Petrol Tanker Explosion, Maddington
1162. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
I refer the Minister to the recent explosion of a petrol tanker in residential Maddington on 14 May 2009, -
(1) Was the fuel tanker compliant with all relevant Western Australian licenses, including a recent hydrostatic pressure test, as required by the Australian Dangerous Goods code?
(2) When was the fuel tanker last subject to a hydrostatic pressure test?
(3) How many Dangerous Goods tankers currently registered in Western Australia, have been subject to hydrostatic pressure testing certification, both for new initial licences and for license renewals in the years -
(a) 2004-2005;
(b) 2005-2006;
(c) 2006-2007;
(d) 2007-2008; and
(e) 2008-2009?
(4) Does the Minister have confidence in Department of Transport license renewal and Dangerous Goods testing and certification processes, in the light of the recent Auditor-General report into Dangerous Goods, where the Auditor-General states 'the Department is renewing licenses for tankers without ensuring that they are safe for transportation of dangerous goods'?
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied:
(1) Yes
(2) A hydrostatic pressure test of the tanker involved in the Maddington fire was last performed on 24 April 2006. The two and a half year maintenance testing of the tank vents was last performed on 21 October 2008.
(3) (a)-(e) The Department does not keep hydrostatic pressure test records of dangerous goods tankers licensed in WA. The regulations require the dangerous goods transport prime contractors to arrange the testing and to keep records of the tests.
The Dangerous Goods Safety (Road and Rail Transport of non-explosives) Regulations 2007 and the Australian Dangerous Goods Code 7th Edition do not mandate hydrostatic pressure testing of tanker vehicles for flammable liquids. However, maintenance of tanker hatches, vents and valves for flammable liquids must be done every two and a half years.
(4) Questions about the Department of Transport’s licensing system should be referred to the Minister for Transport.
The dangerous goods transport vehicle licensing system has been amended in response to the Auditor General’s report to ensure it meets the requirements of the relevant regulations.
The maintenance of safety equipment on flammable liquid tanker vehicles rests with the tanker operators. The regulations specify that maintenance needs to be done regularly and records must be kept for not less than three years.
In addition to the above, please also note my responses to QON 1161 on this subject.