Location compliance certificates

If your workplace stores LPG, petrol, diesel or other flammable substances above the threshold quantities, the place where they are kept needs a location compliance certificate. We inspect it, tell you what meets the regulations and what doesn't, and issue the certificate once it does.

Book an inspection

Two 45 kg LPG cylinders chained to a wall outside a building — Two 45 kg LPG cylinders chained to an outside wall. At a site like this the certifier checks separation distances, signage and the fire extinguisher.

Above the thresholds, you need a certificate

Under the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017, a business that stores or uses explosive, flammable, oxidising, toxic or corrosive substances above set thresholds must hold a location compliance certificate for that location. WorkSafe gives these examples of quantities at a single location that would likely need one:

100 kg

of LPG

50 L

of petrol

250 L

of 60% nitric acid in storage

More than these amounts, at one location. The quickest check is WorkSafe's online calculator.

The inspection checks the site and the paperwork

Your certifier checks the location against the regulations that apply to the substances you hold, and looks at the paperwork as well as the site, because both have to be right.

The quantities on site and how they are recorded
Separation distances
Secondary containment
Signage
Fire extinguishers
Your emergency response plan

A certificate usually runs for a year

WorkSafe sets the term. For explosive, flammable and oxidising substances a location compliance certificate is issued for one year, and the certificate holder can apply to WorkSafe to extend that to three years if they meet its requirements. For toxic and corrosive substances, or for less than 300 kg of LPG, a certificate can be issued for up to three years.

We keep track of your expiry date and contact you before it falls due.

Tell WorkSafe before a new site opens

WorkSafe must be notified before a new hazardous substance location is commissioned: at least 30 working days beforehand, or 5 working days for LPG locations. Talk to us early and we can help you plan the site so it passes first time. See compliance advice.

We certify locations holding flammable gases such as LPG (class 2.1.1) and flammable liquids such as petrol and diesel (class 3.1), within the limits of our WorkSafe authorisation (TST100252).

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