(1) For the purpose of
providing practical guidance to persons engaged, directly or indirectly, in
storing, handling or transporting dangerous goods, the Minister may approve
any code of practice as in force from time to time or as in force at a
particular time.
(2) A code of
practice —
(a) may
consist of any code, standard, rule, specification or provision relating to
the storage, handling or transport of dangerous goods published by a body
recognised as having an expertise on the subject; and
(b) may
incorporate by reference any other such document as in force from time to time
or as in force at a particular time.
(3) The Minister may
approve any revision of the whole or any part of a code of practice.
(4) The Minister may
cancel the approval of a code of practice.
(5) The Chief Officer
must —
(a)
publish a notice in the Gazette giving details of any approval or cancellation
made under this section;
(b)
ensure that a copy of every approved code of practice, including any revision
of the code and any document incorporated in it by reference, is available,
without charge, for public inspection; and
(c)
publish a notice in the Gazette giving details of where such documents may be
inspected or obtained.
(6) An approval or
cancellation made under this section comes into force on the day on which
notice of it is published in the Gazette or on a later date specified in the
notice.
(7) A code of practice
approved under this section is a regulation for the purpose of section 42
of the Interpretation Act 1984 .
(8) A person is not
liable in any civil or criminal proceeding only because the person has not
complied with a provision of an approved code of practice.