A major hazard facility (MHF) is an area where dangerous materials are processed, produced, handled, disposed of, used or stored, and the quantity of the materials exceeds a threshold or aggregate quantity as set out in the National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:1014(2002)]. This is available at the australian Safety andCompensation Council web site (www.ascc.gov.au)

The National Standard contains a list of materials (Schedule 1) the presence of which may lead to the facility being considered a MHF. A threshold quantity is provided for each material - if more than this threshold amount is present at a site or the aggregate quantities of several materials exceed a certain limit, then the site will be considered to be an MHF. The National Standard provides for Schedule 1 to be reviewed on a regular basis. The latest review of Schedule 1 was completed in November 2002.

If the site contains any of these materials at quantities of more than 10% of the relevant threshold or aggregate quantity, the relevant public authority must be notified. The authority can potentially classify the facility as MHF even though the quantities are less than the threshold. The authority will, according to section 5.6 of the National Standard, review the following features of the facility, when making its decision as to whether to classify it an MHF:

• 'properties of materials at the facility, including extreme toxicity or environmental hazard, toxic combustion products, toxic hydrolysis products, toxic volatile materials and synergistic effects;
• process and storage conditions, including pressure above atmospheric pressure, temperature above ambient temperature, variety of dangerous goods, container size and level of technology;
• organisational issues, including adequacy of existing hazard controls, organisational quality, major accident and near miss preparedness; and
• off-site issues, including surrounding land use, pipelines, environmental sensitivity and potential for external threat.'

Regardless of the above features, any facility which contains an activity which has the potential to cause a major radioactive, biological or other accident may be classified by the authority as a major hazard facility.

Duties and responsibilities

Operators of MHFs have the following responsibilities:

Undertake and document a systematic risk assessment which so far as practicable:

• identifies all hazards and all events which may lead to a major accident; 
• identifies the type, likelihood and consequences of major accidents that may occur; and
•  assesses the risks posed by those hazards and events.

The operator must, so far as practicable, minimise risks by:

• eliminating or minimising hazards;
• implementing technical measures to minimise the likelihood of a major accident;
• implementing measures to limit the consequences of a major accident; and
• protecting people, property and the built and natural environment from the effects of a major accident by establishing emergency plans and procedures.

The operator must establish, implement and maintain a documented safety management system for the MHF.

The risk assessment and risk controls for the MHF must be reviewed and updated.

Standards and codes of practice

There are two national documents which set standards and guidance for MHFs:

1. National Standard for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:1014(2002)] 

2. National Code of Practice for the Control of Major Hazard Facilities [NOHSC:2016(1996)] 

The Code of Practice provides guidance on how to meet the requirements of the standard.

List of key differences between States

A list of the key differences between the Australian States Major Hazard Facilities legislation is available from the Australian Safety & Compensation Council. (http://www.assc.gov.au/)