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DANGEROUS GOODS ACT 1985 - SECT 31A Goods too dangerous to be transported

DANGEROUS GOODS ACT 1985 - SECT 31A

Goods too dangerous to be transported

S. 31A(1) amended by No. 38/2019 s. 5(1).

    (1)     A person must not consign goods for transport if the goods are classified by the regulations as goods too dangerous to be transported.

Penalty:     If the failure results in death or serious injury to a person

        (a)     in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years; or

        (b)     in the case of a body corporate, 9000 penalty units.

In any other case—

        (c)     in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty units; or

        (d)     in the case of a body corporate, 9000 penalty units.

S. 31A(2) amended by No. 38/2019 s. 5(2).

    (2)     A person must not arrange for the transportation of goods on a vehicle owned or controlled by the person if the goods are classified by the regulations as goods too dangerous to be transported.

Penalty:     If the failure results in death or serious injury to a person

        (a)     in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years; or

        (b)     in the case of a body corporate, 9000 penalty units.

In any other case—

        (c)     in the case of a natural person, 1800 penalty units; or

        (d)     in the case of a body corporate, 9000 penalty units.

    (3)     An offence against subsection (1) or (2) is an indictable offence.

Note to s. 31A(3) amended by No. 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 44.8).

Note

However, the offence may be heard and determined summarily (see section 28 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009 ).

    (4)     For the purposes of subsection (1), the person who consigns goods for transport is—

        (a)     the person named or otherwise identified in transport documentation, with the person's authority, as the consignor of the goods; or

        (b)     if no person is so named or identified, the person to whom subsection (5) or (6) applies.

    (5)     This subsection applies to—

        (a)     the person who engages a prime contractor or rail operator, either directly or through an agent or other intermediary, to transport the goods; or

        (b)     if paragraph (a) does not apply to anyone, the person who has possession of, or control over, the goods immediately before the goods are transported; or

        (c)     if neither paragraph (a) nor (b) applies to anyone, the person who loads a vehicle with the goods, for transport, at a place

              (i)     where the dangerous goods are awaiting collection; and

              (ii)     that is unattended (except by the driver) during loading.

    (6)     If subsection (5) does not apply to anyone, this subsection applies to the person who imports the goods into Australia.

S. 31B inserted by No. 66/2008 s. 20.