Health Services > Statewide and Community Health Services > Population Health Branch

Dangerous goods disposal

Dangerous goods are chemicals or items that can harm people, property or the environment if they are not properly stored, handled and transported. Some of the dangerous goods you are likely to find in small communities are listed in the table below.

The symbol for toxic substances The symbol for corrosive substances The symbol for explosive substances The symbol for flammable gas

There are links to laws covering dangerous goods on the Department of Emergency Services website.

The Department of Employment and Industrial Relations website has links to information sheets, legislation and guides, including:

A guide to the Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act 2001
Dangerous Goods Safety Management Act and Regulation 2001
Storage of Dangerous Goods and Combustible Liquids
Containing spills and cleaning up dangerous goods
Information papers about dangerous goods.

Regulated wastes

Regulated wastes are dangerous goods that are no longer useful. These include used motor oil and dead car batteries. You’ll find the full list of regulated wastes in Schedule 7 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998.

Because regulated wastes can seriously harm people and the environment, they must not be dumped at council rubbish tips. Below are guidelines on how councils can legally store and dispose of common dangerous goods and regulated wastes.

Dangerous goods and regulated wastes in the community

This table lists types of dangerous goods you are likely to find in smaller communities. Beside each are the risks and recommended ways they can be disposed of safely. Stores of dangerous goods and regulated wastes should be monitored regularly by EHWs. When the amount of a particular type is too much for your council to store safely, you should arrange for it to be taken away. This can only be done by a company or authority that is approved under the Regulation to transport and dispose of dangerous goods or regulated wastes.

Dangerous goods	The risks	Safe storage
motor oil	contaminates soil pollutes waterways fuels, fires	Store in metal drums in a lockable shed that has good ventilation. Note: If more than 2000 litres is stored at a time, a specially designed shed will need to be built.
brake fluid	contaminates soil pollutes waterways	Store in metal drums in a lockable shed that has good ventilation.
car batteries	Acids can: burn skin injure eyes corrode metals contaminate soil pollute waterways	Store in a leak-proof containers. These should be corrosion resistant material (eg. heavy duty plastic, not metal).
kerosene and mineral turpentine	starts or fuels a fire dangerous if swallowed or gets into eyes or nose pollutes waterways	Store in metal drums in a lockable shed that has good ventilation.
spray cans (paint, insect sprays, etc.)	can explode if heated or punctured	Store in a cool, child-proof place.
pesticides	poisons (if swallowed) poisons (through skin) contaminates soil pollutes waterways	Store in metal drums in a locked shed that has good ventilation. Note: If more than 2000 litres is stored at a time, a specially designed shed will need to be built.
asbestos	breathing in the loose fibres can cause serious or fatal lung diseases	When removing the asbestos materials: wet the material with water to stop fibres coming loose wrap the material in thick plastic take the material to the tip and bury straight away. (See ‘Note on Asbestos’ below)

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General safety for storage sheds

The following measures need to be in place where dangerous goods are stored in sheds.

The shed should be lockable and weatherproof.
The shed should not be near houses or other buildings.
Do not store different types of dangerous goods in the same container. Have separate containers for motor oil, brake fluid, car batteries, etc.
Keep the area around the shed clean. Keep the grass short and don’t allow rubbish to build up as this can be fuel for an accidental fire.
Prevent flames, sparks and other sources of heat in the shed as these can start fires and explosions (eg. cigarette lighters, matches, motor mowers, generators).
No smoking in or near the shed.
Keep a fire extinguisher near the shed.
Ensure the shed has enough ventilation to allow any fumes to clear.
Keep all drums closed when they are not being used.
Clean up all spills straight away.
Have an emergency response plan (in case of a spill, fire, or explosion).

Please note that there may be laws, standards, guidelines, etc that may be relevant to the dangerous goods you are looking to store. You must comply with these. For more information, contact the Department of Workplace Health and Safety.

Note on asbestos

Asbestos can create serious health problems if the fibres come loose from sheeting and are breathed in. Asbestos is most likely to be found in buildings built before 1990. Demolishing or repairing buildings with asbestos should be done only by qualified professionals. You might also find asbestos in and old rubbish dump site, or it could be brought into the community in second-hand building material.

Useful fact sheets and information on asbestos can be found at:

Need expert advice?

There are many different people who can help you with problems you have with dangerous goods.

Your Environmental Health Coordinator can provide help on planning services to do with dangerous goods.

An EHW or EHO in a nearby local government may be able to tell you about how they have handled, stored or disposed of dangerous goods in their community.

Your nearest Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Regional Office may be able to help you plan for an emergency with dangerous goods.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management may be able to help you work out the best way to dispose of dangerous goods or how to manage environmental problems caused by dangerous goods.