Commercial
There are currently six sets of regulations on dangerous goods handling and transportation in Western Australia. In a few months time, these will be consolidated in one uniform reform, whose goal is to enhance safety, Bill Marmion, Mines and Petroleum Minister, announced recently.
Safety will always be a priority and “The changes are aimed in modernizing and streamlining existing processes, without compromising the needs of both operators and regulators,” Marmion added.
During the first quarter of 2014, a review on the Dangerous Goods Safety Act of 2004 was commissioned by the Minister, to capture different views and opinions from government and industry agencies. From this consultation, 16 recommendations were collected and the Department of Mines and Petroleum will prepare a specific and detailed implementation plan.
“While regulations on dangerous goods will be streamlined and simplified into one set of rules, our main goal is to maintain and improve existing standards on its handling and transportation.
“The changes are risk – based on focused on possible outcomes, in line with the safety reforms introduced by the Liberal National Government on the resources industry.”
Some of the improvements include creating a digital porta of dangerous goods to speed up flow of information, improve transparency, and faster licensing.
Recommendations from the review of the Dangerous Goods Safety Act of 2004 are already on their way for implementation, although it may take up to three years for completion.