Vic toxic waste removal to take months

Victoria's work safety watchdog has taken over control of an operation to remove dangerous chemicals stored at a number of sites in Melbourne's north.

The work safety watchdog has taken over control of dangerous chemicals being stored at Melbourne warehouses to ensure they are safely removed.

The toxic waste, including flammable liquids, is being unsafely stored at eight sites in Epping and Campbellfield and is being guarded around-the-clock.

WorkSafe is leading the operation to remove the chemicals, supported by the Environment Protection Agency, fire agencies and local councils.

Planning for the removal has started and the process of getting rid of the chemicals is expected to take months, WorkSafe says.

Fire prevention measures will be increased in preparation for the removal and to avoid a repeat of last year's toxic West Footscray factory fire, prompting the investigation which uncovered the latest sites.

The containers were uncovered on December 28 in the multi-agency investigations.