Flammable liquids
© Government of South Australia, 2015 | SG0005-1 FEB 2015
safe, fair, productive working lives
1300 365 255
safework.sa.gov.au
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in this publication, at the time of reading it may not be sufficiently accurate, current or complete
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SafeWork SA accepts no liability for any loss resulting from your reliance on it. To best meet your
work health and safety obligations refer to current Acts, Regulations and Codes of Practice.