Giant containers of dangerous toxic waste stacked to the ceilings of four Melbourne warehouses are being guarded around the clock.
The liquid chemicals were uncovered on December 28 in warehouses in Epping and Campbellfield following multi-agency investigations into the toxic West Footscray factory fire .
"This is a huge concern as we saw from the west Footscray fire these sites put the community and the environment under huge risk," WorkSafe's Hazardous Industries head Michael Coffey told 3AW on Wednesday.
"At the moment, we're not sure exactly what's in there because basically it's too unsafe for us to enter."
Mr Coffey said since investigations into sites after the August fire started, 103 worksites had been inspected and 157 compliance notices issued, but "we haven't found anything as material as what we've found in Epping and Campbellfield".
The waste is being stored in 1000-litre plastic containers, stacked to the roof and walls of the facilities, Mr Coffey said.
"We'll be conducting further investigations today to identify what the chemicals are and our priority is to safely remove and safely dispose of these chemicals."
The worst-case scenario would be a fire like that at West Footscray, Mr Coffey said, which is why the sites are being guarded.
The Environmental Protection Authority advises the waste is contained and there is no immediate risk to the community, but neighbouring businesses will be alerted.
The EPA has hired security staff since this discovery in December to maintain a 24-hour presence.
It also has mobile air quality monitoring devices in place as a precaution.
Authorities believe it will take several weeks to identify and quantify all of the chemicals.
Mr Coffey said businesses found guilty of deliberately flouting dangerous goods laws face fines of up to $400,000 per offence, but could also be charged under occupational health and safety laws, which can attract penalties of more than $1 million.
The EPA, fire agencies, Victoria Police and WorkSafe have been investigating sites since the chemical fire at West Footscray which burned for days and sent toxins into local waterways.
Australian Associated Press
