How do I distinguish between dangerous goods and hazardous substances?
Dangerous goods are substances that have the potential to cause immediate risk to health and safety. Their categorisation has been influenced by their short term or acute hazard potential. To be a dangerous good the substance must be listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods Code. There are specific provisions for the safe transport, storage, handling and use of dangerous goods. Dangerous goods are usually indicated by a diamond and in the case of petrol it is red in colour with a number 3 in the bottom corner. The requirements for dealing with dangerous goods in schools are set out in CSIS, Volume 1, Section 1.3. A hazardous substance is a substance that has the potential to harm the health of people. It can be a single entity or a mixture. To have an effect, a hazardous substance simply has to make contact with or enter the body. High standards for the effective management of risks posed by all hazardous substances are part of the Regulations. Requirements for dealing with hazardous s
