Application information

Notification of an abandoned tank

The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation) requires notification to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) of an abandoned tank used for the storage of flammable liquid or flammable gas.

Abandoned tank

Abandoned tank means an underground, partially underground, or fully mounded tank used to store flammable gases and flammable liquids (e.g. fuels, solvents, and resin solutions) at a workplace where the tank has not been used to store product for two years, or there is no intention to use the tank to store product again. Under public safety provisions of the WHS Regulation, a disused tank storing dangerous goods (i.e. fuel other than a combustible liquid such as diesel) at a premises that is not a workplace, (e.g. private land, council footpath) is also considered an abandoned tank. Based on a tank's internal configuration, an abandoned tank will comprise a single compartment tank as a whole, or an individual compartment of a multi-compartment tank. For a multi-compartment tank, a compartment is considered as a single tank for the purposes of this notification.

Who must notify

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) at a workplace, or a relevant person at a premises other than a workplace, responsible for an abandoned tank has a duty to notify WHSQ of the abandonment.

When to notify

Notification is required as soon as practicable after the tank is abandoned (WHS Regulation 367). A tank is abandoned if either:

• it has not been used to store flammable gases or flammable liquids for two years.
• the PCBU or relevant person does not intend to use it to store flammable gases or flammable liquids again.

Tank means a container, other than an intermediate bulk container (IBC) designed to use, handle or store hazardous chemicals in bulk (i.e. over 500 L), and includes fittings, closures and other equipment attached to the container.

Steps to notify

Submit an abandoned tank notification as soon as practicable after the tank is abandoned or discovered. Do not delay notifying due to incomplete or missing tank technical information or wanting to wait to notify until the tank is removed, or decommissioned. Select Initial Notification in this portal, enter site and technical information available at the time, and submit the notification without delay. Then use this portal to submit a Follow Up Notification with complete site and technical information and supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance with WHS Regulation 366.