Dangerous Substances Act

What are dangerous substances?

Dangerous substances are any substances used or present at work that could, if not properly controlled, cause harm to people as a result of a fire or explosion or corrosion of metal.

Dangerous substances include solvents, paints, varnishes, flammable gases, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), dusts from machining and sanding operations, dusts from foodstuffs, pressurised gases and substances corrosive to metal.

Dangerous substances licenses

Under the Dangerous Substances Act 1972 and 1979 a license is required to use dangerous substances. The fee for these licences is payable to local and harbour authorities.

A Dangerous Substance Licence is valid for 1, 2 or 3 years, depending on the type of application sought.

The applicant should re-apply for a new licence 3 months prior to the lapse of existing licence.

Petroleum Licensing

Dublin Fire brigade receives applications regarding petroleum licencing for petrol stations and petroleum stores throughout the city.

Petroleum, for legislation/regulation purposes, is defined as being one of three Classes.

1. Class I Petrol Leaded & Unleaded
2. Class II Kerosene/paraffin
3. Class III Diesel/DERV/Central Heating Oil

The primary legislation in this area is the Dangerous Substances Act 1972 (DSA 1972) and various regulations detailed in the subsequent Statutory Instruments:

• Dangerous Substances Act, 1972 (Commencement) Order, 1979 – S.I. No. 297
• Dangerous Substances (Licensing Fees) Regulations, 1979 – S.I. No. 301
• Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations, 1979 – S.I. No. 311
• Dangerous Substances (Petroleum Bulk Stores) Regulations, 1979 – S.I. No. 313

Amendments to Petroleum Licensing Legislation

• S.I. No. 303 of 1988
• S.I. No. 424 of 1999
• S.I. No. 584 of 2001
• S.I. No. 624 of 2002
• S.I. No. 860 of 2004

For further information on petroleum and explosives visit Dangerous substances.