Gas and chemical storage safety tips

Four essential steps for safe gas and chemical storage in strata communities

Hazardous chemicals and gases are often present in residential communities, primarily for tasks such as cleaning, gardening, pool maintenance, and building upkeep. They are defined as any substance, mixture, or article classified under a hazard category in the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. While these substances are essential to many operations, they also pose serious risks if not managed correctly. Improper handling or storage can result in fires, explosions, toxic exposures, and long-term health effects.

That’s why safe storage isn’t just a best practice, it’s a legal and operational necessity. But before chemicals can be stored safely, they must be correctly classified, clearly labelled, and accompanied by an accurate safety data sheet (SDS). These steps help identify the chemical’s hazards, communicate risks to users, and guide decisions about how and where the substance should be stored. Knowing the basics of handling hazardous chemicals is key to protecting people, property, and the environment.

This guide, designed for strata, owners corporations, body corporate managers, committee members, and caretakers, breaks down the essentials into four clear steps and outlines key responsibilities under Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations and explains how classification, labelling, and SDSs support safe storage. By following these steps, you can actively reduce risk, meet compliance obligations, and contribute to creating a safer shared environment.

Work Health and Safety (WHS)

Further guidance on work health and safety and restricted hazardous chemicals is available in the WHS Regulations model provided by Safe Work Australia.

This guide outlines the four essential steps to store gas and chemicals safely.

Why is it important to safely store hazardous chemicals?

Safe storage is the foundation of chemical safety on common property. Whether you’re working with gases, liquids, or solids, hazardous chemicals can pose serious risks, even when not in use. Improper storage can lead to fires, explosions, toxic exposure, and serious long-term health issues like nerve damage or cancer. To prevent these risks, chemicals should be:

Correctly classified to identify their hazards.
Clearly labelled to communicate those hazards.
Stored in appropriate containers and systems.
Documented and signposted to inform users and emergency responders.

Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, communities that store or use hazardous chemicals are encouraged to identify these substances. They should also provide clear safety information that is easily accessible to anyone responsible for or handling them.

Records and signage

Accurate records and clear signage are essential for maintaining a safe chemical storage environment. Under WHS regulations, you should:

Maintain a register of all hazardous chemicals, regardless of quantity.
Display placards to warn of chemical dangers.
Provide manifests and placards for chemicals stored above certain thresholds to assist emergency services.

Managing incompatible chemicals

Some hazardous chemicals are incompatible with others and can react dangerously when stored together. This can lead to explosions, the release of toxic gases, or the corrosion of containers. To reduce these risks:

Identify incompatible substances.
Store them separately in clearly marked areas.
Use SDSs and classification data to guide segregation.

Proper separation helps prevent incidents and limits the impact of any emergency involving stored chemicals.

Guidance and compliance

Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace

Safe Work Australia’s Model Code of Practice offers practical guidance on managing chemical storage risks and helping businesses comply with their WHS obligations. The code covers:

Workplace exposure standards.
Chemical registers.
Labelling requirements.
Safety data sheets (SDS).
Health monitoring.
Emergency planning.
Risk control measures.

Note: This code does not apply to the transport of dangerous goods or explosives. Check with your local WHS regulator to confirm its legal status in your jurisdiction.

Step 1: Chemical classification

Before hazardous chemicals and gases can be safely stored, they should first be correctly classified. Classification means identifying the chemical’s specific hazards, such as flammability, toxicity, or corrosiveness. This information forms the basis for safe storage decisions, proper labelling, and the creation of accurate safety data sheets (SDS). In Australia, chemical classification must follow the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. While manufacturers and importers are responsible for classifying chemicals under GHS Revision 7 (GHS 7), you play a key role in this information being available, understood, and used to guide safe storage on common property.

Why classification matters for storage safety

Correct classification helps to:

Store chemicals in suitable containers and conditions.
Identify and separate incompatible substances.
Provide labels and SDSs that accurately reflect each chemical’s risks.
Enable emergency responders and workers to act quickly and safely during an incident.

Tools to support classification

The National Guide for Classifying Hazardous Chemicals helps manufacturers and importers meet their obligations, and provides practical guidance on:

How to classify hazardous chemicals.
How to prepare compliant labels.
How to develop accurate safety data sheets.

By following this guide, you can help make sure every chemical entering the common property is properly assessed and documented. This lays the groundwork for safe storage and handling.

The National Guide for classifying hazardous chemicals

This guide helps manufacturers and importers correctly classify hazardous chemicals according to the Work Health and Safety Regulations.

Step 2: Labelling chemicals

Once a chemical has been correctly classified, the next step is to communicate those hazards clearly. This is where labelling comes in. Labels help anyone handling or storing the chemical recognise its hazards at a glance. Whether it’s flammable, toxic, or corrosive, without proper labelling, even well-stored chemicals can become a serious safety risk. In Australia, manufacturers and importers are legally required to label hazardous chemicals in accordance with the Globally Harmonised System (GHS), using Revision 7 (GHS 7). These labels should include:

Hazard identification.
Classification information.
Safe handling and storage instructions.

While you may not be responsible for creating labels, you should make sure that any chemicals stored on common property are properly labelled and easy to understand. This helps contractors, cleaners, and emergency responders stay safe and informed.

Why labelling matters for storage safety

Labels are not just for compliance; they’re essential for preventing accidents.

When chemicals are stored:

Workers need to know what’s inside each container.
Emergency responders rely on labels to assess risks during incidents.
Incompatible chemicals must be identified and kept apart to avoid dangerous reactions.

Poor or missing labels can lead to chemicals being mishandled, stored incorrectly, or mixed in an unsafe manner. These factors increase the risk of fire, explosion, or exposure.

Transport vs. workplace labelling

Hazardous chemicals may need to be transported to or from common property, for example, by contractors or suppliers. In these cases, it’s important to understand the difference between transport labels and workplace labels, and how they interact.

Workplace labels follow the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) and are used to communicate risks to people handling chemicals on-site.
Transport labels follow the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code and are designed to alert transport workers and emergency responders to hazards during transit.

If a chemical is both hazardous in the workplace and dangerous during transport, labels must be managed carefully:

You can substitute a GHS pictogram with an ADG class label if they represent the same hazard.
You can include both GHS and ADG labels if they represent different hazards.
You should not use both a GHS pictogram and an ADG class label for the same hazard.

When combining labels, make sure they meet the minimum size requirements outlined in the ADG Code. This helps visibility and compliance during transport and on-site use.

Model Code of Practice: Labelling of workplace hazardous chemicals.

Further guidance on GHS and ADG pictograms, as well as examples of compliant labels that support both safe storage and legal compliance, is available in the Code of Practice provided by Safe Work Australia.

Step 3: Safety data sheets (SDS)

While labels provide a quick overview, SDSs offer more detailed information. SDSs are developed using classification and labelling information and include detailed guidance on safe handling, storage, and emergency response. In a residential setting, SDSs are more than just compliance documents, they’re practical tools. They help you understand the risks associated with each chemical, make informed decisions about where and how to store them, and provide contractors, cleaners, and emergency responders with the necessary information to stay safe. Every hazardous chemical stored on common property should have an up-to-date SDS that’s easy to access and clearly linked to the product it refers to.

Each SDS provides detailed information about a chemical’s properties, hazards, and safe handling procedures. This supports safe storage by helping you and your workers:

Identify the chemical

Know precisely what you’re working with, including its ingredients and physical characteristics.

Understand the risks

Learn about health hazards (like burns or poisoning), physical dangers (such as fire or explosion), and environmental impacts.

Store it safely

Follow specific instructions for storage conditions, incompatibilities, and containment.

Respond to emergencies

Know what to do in case of a spill, exposure, or fire (including first aid measures).

Stay compliant

Meet workplace exposure standards and legal obligations under WHS regulations.

Unlike labels, which provide limited information, SDSs offer a complete picture of a chemical’s risks and requirements. They are essential for conducting risk assessments, training workers, and planning emergency responses.

SDSs and your legal duties

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are essential for managing hazardous chemicals safely. While manufacturers and importers are responsible for preparing SDSs that meet Australian standards, you have a duty to make sure SDSs are available, accessible, and up to date for any hazardous chemicals stored or used on common property. Here’s what that means in practice:

SDSs must be available at the time of first supply and whenever requested by workers, contractors, or emergency responders.
They must be kept current, reviewed at least every five years, and updated whenever new information becomes available.
Each SDS must match the chemical in use, so always check that the product name on the SDS aligns with the label on the container.
SDSs should be included in your hazardous chemical register, which must be accessible to anyone who may be exposed to the chemical.

By keeping SDSs accurate and accessible, you help promote safe handling, informed decision-making, and compliance with WHS regulations.

Model Code of Practice: Preparation of safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals

Further guidance on how to develop SDSs for chemicals intended for use, handling, or storage in workplaces is available in the Code of Practice provided by Safe Work Australia.

Step 4: How to store hazardous chemicals safely

Once hazardous chemicals have been classified, labelled, and documented with SDSs, the next step is to store them in a way that minimises risk. Safe storage is one of the most critical aspects of chemical management on common property. Improper storage can lead to serious incidents, even if the chemicals aren’t being actively used. To prevent these risks, communities must apply safe storage practices that comply with WHS regulations. This includes using:

Appropriate containers that are sealed, durable, and compatible with the chemical.
Storage and handling systems that prevent leaks, spills, and unauthorised access.
Clear signage and placards to alert users and emergency responders to potential hazards.

If hazardous chemicals are stored in quantities exceeding certain thresholds, a manifest must be maintained and placards displayed to support emergency response. Bulk storage may also trigger additional requirements, and regulations can vary between states and territories. Always check with your local WHS regulator for specific guidance.

Chemicals must be stored in containers that are:

In good condition.
Compatible with the chemical.
Clearly distinguishable from food or drink packaging.

For flammable gases or gases under pressure, containers must:

Be under 500 kg or 500 L.
Comply with the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code.

For other hazardous chemicals, containers should be:

Under 500 kg or 500 L or stored in an intermediate bulk container (IBC).

Underground storage

Tanks must be emptied and removed if underground storage is no longer used. Tanks used for flammable gases or liquids that remain empty for two years are considered abandoned, and you must notify your WHS regulator.

Storage and handling systems should:

Be used only for their intended purpose.
Be assessed for safety before use.
Be supported by proper training for safe operation.

Systems should be emptied before disposal. If that’s not possible, label them as if they still contain hazardous chemicals.

Bulk storage

You are considered to be storing chemicals in bulk if:

The container holds more than 500 L or 500 kg, or the chemical is a solid stored in an undivided quantity over 500 kg.

Bulk containers should:

Display placards in accordance with WHS Regulations.
Be securely fixed to foundations or supports to prevent movement.

Flammable substances, asphyxiants, and combustible dusts

These substances require special attention due to their potential to create hazardous atmospheres. Your WHS duties include:

Maintaining safe storage in confined spaces.
Using compatible containment systems to prevent spills.
Restricting access and supply to individuals under 16 years of age.

Common flammable liquids in residential settings include:

Fuels.
Solvents and thinners.
Alcohols.
Oil-based paints.
Resins.

By following these storage guidelines, workplaces can significantly reduce the risk of chemical incidents and remain compliant with national safety standards.

Never dispose of hazardous chemicals in regular rubbish, recycling bins, or down drains. Use council-organised Household Chemical CleanOut events or permanent drop-off sites at recycling centres. For major spillages, contact a licensed hazardous waste disposal company for professional collection and treatment.

Under WHS Regulation 357, a spill containment system must be in place to safely manage spills, prevent incompatible chemicals from mixing, and facilitate cleanup and disposal.

Need help? Our Community Select service gives you quick access to trusted chemical and hazardous waste cleanup services, making compliance easier.

PICA Group tip: Proper disposal of hazardous chemicals

Further guidance on how to dispose of hazardous chemicals is available in the Code of practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace by Safe Work Australia.

Conclusion

Community Health & Safety is here to help.

Storing hazardous chemicals and gases safely is not just a regulatory requirement. It is critical to protect people, prevent incidents, and maintain a safe shared environment. Effective storage begins with understanding each chemical’s hazards, communicated through proper classification, labelling, and SDSs. Following a straightforward process from hazard identification to compliant storage helps reduce risk, meet WHS obligations, and improve emergency response. Whether you’re overseeing cleaning supplies, pool chemicals, or contractor materials, investing in safe storage and clear communication helps protect your community and strengthens your operations.

Disclaimer:

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. This guide is created by PICA Services Pty Ltd ABN 70 651 941 114 (PICA Group). Community Health & Safety is a part of the PICA Group. Usage of Community Health & Safety services may be subject to charges. We advise you to fully understand the terms of service or agency agreement and any potential fees associated before utilising this service. While PICA Group has taken every reasonable care in compiling the information in this flyer, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience only. PICA Group does not endorse or accept any responsibility for these websites’ content, use, or availability. PICA Group accepts no liability for any loss or damage caused by the use of or reliance on the information contained in this flyer or any links or third-party websites.

This guide has been adapted and derived from Safe Work Australia materials in July 2025 under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0), as listed below. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. (SafeWork Australia). © Commonwealth of Australia.

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