The safety report represents the key demonstration by an operator that they are aware of the risks associated with their operations and that there is a rigorous system in place to manage those risks. Because of this importance, the effort required by the operator to develop the report and the regulator to review and approve the report is significant.
Operator’s duty to prepare a safety report
The safety report is a legislative requirement. It demonstrates to the Chief Officer that the operator:
- is aware of the risks associated with the operation of the major hazard facility (MHF)
- a rigorous system is in place to manage those risks.
The regulator views the safety report as being a commitment to safety that the operator is accountable to. It is a key instrument to manage safety.
For further information on classification as an MHF, refer to When is a dangerous goods site also a major hazard facility (MHF)?
Submission and approval of a safety report
The safety report is a three-part document that must be submitted to the Chief Officer for approval.
Part A: Notifiable information
Includes information on providing a description of the facility (e.g. facility layout, equipment and processes necessary to be able to identify hazards leading to a major incident).
Part B: Risk assessment
Includes information on undertaking a formal safety assessment (e.g. identification of major incidents and risk assessments aimed at establishing the adequacy of controls against all hazards) and states where the risk assessment documentation is available for inspection (i.e. the safety report does not include all the risk assessment documentation).
Part C: Safety management system
Includes information on the safety management system prepared for the facility (e.g. control measures against hazards and risks) and states where the safety management system is available for inspection (i.e. the safety report does not include all the safety management system documentation).
See Section 4.1 and 4.2 of Development and submission of safety report: Guide. This document provides guidance to operators of major hazard facilities (MHF) for the development of safety reports under the Act and the Regulations. This document is not to be read as a step-by-step instruction on the required contents of a safety report, or how to perform a risk assessment or develop a safety management system.
Applying for approval of a safety report for a major hazard facility (MHF)
Only the safety report is lodged with the department’s Chief Officer for approval but, prior to this, there is extensive assessment and consultation with the proponents on the supporting risk assessment, safety management system description and other verification materials.
See the Submission letter for approval of a safety report: Template. This template is for a covering letter that operators can utilise when submitting a safety report for the approval of the Chief Dangerous Goods Officer.
Approval process
The extensive consultation with the department from an early stage (i.e. time of initial notification) generally eliminates or reduces the need for additional validation once the safety report is submitted for approval by the Chief Officer. However, the Chief Officer may request additional documentation or an on-site assessment to be satisfied that the safety report is appropriate.
Resources and guidance
- Audits, review and continual improvement for major hazard facilities: Guide
Guide to assist operators in the development and ongoing use of audit systems, management reviews and continual improvement - Development and submission of safety report: Guide
Guide for the development and submission of a safety report as required under the Dangerous Goods Safety (Major Hazard Facilities) Regulations 2007 - Providing information to the community : Guide
Guide to assist operators to meet the requirement of communicating and providing information to the community surrounding a major hazard facility - Safety report content map: Template
Template for a content map to assist operators in the development of a safety report. - Submission letter for approval of a safety report: Template
Template for a covering letter that operators can utilise when submitting a safety report for the approval of the Chief Dangerous Goods Officer. - Risk assessment and management including operational risk assessment: Guide
Guide to assist licensees and operators to meet their obligations for effective risk assessment and management, including operational risk assessments.