Dangerous Substances Act 1972

Overview

This Republic of Ireland Act contains provisions regarding to the safe handling of explosives, petroleum products and other dangerous substances in an effort to reduce workplace-related incidents. This Act will be important for you and your business if you deal with dangerous substances, and will be important in reducing major accidents in the workplace. it is important to note that Act does not apply to the Defence Forces or to substances held or premises occupied on behalf of the Minister for Defence for civil defence purposes, but applies to all substances held or premises occupied on behalf of the State.

Under this Act: 

• “explosive” means a substance of a kind used to produce a practical effect by explosion or a pyrotechnic effect or anything of which that substance is an integral part;
• “petroleum-spirit” means petroleum which, at normal atmospheric pressure, gives off an inflammable vapour at a temperature of less than 73°F; and
• a dangerous substance for the purposes of this Part is a substance which the Minister by order declares to be such on the ground that in his opinion it constitutes a potential source of danger to person or property.