Is hydrogen safe?

Hydrogen has been safely produced, stored and moved around the world for several decades.

It’s commonly used in the petroleum processing and fertiliser sectors, as well as in food production, the space industry and in industrial chemicals and materials.

The advancements in hydrogen safety have come a long way.

In Queensland we have rules around how hydrogen is stored, used and managed.

Safety considerations

Hydrogen is a flammable gas.

Facilities storing, handling or using hydrogen must take precautions to manage the risks to ensure worker and community safety.

If a leak does occur, hydrogen gas is non-toxic and disperses very quickly into a non-flammable concentration. If a portion of hydrogen gas does ignite, it burns out quickly and does not produce any hot ash.

Safety regulations in Queensland

The Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 and Hydrogen safety code of practice 2023 guide safe use of hydrogen in Queensland. WorkSafe also has laws in place to protect Queenslanders working in hydrogen.

Queensland Government agencies that oversee the regulation of hydrogen are:

• Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate of Resources Safety and Health Queensland
• Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (Office of Industrial Relations)
• Electrical Safety Office (Office of Industrial Relations)

Read more about hydrogen safety regulation.