Product Overview

Summary: This Dangerous Goods Transportation Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for safely packing, handling and transporting hazardous substances across Australia. It helps your business meet WHS and transport law obligations while protecting workers, the public and the environment from incidents involving chemicals, fuels, gases and other dangerous goods.

Transporting dangerous goods exposes businesses to significant safety, environmental and legal risks if not tightly controlled. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, end‑to‑end framework for managing the movement of dangerous goods by road and related handling activities, from classification, packaging and labelling through to loading, securing, documentation, emergency response and incident reporting. It is written specifically for Australian operations and aligns with WHS duties and key transport regulations so that your teams have one clear, consistent reference point.

The procedure helps organisations move beyond ad‑hoc practices by defining who is responsible for each step, what checks must be completed before a load leaves site, and how drivers and handlers must respond to spills, leaks, vehicle incidents and regulatory inspections. By implementing this SOP, businesses reduce the likelihood of serious incidents, improve readiness for audits, and demonstrate due diligence in managing hazardous chemicals, flammable liquids, compressed gases and other regulated dangerous goods in transit.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent, compliant handling and transport of dangerous goods across all depots, sites and drivers.
• Reduce the risk of spills, fires, explosions and environmental releases during loading, transit and unloading.
• Demonstrate due diligence and alignment with Australian WHS and dangerous goods transport legislation.
• Streamline driver and warehouse training with a single, clear procedure for day‑to‑day operations and emergencies.
• Improve audit readiness and recordkeeping for regulators, clients and insurers.

Who is this for?

• Transport and Logistics Managers
• Fleet Managers
• Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors
• WHS Managers and Coordinators
• Warehouse and Dispatch Supervisors
• Truck Drivers and Delivery Drivers
• Chemical Storepersons
• Operations Managers
• Compliance and Risk Managers
• Contractor and Subcontractor Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Chemical spills and leaks during loading, transit and unloading
• Fire and explosion from flammable or combustible substances
• Toxic gas or vapour release affecting drivers, workers or the public
• Reactivity hazards from incompatible goods loaded or stored together
• Environmental contamination of soil and waterways from dangerous goods
• Manual handling injuries when moving drums, cylinders or IBCs
• Vehicle instability or rollover due to poorly secured or unbalanced loads
• Exposure to corrosive substances causing burns to skin and eyes

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Dangerous Goods Classifications
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Chain of Responsibility
• 4.0 Competency, Licensing and Training Requirements
• 5.0 Pre‑Transport Planning and Risk Assessment
• 6.0 Packaging, Labelling and Placarding Requirements
• 7.0 Documentation, Transport Papers and SDS Management
• 8.0 Vehicle Selection, Inspection and Pre‑departure Checks
• 9.0 Loading, Segregation and Load Restraint Procedures
• 10.0 In‑Transit Requirements, Routing and Security
• 11.0 Unloading and Receipt of Dangerous Goods
• 12.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Safety Equipment
• 13.0 Spill, Leak and Emergency Response Procedures
• 14.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Recordkeeping, Audit and Continuous Improvement
• 16.0 Review, Approval and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail (ADG Code)
• Model Work Health and Safety Regulations – Hazardous Chemicals and General Risk and Workplace Management
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Preparation of Safety Data Sheets for Hazardous Chemicals
• AS 1940: The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
• AS/NZS 1596: The storage and handling of LP Gas
• Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) – Chain of Responsibility (where applicable)