Why Is Dangerous Goods Training Important?

A growing number of businesses now deal with potentially hazardous goods on a daily basis. Companies working with oil and gas, household chemicals, pesticides and detergents regularly handle products that have potentially dangerous ingredients. Persons working in these industries need to have the knowledge of handling such items in a safe manner to avoid immediate or long-term health complications.

Personnel who deal with the importation and transportation of dangerous goods in Australia need to undergo dangerous goods training. These training courses are designed to equip workers with the knowledge of what dangerous goods contain and how they can avoid any risks when handling them. It's therefore important for personnel to take the required training courses in order to obtain licences in handling such dangerous goods.

Ensuring compliance with established regulations

There are established rules and regulations that surround the handling of dangerous goods. Undergoing training ensures that you understand these rules and how they will affect your work moving forward.

It's important for people to adhere to the established laws when packing, shipping and unloading these types of cargo. Violation of these rules often results in fines, interruption of the business operations, and potential jail time.

Maintaining safe operations

The top concern for dangerous goods training is ensuring that workers, customers and the environment remain safe. There are several risks that can be posed by dangerous goods. For example, poisonous gases such as ammonia can cause respiratory diseases upon constant exposure. In addition, chemicals such as bleach can affect the skin when they spill, and oil can significantly degrade the soil and water in the event that a leakage occurs. 

With dangerous goods training, personnel can be equipped with the necessary knowledge they need to handle such good safely. More importantly, they can quickly respond to accidents as soon as they occur.

Remaining knowledgeable of potential risk factors

Dangerous goods are not stagnant. New ingredients are used to produce a wide variety of items, from household detergents to fertilisers. With each new ingredient being used, a new risk can potentially arise. Dangerous goods training keeps workers aware of new emergent risks that may arise from the goods that they handle. And because training courses now incorporate the use of technology (training courses can be completed online via interactive web programs), personnel handling these goods can always be prepared for emergent risks.

Improving efficiency

Workers who know how to handle dangerous goods will make the operations of a business more efficient. Less time will be spent on figuring out how to pack, ship and transport these items, and the risk of accidents occurring will be significantly reduced.