What does the term "manifest quantity workplace" mean? A manifest quantity workplace (MQW) denotes a workplace where hazardous chemicals are stored, handled, or utilized in amounts surpassing or expected to surpass the specified manifest quantities outlined in column 5, Schedule 11 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation).
These workplaces, identified in the WHS Regulation, involve the substantial use, storage, and handling of hazardous chemicals, triggering supplementary safety responsibilities for MQWs.
Examples of MQWs
| Example workplace | Reason |
|---|---|
| Service stations/fuel retailers | Petrol >2500 L |
| Fuel depots and distributors | Petrol > 2500 L and/or Diesel >100 000 L |
| Engineering works and gas depots | LP Gas >5000 L, Industrial Gases >10 000 L |
| Water and sewage treatment plants | Chlorine gas >500 L, Corrosives >10 000 L |
| Power stations | Various >10 000 L |
| Chemical manufacturers and formulators | Various >10 000 L |
| Grain depots | Fumigant gases >500 L |
| Health care and aged care facilities, hospitals | LP Gas >5 000 L |
| Industrial manufacturing | Various >10 000 L |
| Warehousing, transport depots | Various >10 000 L |
| Fibreglass manufacturing e.g. pools, boats | Flammable solvents >2500 L |
| Bitumen plants | Kerosene >10 000 L |
| Biofuel manufacturers | Ethanol >2 500 or Biodiesel >100,000 |
| Cold stores, food product processing | Refrigerant gas (Ammonia) > 500 L |
| Rural chemical suppliers and distributors | Toxic substances >2500 kg or L, can be as low as 500 kg or L |
Additional MQW safety obligations include:
- preparing a manifest and site plan for use by emergency services.
- providing the emergency plan to the QFRS for review of the HAZMAT incident management systems.
- notifying WHSQ of the existence of the MQW and providing certain information.
Creating a manifest and site plan In the worker's perspective, a manifest serves as a detailed record outlining specific hazardous chemicals present in the workplace, particularly those with physicochemical hazards and acute toxicity. This document goes beyond a standard register of hazardous chemicals, focusing on providing crucial information to emergency services organizations regarding the quantity, classification, and location of these substances. Additionally, the manifest includes details like site plans and emergency contact information. For accessibility, it is securely stored in a red HAZMAT box positioned at the front entrance of the workplace. (Refer to the QFES Emergency Planning webpage for further details on HAZMAT boxes.)
It's essential for the manifest to adhere to the guidelines outlined in Schedule 12 of the WHS Regulation, and any modifications to the quantity or types of chemicals used, stored, handled, or generated at the workplace should prompt immediate updates.