Hazmat Transport SWMS
Transport of dangerous goods per ADG Code. Includes UN-spec packaging, segregation, manifest documentation, placarding, driver licensing, emergency response plan, spill kit availability.
SWMS variants reference your state’s WHS legislation. Instant download after payment.
Dangerous goods transport covers the transport of dangerous goods by road — moving hazardous materials such as flammable liquids and gases, corrosives, oxidisers and toxic substances, classified and handled under the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. It combines heavy vehicle driving and the Chain of Responsibility with the specific requirements of dangerous goods: the classification, packaging, labelling and placarding, the documentation and emergency information, the driver licensing and training, and the segregation of incompatible goods. This document is written on the basis that dangerous goods transport is carried out by a licensed and trained driver with the Dangerous Goods Code, placarding, documentation and segregation controls in place.
Dangerous goods transport is carried out in connection with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and the Heavy Vehicle National Law, with the goods classified, packaged, labelled and placarded, the dangerous goods documentation and emergency information carried, the vehicle placarded above the placard load, and incompatible goods segregated. The classification and placarding, the documentation, the driver licensing, and the segregation and emergency are the considerations. This document coordinates the Dangerous Goods Code, placarding, documentation and segregation controls so the dangerous goods transport is carried out safely.
Hazards identified
9 hazards covered, sorted by priority.
Fire, exposure or environmental harm from a release or spill
Hazard from incorrect classification, packaging or labelling
Reaction from incompatible dangerous goods transported together
Inadequate emergency response from missing placarding and documentation
Incident from a driver not licensed or trained for dangerous goods
Fire and explosion with flammable dangerous goods
Inadequate response to an emergency without information or equipment
Release from inadequate restraint of the dangerous goods
Exposure and release loading and unloading the dangerous goods
Control measures
Hierarchy-of-controls order: elimination → substitution → isolation → engineering → administrative → PPE.
- 1Administrative: where dangerous goods are transported, classify, package, label, placard and document them to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, with the dangerous goods transport documentation and emergency information carried, vehicle placarding above the placard load, and the driver trained.
- 2Administrative: classify, package and label the dangerous goods correctly to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, using the safety data sheet and the packing group system.
- 3Administrative: segregate incompatible dangerous goods, never transporting incompatible goods together, to prevent a reaction.
- 4Administrative: ensure the driver is licensed and trained for dangerous goods, and carry the dangerous goods documentation and emergency information.
- 5Administrative: manage fire and ignition with flammable goods, and have emergency response equipment and procedures for a release, spill or fire.
- 6Engineering: restrain the load to meet the performance standards of the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, so the load cannot move or fall during transport, with appropriate restraint equipment inspected before use.
- 7Engineering: manage the loading and unloading of the dangerous goods to prevent exposure and release, and manage the vehicle placarding above the placard load.
- 8Administrative: meet the Chain of Responsibility duties under the Heavy Vehicle National Law — the primary duty under section 26C shared across the scheduler, consignor, loader, consignee and operator — recognising these duties cannot be contracted out, and manage fatigue, mass, dimension, load restraint and vehicle standards.
- 9Administrative: all workers must hold the competencies and licences required for the work, including a High Risk Work Licence for forklift operation, a heavy vehicle driver licence for heavy vehicles, and any dangerous goods or other training required.
- 10Administrative: conduct a pre-start toolbox talk covering the day's work, identified hazards, traffic and plant movements, required PPE and emergency procedures, and record attendance in the consultation section.
- 11Administrative: consult workers and any health and safety representatives on the work and its risks, record the consultation, and keep this document available at the workplace.
- 12PPE: high-visibility clothing, eye protection where required, gloves appropriate to the task, hearing protection where required, and Class I or Class II safety footwear with protective toecap to AS/NZS 2210.3.
- 13Administrative: review and update this SWMS whenever the work scope changes, after any incident or near miss, when a worker or health and safety representative raises a concern, when new hazards are identified, or at minimum every 12 months.
Applicable Codes of Practice
The classification, packaging, labelling, placarding and documentation requirements for the land transport of dangerous goods.
The heavy vehicle law, the Chain of Responsibility primary duty, fatigue, mass and load restraint requirements for heavy vehicles.
Management of hazardous chemicals such as battery acid, dangerous goods and landfill gas, including safety data sheets and exposure controls.
The performance standards for restraining loads on vehicles so they cannot move or fall during transport.
The risk management process and hierarchy of controls applied to the hazards of the work.
Who this is for
- →Licensed and trained drivers transporting dangerous goods.
- →Dangerous goods and transport operators.
- →Transport businesses and PCBUs in the Chain of Responsibility.
- →Consignors and loaders of dangerous goods.
- →PCBU safety managers and supervisors coordinating the Dangerous Goods Code and placarding controls.
What you receive
- ✓Editable Microsoft Word document (.docx) fully compatible with Microsoft Word 2016 and newer, Google Docs, and LibreOffice Writer.
- ✓Title page with editable fields for PCBU name, ABN, site or depot address, task or route description, and document revision date.
- ✓Hazard register with the dangerous goods transport hazards — each with a documented consequence, inherent risk rating on a 5x5 likelihood-consequence matrix, hierarchy-of-control measures, and residual risk rating.
- ✓Dangerous goods transport prompts referencing the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and Heavy Vehicle National Law, a classification-and-placarding section, a documentation and segregation section, and an emergency and load-restraint record.
- ✓Licensing and competency prompts for the forklift, heavy vehicle, dangerous goods and other work, and a plant pre-operational and inspection checklist where relevant.
- ✓Worker consultation record per the model WHS Act consultation duty and a worker sign-on register (blank, expandable).
- ✓Applicable legislation and Codes of Practice schedule pre-populated for the model WHS jurisdiction with a state-variance reference table covering the harmonised states, plus Victoria, and the Heavy Vehicle National Law where relevant.
- ✓Emergency procedure template and a revision log.
Worked example
A licensed and trained driver is engaged to transport dangerous goods by road. The goods are classified, packaged, labelled and placarded to the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, using the safety data sheet and the packing group system. Incompatible dangerous goods are segregated, never transported together, to prevent a reaction. The driver is licensed and trained for dangerous goods, and the dangerous goods documentation and emergency information are carried. Fire and ignition with flammable goods are managed, and emergency response equipment and procedures are in place for a release, spill or fire. The load is restrained to the performance standards of the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018. The loading and unloading of the dangerous goods are managed to prevent exposure and release, and the vehicle is placarded above the placard load. The Chain of Responsibility duties are met. The dangerous goods transport is carried out safely, and the records retained.
Related legislation
- Model Work Health and Safety Act — primary duty of care; the duty to consult workers; the reckless-conduct offence; and notifiable-incident provisions, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
- Model Work Health and Safety Regulations — the plant, hazardous manual tasks, hazardous chemicals and High Risk Work Licence provisions, and the Section 291 high risk construction work and SWMS duties where applicable, as enacted in each jurisdiction.
- The Heavy Vehicle National Law and the Chain of Responsibility, the National Transport Commission Load Restraint Guide 2018, and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, apply to heavy vehicles and the transport of dangerous goods, alongside the model WHS framework, and are administered by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and the state and territory dangerous goods regulators.
- Forklift operation requires a High Risk Work Licence (LF or LO class) under each state and territory's licensing scheme, and heavy vehicle driving requires the appropriate heavy vehicle driver licence; dangerous goods drivers require dangerous goods licensing and training.
- Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with the plant, manual handling, hazardous chemicals and high risk construction work provisions applying in place of the model instruments, alongside the Dangerous Goods Act 1985.
Frequently asked questions
What governs dangerous goods transport?
Dangerous goods transport by road is governed by the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, which sets the requirements for the classification, packaging, labelling, placarding and documentation of dangerous goods, alongside the Heavy Vehicle National Law for the vehicle. The Dangerous Goods Code is the rulebook for transporting dangerous goods by road and rail.
What are the dangerous goods classes?
The Dangerous Goods Code classifies dangerous goods into nine classes — including explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidisers, toxic substances, radioactive material, corrosives and miscellaneous — using the safety data sheet and the Code's product list. The goods are classified, packaged and labelled correctly to their class.
Why must incompatible goods be segregated?
Incompatible dangerous goods can react if transported together, so they are segregated and never transported together, to prevent a reaction. Segregating incompatible dangerous goods is a key control in dangerous goods transport, preventing a dangerous reaction between incompatible goods.
What documentation is required?
The dangerous goods transport documentation and emergency information are carried, and the vehicle is placarded above the placard load, so that the goods are identified and an emergency can be responded to. The documentation, emergency information and placarding support the safe transport and emergency response for the dangerous goods.
Who transports dangerous goods?
Dangerous goods transport is carried out by a licensed and trained driver in connection with the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and the Heavy Vehicle National Law, with the Dangerous Goods Code, placarding, documentation and segregation controls. The goods are classified, placarded and documented, and incompatible goods segregated.